Innovation Project Lead — Stage-Gate & Commercial Impact

Arla Foods A.m.b.a; Aarhus; On-site; DKK 800,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Arla Foods A.m.b.a in Aarhus is seeking a Commercial Innovation Manager to lead the innovation stage-gate process and drive high‑impact projects from concept to launch. You will work across Marketing, Category, Supply Chain and NPD to turn opportunities into commercially successful products.

The role blends strategic governance with hands-on project leadership, requiring strong stakeholder management, a passion for faster, smarter innovation, and fluency in Danish and English.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience within innovation, innovation process management, or a related field.
• Experience leading cross-functional projects in a matrix organization; food/beverage industry is a plus.
• Ability to translate consumer and business opportunities into commercial results.
• Structured, organized and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Fluent in Danish and English.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex innovation and renovation projects from idea to launch.
• Ensure strong stakeholder alignment across Marketing, Supply Chain, NPD, Sales and Finance.
• Create momentum and secure progress throughout the project lifecycle.
• Prepare and facilitate key decision points and governance forums.
• Lead and continuously improve the innovation stage-gate process.
• Simplify ways of working and strengthen governance and decision-making.
• Support colleagues across Marketing in navigating innovation projects.
• Accelerate learning through agile testing and experimentation.
• Drive alignment and seamless handovers between Arla Denmark and Global Innovation teams.
• Ensure clear roles, responsibilities and effective collaboration across the innovation network.

Skills

Innovation management

Project management

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Agile testing & experimentation

Business acumen

Job description

Arla Foods A.m.b.a in Aarhus is seeking a Commercial Innovation Manager to lead the innovation stage-gate process and drive high‑impact projects from concept to launch. You will work across Marketing, Category, Supply Chain and NPD to turn opportunities into commercially successful products.

The role blends strategic governance with hands-on project leadership, requiring strong stakeholder management, a passion for faster, smarter innovation, and fluency in Danish and English.