Ideation Manager Process Solutions (all genders)

Merck KGaA; Darmstadt; Vor Ort; EUR 85.000 - 120.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

Merck KGaA in Darmstadt seeks an Ideation Manager Life Science to shape the future innovation pipeline, translating insights into strategic themes and driving a customer-centric ideation process across franchises, R&D, and commercial teams.

Collaborate with customers and external partners to accelerate co-ideation, identify growth opportunities, and maintain an aligned portfolio. Fluent English is required; German is a plus, with potential US collaborations.

Qualifikationen

• BS degree in life sciences, chemistry, engineering, business, or a related field with 7–12 years of relevant experience; MS with >5 years acceptable.
• Proven experience in innovation / ideation management, methodologies and tools.
• Proactive, hands-on self-starter able to uncover insights and mobilize stakeholders to translate them into opportunities.
• Strong analytical mindset with ability to leverage data/AI-enabled tools for innovation discovery/decision-making.
• Excellent communication and senior stakeholder management skills; ability to influence across a matrix organization.

Aufgaben

• Partner with Business franchises, customers and key stakeholders to translate insights into strategic innovation themes and roadmaps.
• Identify future growth opportunities and shape a robust innovation opportunity pipeline.
• Own and continuously improve the Process Solutions ideation framework, methodologies and governance.
• Lead identification, evaluation, prioritization, and transition of opportunities into the portfolio.
• Build and nurture relationships to create a collaborative innovation ecosystem and accelerate co-ideation.
• Champion a customer-centric ideation mindset with best practices, methodologies, tools, and capability building.

Kenntnisse

Ideation management

Stakeholder management

Analytical mindset

AI-enabled insights

Communication skills

Ausbildung

Bachelor's degree in life sciences

Master's degree

Jobbeschreibung

Work Your Magic with us!

Ready to explore, break barriers, and discover more? We know you’ve got big plans – so do we! Our colleagues across the globe love innovating with science and technology to enrich people’s lives with our solutions in Healthcare, Life Science, and Electronics. Together, we dream big and are passionate about caring for our rich mix of people, customers, patients, and planet. That's why we are always looking for curious minds that see themselves imagining the unimaginable with us.

As Ideation Manager Life Science you will play a key role in shaping the future innovation pipeline by identifying emerging growth opportunities while driving an effective and customer‑centric ideation and opportunity development process. Leveraging customer, market, technology, and business insights, you will lead the Process Solutions ideation framework, methodologies and governance to ensure a consistent flow of strategically aligned opportunities into the innovation portfolio.

Working closely with stakeholders across Business Franchises, R&D, Marketing, Strategy, Commercial, customers, and external partners, you will foster a collaborative innovation ecosystem, accelerate co‑ideation, and help shape the future innovation of Process Solutions.

This role can be based in Darmstadt, Germany or Bedford / Burlington, USA.

Key responsibilities:

• Partner with Business franchises, customers and other key stakeholders to translate customer, market, technology, and business insights into strategic innovation themes and roadmaps
• Identify future growth opportunities and shape a robust innovation opportunity pipeline

Ideation Excellence

• Own and continuously improve the Process Solutions ideation framework, methodologies and governance
• Lead the identification, evaluation & prioritization, and transition of innovation opportunities into the innovation portfolio pipeline – aligned with strategic objectives and a clear focus on customer‑centricity

Collaboration & Co‑Ideation

• Build and nurture relationships with stakeholders across the organization, customers and external partners to create a collaborative innovation ecosystem that strengthens the PS innovation pipeline
• Facilitate co‑ideation activities that transform promising ideas into actionable innovation concepts
• Champion a customer‑centric ideation mindset by promoting best practices, methodologies, tools, and capability building

Who you are:

• BS degree in life sciences, chemistry, engineering, business, or a related field with 7-12 years of relevant experience, or MS with >5 years of relevant experience
• Proven experience in innovation / ideation management, methodologies and tools
• Proactive and hands‑on self‑starter with the ability to uncover insights, identify opportunities, and mobilize stakeholders to translate them into innovation opportunities
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to leverage data, insights, and AI‑enabled tools to support innovation discovery and decision‑making
• Excellent communication and senior stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and drive results across a matrix organization
• Ideally strong understanding of the Process Solutions business, customer needs, market trends, competitive intelligence and emerging technologies
• Customer‑facing experiences are a plus
• Fluent in English; proficiency in German is a plus

What we offer:

We are curious minds that come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe that this variety drives excellence and innovation, strengthening our ability to lead in science and technology. We are committed to creating access and opportunities for all to develop and grow at your own pace. Join us in building a culture of inclusion and belonging that impacts millions and empowers everyone to work their magic and champion human progress!