Projects And Innovation Senior Analyst - MENA Region

MBRF; Dubai; On-site; AED 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

MBRF, a global FMCG leader, seeks a Portfolio & Innovation leader to shape long-term opportunities and govern the innovation pipeline. You will partner with management to ensure meticulous data, robust project plans, and aligned execution across functions.

You will drive post-launch reviews, performance tracking, and continuous improvement in processes, tools and communication with senior stakeholders. Fluency in English is required.

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years FMCG experience with ownership of a category or portfolio.
• Experience in Category Management, Marketing, Business Planning, or Commercial functions.
• Proven track record of managing category performance and cross-functional projects.
• Fluent in English; Arabic is an advantage.
• Experience leading or developing team members preferred.

Responsibilities

• Work alongside the Projects & Innovation Manager to build and refine the long-term innovation pipeline, consolidating opportunities, strategic fit, expected value, timing, dependencies and resource requirements to support portfolio prioritization.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date portfolio data, including project status, milestones, risks, decisions and next steps.
• Support project management in line with the company’s governance model, coordinating stage-gate requirements, project plans, documentation, meeting routines and decision forums.
• Track project scope, timelines, deliverables, risks, issues and interdependencies. Proactively flag deviations, support mitigation plans and escalates matters requiring decisions to keep initiatives on track.
• Coordinate cross-functional inputs to support business cases, launch readiness and project execution.
• Prepare clear portfolio dashboards, project status reports and executive updates, distilling complex information into key messages, required decisions and actions.
• Monitor innovation performance after launch against approved business cases and targets, including sales, distribution, margin, availability, forecast accuracy and other relevant launch KPIs.
• Identify performance gaps and drive corrective actions with key stakeholders.
• Facilitate post-launch reviews and capture lessons learned, applying insights to corrective actions, future projects and innovation processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve project management tools, templates, routines, data quality and ways of working to strengthen portfolio governance and organizational learning.

Skills

English fluency

Arabic advantage

Leadership

Project management

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Marketing, or related field

MBA or Master’s degree

Job description

How about building your career at one of the world’s largest food companies?

Come work at MBRF, a company present in the lives of thousands of families around the world. From the simplest moments to the most special ones, we nourish life through quality, innovation, and the people who make everything happen.

What will you be doing at MBRF?

• Work alongside the Projects & Innovation Manager to build and refine the long-term innovation pipeline, consolidating opportunities, strategic fit, expected value, timing, dependencies and resource requirements to support portfolio prioritization.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date portfolio data, including project status, milestones, risks, decisions and next steps.
• Support project management in line with the company’s governance model, coordinating stage-gate requirements, project plans, documentation, meeting routines and decision forums.
• Track project scope, timelines, deliverables, risks, issues and interdependencies. Proactively flag deviations, support mitigation plans and escalates matters requiring decisions to keep initiatives on track.
• Coordinate cross-functional inputs to support business cases, launch readiness and project execution.
• Prepare clear portfolio dashboards, project status reports and executive updates, distilling complex information into key messages, required decisions and actions.
• Monitor innovation performance after launch against approved business cases and targets, including sales, distribution, margin, availability, forecast accuracy and other relevant launch KPIs.
• Identify performance gaps and drive corrective actions with key stakeholders.
• Facilitate post-launch reviews and capture lessons learned, applying insights to corrective actions, future projects and innovation processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve project management tools, templates, routines, data quality and ways of working to strengthen portfolio governance and organizational learning.

What kind of profile are we looking for?

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Marketing, or a related field. An MBA or Master’s degree is preferred.
• Minimum 6 years of progressive FMCG experience, including ownership of a category, portfolio, or business agenda.
• Previous experience within Category Management, Marketing, Business Planning, or Commercial functions.
• Proven track record of managing category performance, business growth initiatives, and cross-functional projects.
• Experience leading or developing team members is preferred.
• Fluent in English; Arabic is considered an advantage.
• Strong experience in FMCG category management, innovation, business analytics, and commercial decision-making.

What competencies are key to this role?

• Strong business acumen with the ability to connect category performance to overall business results.
• Advanced analytical skills, including P&L management and market intelligence analysis.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive alignment across cross-functional teams.
• Excellent project management and execution skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong people leadership skills, including coaching, delegation, prioritization, and team development.
• Willingness to travel as required.

What can you expect from MBRF?

• Being part of a global, collaborative and dynamic working environment.
• Strong corporate culture with commitments to customers, employees and the communities we serve.
• Vertical, horizontal and cross-functional growth opportunities.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.