Innovation Manager

Responsibilities:

• Identify opportunities for new product development and innovation within alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
• Apply fresh insights to collaborate with stakeholders for innovative solutions.
• Build distinctive innovation brands through consistent execution of brand purpose.
• Collaborate with an agile network of internal and external specialists to shape and utilize innovative strategies that generate tangible value for all stakeholders, driving a positive impact on the pace of innovation growth. 
• Lead the development and nurturing of breakthrough concepts for complex projects.
• Develop and execute innovative strategies that support revenue growth.
• Ensure timely delivery of new products through cross-functional teams.
• Manage the entire product development process from ideation to launch, ensuring quality, cost, and time-to-market targets are met.
• Deliver scalable innovations that meet the needs of the market through a broad search and spin or search & scout approach across Global brands, Global commercial initiatives & external innovation brands.
• Create robust & accurate volume forecasts based on clear assumptions using the relevant tools liaising with internal stakeholders (CP&R, Innovation Incubator & Commercialization Manager )
• Set clear KPIs and continuously monitor them to identify issues and opportunities.
• Manage agencies to develop creative strategies.
• Manage relationships with external vendors, suppliers, and partners to support innovation efforts.
• Stay up to date with emerging trends, technologies, and innovations.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.

Requirements:

• University degree or MBA with Marketing or Strategy Focus (MBA is an added advantage).
• Minimum academic qualification of a Bachelor's Degree preferred with 5 years of relevant work experience.
• Proven and strong Brand, or Project Management experience.
• Strong experience in creative/production processes, design and implementation, research, and development.
• Team leader with ability to build strong relationships and drive success.
• Experience working with and successfully managing 3rd party agencies and strategic partners.
• High level of personal organization and attention to detail
• Autonomy and ability to drive own agenda.
• Good strategic thinker with desire to make impact.
• Strong passion for developing brands and ability to influence stakeholders with confidence.
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills to understand consumer needs emotionally and rationally.
• Proven experience in developing and launching successful innovations and shaping high-level strategies through cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, coupled with a willingness to be hands-on.
• Proficiency in growth modeling tools, brand architecture, portfolio management, strategic pricing, and financial reporting tools.
• Expertise in culture, consumer, shopper, category, customer, and channel understanding and insight translation to strategy.
• Understand the scale & importance of projects in the overall pipeline and make recommendations on prioritization needed to sustain portfolio growth.
• Creative and innovative thinking.
• Strong business acumen with a flair for the commercial
• Solid analytical and influencing skills.
• Thorough and creative problem-solving abilities, strong verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Must be able to manage multiple initiatives with a strong execution orientation and proper project management abilities.
• Computer Literacy (Word, Excel, Power Point …)
• Previous innovation and growth management experience in an FMCG