New Product Development Manager

QUALIFICATION

• Relevant Tertiary Qualification

EXPERIENCE AND MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• 5+ Years minimum experience within innovation project management
• Brand management and/or innovation/Product Development experience required
• Experience in FMCG advantageous

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

• Able to communicate fluently in English
• Experience in leading cross-functional teams at various business levels to achieve set outcomes
• Exceptional organizational, planning, project management and critical thinking skills
• Proven success in managing multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring deadlines are met and of the highest standard
• Excellent presentation and communication skills (written & verbal), with proven ability to drive decision making at a C-Suite level
• Collaborative and agile leadership style with an ability to build and maintain positive relationships, whilst maintaining focus on the end goal
• Strong understanding of data analytics, market trends, consumer insights and competitive analysis
• Strong knowledge and understanding of project and specifically innovation management methodologies and best practices e.g. Stage-gate process management
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools
• Proficiency in project management tools and software e.g. Microsoft Projects and Asana

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and implement the overall innovation strategy (IBP, P&I inputs) to drive growth and competitive advantage
• Lead and oversee the innovation pipeline, ensuring alignment with business objectives, effectively prioritising projects, and resource allocation (budget & people)
• Drive the operational planning and project management of the innovation pipeline through the stage-gate process, optimising plans and managing risks and mitigations across projects
• Deliver key inputs required across the development process including briefs, business cases, validation, product, and packaging
• Manage and coordinate multiple projects and inputs from a cross functional team across supply, production, sales, marketing, and operations, ensuring clarity and visibility of status and key actions/inputs required to ensure ongoing momentum
• Delegate work to team members and partners based on skills and expertise
• Create presentations, gate paper inputs and reports to support decision-making
• Stay aware of company goals and strategies to ensure projects align with business priorities
• Leverage data analytics and awareness of market trends to aid in recommendations across projects
• Manage launch effectiveness and course-corrective actions across accountable parties
• Assist the Head of Snell Brands & Innovation in the inputs required to support the ongoing identification of new opportunities for growth
• Manage relationships with internal teams, agencies & suppliers in a manner that builds strong, mutually beneficial, sustainable partnerships
• Budget ownership

This role is open to individuals from all backgrounds, however preference will be given to equity candidates