Innovation Manager - FMCG

My client is a market leading FMCG / Consumer business who are looking to recruit a pro-active Innovation Manager. You will be joining a rapidly growing and progressive business where you will have the responsibility for the commercial strategy and project management across all core operating areas of the business. Key Responsibilities: Develop and embed the product innovation process in collaboration with colleagues in Marketing and Operations to create a robust, simple and agile process.Develop and maintain documentation and systems relating to management of the product innovation process e.g. stage gate documentation, key diagnostics, on-line information systems and tools.Facilitating a quarterly meeting of key stakeholders to stimulate new ideas.Provide recommendations to business leaders on which projects to activate through the stage-gate process (as part of annual planning cycle and monthly commercial review) - based on strategic fit, opportunity, time for delivery, resource requirements, and commercial priorities.Identify opportunities, risks, and resource requirements whilst obtaining an objective and critical view of commercial projects.Engage and motivate cross-functional stakeholders by articulating proposed next steps and decisions, to ensure that all issues are dealt with at pace.Manage projects to successful launch and review establishing cross-functional project teams for each innovation project.In partnership with the project team, define for each project the key criteria and timings for each stage.Leading a post-launch review of projects - capturing key learnings and transferring them into future projects e.g. resource planning, timelines, and revenue realisation. To champion the company's Mission, Aims, Objectives and Values. Your skills and experience should include: Commercial background in a leading, progressive FMCG company.Leadership / stakeholder management in cross-functional environments. Functional knowledge of project management techniques, stage-gate approach etc. A broad cross-functional understanding and an ability to 'join-the-dots' across complex projects to identify opportunity, risks or obstacles to the desired outcome, and articulate recommended actions.Personal gravitas, confidence, and resilience - ability to influence and engage with the senior team, and raise challenges if required for discussion and resolution.Strong project management skills and organisation.Business 'savvy'. Adjacency provides permanent and interim management recruitment services to a wide range of clients. We source exceptional talent.We deliver a robust, value added approach to every campaign we undertake; connecting the right people to the right career option.We bring expertise and resources to successfully deliver upon Finance, Sales & Marketing, Human Resources and Operations remits up to Board level appointments. Each assignment is dealt with by discipline specialists, with current market knowledge, who will deliver a shortlist incorporating exceptional people from a diverse and multicultural talent pool.