Innovation Manager

Job Description

A collective energy and ambition. A place where you can make a real difference.

We’re a company that genuinely cares about our people, our products, our consumers and the environment.

Our unique, informal culture champions courage, determination and collaboration. Knowing we have an open and supportive team means each of us has the freedom to take responsibility and ownership. We have a shared passion to work hard, innovate and push boundaries.

United by the belief that when we strive for growth, anything is possible. While we might not be the largest company in our industry, we believe we can have the biggest impact because: Together We Have the Power to Win.

Are you an experienced Innovation Manager with extensive experience of the FMCG industry searching for a new exciting challenge?

If the answer is yes- then look no further, Church & Dwight UK Ltd have an exciting opportunity for an Innovation Manager to join our team on a permanent basis at our London Euston office with Hybrid working available.

The principle purpose of this role is to support the Head of Innovation to develop a pipeline of winning new products to drive annual business performance.  Working across our portfolio of personal care and beauty brands, you will be accountable for generating and identifying powerful consumer insights and new product concepts. You will be responsible for the successful commercialisation of the NPD by working closely key partners in Marketing, R&D, Procurement, Project Management and Manufacturing.

Key responsibilities include:

• Innovation management and strategy: Generating and identifying consumer insights and new product concepts, as well as developing a long-term innovation strategy and pipeline for the personal care, health care and beauty brands portfolio.

• Consumer research and concept development: Initiating and overseeing consumer research to define unmet needs and white space opportunities, as well as creating winning new product concepts in collaboration with Marketing and R&D.

• Commercialisation and project leadership: Leading the development of business cases and presenting project progress at Gate Meetings to gain approval for new products, as well as defining the brief and overseeing the development of new packaging and testing.

• Leadership and management skills: The role demands strong leadership throughout the development and Stage Gate process, as well as the ability to forge cross-functional relationships, plan and control expenditure, and partner with international stakeholders.

The ideal candidate for the Innovation Manager role should have extensive experience in consumer goods (personal care) and a proven track record in delivering strategic NPD that demonstrate measurable success. You should also have widespread exposure to and understanding of the technical aspects of developing and manufacturing consumer personal care products, as well as mastery in the identification and usage of consumer insights. Additionally, you should have strong experience in briefing, preparing and managing research, as well as in packaging development.

The Innovation Manager role requires a flexible and creative individual who can think strategically and use initiative, as well as collaborate and communicate effectively with internal and external partners. You will have a 'can do' pragmatic attitude, a strong personal drive to achieve, and a high level of commercial and financial awareness and will be committed to driving change, comfortable with managing conflicts, and able to handle challenges with a positive and energetic attitude.

This role works 37 hours per week Monday-Friday.

In return we offer a competitive package, including 24 days annual leave, a pension matched up to 9%, discretionary annual bonus, life assurance cover and membership of a health cash plan.

This is a great opportunity to work with recognisable global brands and to see your work in the real world. Sounds interesting? Send us your CV and let’s talk

For more information on our company, our brands and our culture visit us at http://www.churchdwight.co.uk/

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