Innovation Manager

Blackmores; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Blackmores, a leading natural health company in Australia, is seeking an experienced Innovation Manager - ANZ to shape and deliver its three-year innovation pipeline across Australia and New Zealand.

Reporting to the Head of Marketing - ANZ, you will drive cross-functional NPD/EPD projects, align with brand and commercial priorities, and manage a small team while collaborating with Marketing, Category, Sales and Product Development to turn insights into market-ready solutions.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in innovation, marketing or PM in consumer goods.
• Experience in portfolio strategy and opportunities.
• Strong commercial acumen and problem-solving.
• Manage multiple complex projects in regulated env.
• Consumer-centric mindset.
• Understanding of business financials and demand planning.
• Experience with Nielsen data and consumer insights.
• Excellent stakeholder communication.

Responsibilities

• Develop a three-year ANZ innovation pipeline aligned with global strategy.
• Identify opportunities from brand, category, segment, and channel performance.
• Lead cross-functional NPD/EPD projects from concept to Stage Gate.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Category, Sales and Product Development.
• Develop Innovation Concept Proposals and Stage Gate docs.
• Assess commercial feasibility and pre-gate P&Ls with partners.
• Report on pipeline and post-launch performance.
• Support NZ team with pipeline development and Stage Gate.

Skills

Innovation strategy

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Consumer marketing

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's in Business/Marketing

Job description

At Blackmores, our vision is to connect 1 billion people to the healing power of nature.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Kirin Holdings, Blackmores Group is a leading natural health company with proud Australian heritage. Operating across 11 markets throughout Asia-Pacific and Greater China, we develop high-quality, evidence-based health solutions that help people live healthier lives.

The Opportunity

We're looking for an experienced Innovation Manager - ANZ to shape and deliver our innovation pipeline across Australia and New Zealand.

This highly collaborative role sits at the intersection of innovation, marketing, category, sales and product development. You'll lead the successful development and commercialisation of new and existing product initiatives for Australia, while supporting New Zealand with pipeline planning and the Stage Gate process.

You'll bring together consumer insight, commercial thinking and strong project leadership to identify portfolio opportunities, build compelling innovation concepts and move complex projects from idea through to launch. Just as importantly, you'll create alignment across cross-functional teams so that our innovation pipeline delivers against consumer needs, brand opportunities and commercial priorities.

This role will also manage an Assistant Innovation Manager. Reporting to the Head of Marketing - ANZ, you'll help shape our three-year ANZ innovation pipeline and strengthen the way we bring new ideas to market. You will be working from either our Surry Hills or Warriewood office 3 days per week with at least 1 day in each location and 2 days from home.

What will you do?

Developing and implementing the three-year ANZ innovation pipeline, aligned with global innovation strategy and local market priorities.

Identifying commercially led innovation opportunities through analysis of brand, category, segment and channel performance.

Leading cross-functional NPD and EPD projects from concept through the Stage Gate process, ensuring projects are delivered on time and in full.

Partnering closely with Marketing, Category, Sales and Product Development teams to align project priorities, claims, forecasts and commercial outcomes.

Leading the development of Innovation Concept Proposals and Stage Gate documentation for NPD and EPD projects.

Assessing commercial feasibility, including preparation of pre-gate P&Ls in partnership with Brand, Category and Sales.

Managing NPD and EPDperformance reporting and post-launch reviews.

Providing regular innovation pipeline and project updates to the ANZ leadership team.

Supporting the New Zealand team with pipeline development and the Stage Gate process.

Keeping a close eye on competitors, emerging innovation and new products entering the market.

Who are you?

At least 7 years' or more of work experience across innovation, project management and/or consumer marketing within the consumer goods industry, with broad cross-functional exposure.

Demonstrated experience developing innovation strategy and identifying commercial gaps and opportunities within a portfolio.

Strong commercial acumen, critical thinking and problem-solving capability, with the ability to translate strategy into action.

Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects, portfolios and priorities, ideally within a regulated environment.

A consumer-centric and curious mindset, with the confidence to challenge thinking and explore new ideas.

Strong understanding of business financials, demand planning and product development.

Strong analytical capability, including experience with Nielsen data and interpreting consumer insight testing.

Excellent stakeholder management, communication and presentation skills.

A relevant tertiary qualification, preferably in Business, Marketing and/or Commerce.

A genuine passion for health and wellness.

Experience working across multi-market or global brands will be highly regarded, while exposure to natural health or nutrition would be advantageous.

Why Blackmores?

Play a leading role in shaping the future innovation pipeline of one of Australia's most recognised natural health companies.

Work across the full innovation journey, from identifying consumer and commercial opportunities through to product launch.

Partner with experienced teams across Marketing, Category, Sales, Product Development, Regulatory and Commercial functions.

Flexible working arrangements in line with Blackmores FlexFit.

Join a purpose-led and socially responsible organisation committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

Great benefits to support your health and wellbeing, including access to discounted Blackmores products.

Mental health and wellbeing support through our Sonder Employee Assistance Program.