Global Head of Product Innovation

pladis operates in highly competitive, fast-moving markets where it is essential to maintain and extend market share through profitable branded growth. This is a senior role responsible for leading the team to develop and deliver against an ambitious and transformational breakthrough product strategy that is aligned to the growth ambition and sustainability aspirations of the company. The role requires an individual adept at multi-cultural cross-functional collaboration and who can work effectively with external partners to identify appropriate opportunities and drive development of innovative solutions, best practice approaches & systems and a high-performing matrix team.

Responsibilities

Lead the team to develop and deliver against an ambitious and transformational breakthrough product strategy; Define and deliver a medium to long term roadmap for their category(s) – Indulgence and Next Generation Kids; Align an agenda to drive innovation sustainability and productivity; Build internal cross-functional expertise and relationships; Support Global Procurement team in building sourcing strategies; Build strong collaborative relationships with suppliers; Manage high value global innovation projects; Deliver at least 1 breakthrough project per year with a clear path to commercialization; Lead a team of scientists and engineers; Work with Growth and FEI team to co-develop effective development briefs; Actively assess and pilot external technologies, ingredients and formats; Ensure technical rigour in project delivery; Manage delivery of a portfolio of technically complex projects; Follow market and competitor moves; Ensure new products are launched with robust specifications and quality standards; Lead delivery of technically complex, high-uncertainty projects; Manage cost centres; Support creation of a cost saving programme

Requirements

Excellent core technical skills; Ability to understand the needs of the business, consumers and customers; Self-starter; Drive for results; Experience in a range of companies at various stages of growth; Proven ability to upskill others, both technical and non-technical audiences; Adept at multi-cultural cross-functional collaboration; Ability to work effectively with external partners; Resilience, persistence and learning agility; Purpose-led, resilient and positive; Pace and agility; Collaboration; Accountability