Innovation Manager
6 days ago
Blackburn
Are you a hands-on innovation expert with a passion for pets? Ready to shape the future of some of the UK’s most loved pet brands? This is an exciting opportunity to join a leading pet food and accessories manufacturer with over 135 years of expertise and an ambitious growth agenda. We’re looking for a commercially minded, creative Innovation Manager to lead New Product Development (NPD) and Existing Product Development (EPD) projects from concept through to launch - driving innovation across a diverse and growing portfolio. About the Role Reporting to the Innovation Controller, you’ll play a pivotal role in delivering the innovation pipeline across multiple brands and categories. You’ll take ownership of projects end-to-end, bringing ideas to life, working cross-functionally, and ensuring successful launches that meet both consumer needs and commercial goals. What You’ll Be Doing • Lead NPD & EPD projects from concept to launch across product and packaging, • Develop and deliver innovation through a stage & gate process, • Identify new opportunities using consumer, shopper, and market insights, • Create and manage critical paths, ensuring projects land on time, • Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Brand, R&D, Commercial, Procurement, and Operations, • Develop compelling product propositions with clear target audiences, • Manage supplier relationships and support production trials, • Build and present sell-in decks to internal stakeholders and major retailers, • Monitor market trends and competitor activity to drive continuous innovation, • Contribute to “big bet” innovation projects and launch strategies What We’re Looking For You’re a strategic thinker who loves getting stuck in. You’re just as comfortable analysing data as you are presenting big ideas. Essential experience: • Degree in Marketing or similar, • 4+ years in innovation / NPD roles within FMCG or a brand-led business, • Proven track record of delivering product launches from concept to market, • Strong experience with stage & gate processes and critical path management, • Commercial acumen, including costings, pricing, and profitability, • Experience working with retailers (especially grocery), • Strong stakeholder management across internal teams and external partners You’ll also be: • Highly organised and able to manage multiple complex projects, • Creative, proactive, and solutions-focused, • Confident presenting to senior stakeholders and retailers, • Comfortable working in a fast-paced, high-growth environment, • A genuine pet lover