Innovation Manager

• Full Time
• Application Closes 13 Sep 2025
• Auckland - Auckland
• Market Research Managers

We are seeking a dynamic and visionary New Product Development / Innovation Manager to join our global team based in New Zealand, reporting to the Head of Global Marketing & Innovation. As an Innovation Manager, you will play a pivotal role in driving business growth through innovative product development and strategic market opportunities. Your expertise in developing and managing innovation processes will be essential to establishing competitive advantages and delivering market-leading solutions. 

This role requires exceptional leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills, with the ability to operate strategically at a high level while drilling down into operational details. 

Responsibilities: 

• New Product Development Strategy Development: Lead the development and execution of innovation strategies in alignment with business objectives and market opportunities. 
• New Product Development Pipeline Management: Establish and manage comprehensive innovation pipelines, overseeing the progression of ideas from concept through to market launch. 
• Consumer Insights and Market Research: Conduct analysis of consumer behavior, market trends, and competitive landscape to identify innovation opportunities and validate concepts. 
• Process Development: Design, implement, and optimize processes, methodologies, and frameworks to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
• Cross-functional Leadership: Build, lead, and mentor teams while collaborating effectively with Sales, Marketing, Operations, R&D, and Supply Chain functions. 
• Portfolio Management: Maintain and optimize new product portfolios, balancing short-term and long-term opportunities to deliver sustainable value. 
• Stakeholder Engagement: Establish and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners to enhance innovation capabilities. 
• Culture Development: Promote an innovation-friendly organizational culture that supports creativity, experimentation, and continuous improvement. 
• Performance Measurement: Develop and track key performance indicators for innovation effectiveness and commercial impact. 
• Reporting and Communication: Prepare regular reports and presentations on innovation initiatives, progress, and outcomes for senior management and stakeholders. 
• Project Management: Oversee innovation projects from inception to completion, ensuring timely delivery within budget and quality parameters. 

Skills & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Food Science, Engineering, or related field. Postgraduate qualification in Innovation Management, MBA, or similar advanced qualification preferred but not essential. 
• 7-10 years of relevant innovation management experience, with a proven track record of successfully bringing innovative products or services to market. 
• Experience in consumer goods, food and beverage, health & wellness, or related industries preferred. 

Other key skills:

• Innovation Leadership: Demonstrated experience in leading innovation initiatives from concept to commercialization with measurable business impact. 
• Strategic Thinking: Strong strategic insight and business acumen with the ability to identify market opportunities and translate them into actionable strategies. 
• Process Management: Experience in developing, implementing, and managing innovation processes and methodologies. 
• Consumer Insights: Understanding of consumer research methodologies, market analysis, and translating insights into innovation concepts. 
• Project Management: Strong project management skills with experience using methodologies such as Agile, Design Thinking, and Lean approaches. 
• Data Analysis: Proficiency in data analysis tools and techniques to evaluate innovation performance and market opportunities. 
• Leadership Skills: Proven ability to lead and inspire cross-functional teams with strong emotional intelligence and change management capabilities. 
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex concepts to diverse audiences including senior executives. 
• Collaboration: Outstanding ability to work effectively across organizational functions, building consensus and driving alignment. 
• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Self-motivated with an entrepreneurial spirit, comfortable with ambiguity and calculated risk-taking. 
• Adaptability: Ability to learn from challenges, adapt to changing circumstances, and maintain focus on delivering results.