Innovation & Functional Lead (12 month FTC)

innocent Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Target-based bonus

Birthday day off

Free smoothies

Flexible working

Pension

Job summary

innocent is seeking a strategic leader to shape the future of the brand by directing our innovation strategy and guiding product development for smoothies, shots and functional drinks. You will turn consumer and market insights into opportunities that unlock long‑term growth.

You will lead cross‑functional teams across Europe, build a strong pipeline of ideas, and foster a culture of curiosity, collaboration and fast, smart decision‑making to deliver ambitious plans.

Qualifications

• Experience leading innovation strategy and portfolio development.
• Ability to lead cross‑functional teams across multiple markets.

Responsibilities

• Shaping the future of innocent by leading our innovation strategy and helping define where we play next.
• Leading innovation projects from opportunity spotting through to launch, bringing together teams across innocent.
• Working with teams across Europe to develop portfolio strategies and plans that deliver long‑term growth.

Skills

Innovation strategy

Portfolio management

Stakeholder influence

Team leadership

Job description

Here at innocent, we’re on a mission to make it easier for everyone to get more fruit and veg into their bodies. We started back in 1999 and since then we’ve gone from selling a few smoothies at a music festival to becoming one of Europe’s biggest drinks companies with around 1,000 people (and the B Corp seal of approval).

It’s nice to be able to say things like that but we’re not patting ourselves on the back just yet. We want to show everyone that it’s possible to be a successful business while looking after people and the planet too, so we’re trying to get better in pretty much every way. And that’s where this job comes in.

We're looking for someone who can spot what's next, turn it into something brilliant, and help innocent grow for years to come. If you love building innovation strategies, creating new products and bringing people together to make ambitious things happen, we'd love to hear from you.

You’ll be

• Shaping the future of innocent by leading our innovation strategy and helping define where we play next.
• Looking after our chilled functional portfolio, including smoothies, shots and functional juices, making sure it grows in the right way for consumers, customers and the business.
• Building a pipeline of new ideas, products and experiences that help more people live well and drink more good stuff.
• Turning consumer, category and market insights into opportunities that unlock long‑term growth.
• Leading innovation projects from early opportunity spotting through to launch, bringing together brilliant people from right across innocent.
• Working with teams across Europe to develop portfolio strategies, priorities and plans that deliver against our long‑term ambitions.
• Creating the conditions for innovation to thrive, helping us move faster, learn quicker and make smarter decisions.
• Leading and developing a talented team, helping people grow while building a culture of curiosity, creativity and collaboration.

You’ll be able to

• Think strategically about categories, consumers and brands, whilst never losing sight of execution.
• Build compelling portfolio and innovation strategies that balance ambition with commercial reality.
• Turn data, trends and consumer insight into clear recommendations and actions.
• Lead complex projects involving multiple markets, functions and external partners.
• Influence senior stakeholders and bring people with different perspectives together behind a common goal.
• Navigate ambiguity, make good decisions and keep momentum behind important work.
• Bring a strong commercial mindset, understanding how innovation creates value and sustainable growth.
• Develop and coach others, creating an environment where people can do their best work and have fun along the way.

You’ll get

• The chance to shape the future direction of one of Europe's most loved drinks brands.
• A role with genuine strategic influence across innovation, portfolio and category growth.
• The opportunity to work on everything from emerging trends and future opportunities to products you’ll see on shelves.
• A team of smart, kind and passionate people who care deeply about what they do.
• Plenty of freedom, ownership and support to make a real impact.
• Competitive pay, bonus and pension.
• Flexible working and a healthy holiday allowance.
• Learning, development and career growth opportunities.
• Lots of innocent drinks, team celebrations and the occasional reason to eat cake.

We want innocent to be a great place to work, so we do lots of stuff to make people feel at home and try to make sure everyone’s career is shaping up the way they want it to. There are plenty of opportunities to have a go at something new or take things further.

In exchange for helping us do business in the right way, you’ll get a solidrewards packagethat includes a salary (phew), private healthcare, a target‑based bonus, and a bunch of other nice things like a day off on your birthday. And yes, you get free smoothies.

We also know that not all our drinkers come from the same background, or think the same – so why should we? At innocent, we want to be a great place to work where a diverse bunch of people from all backgrounds can turn up and thrive. When we hire, we want all the juice, bits, and pulp that make you who you are.

Even if you don’t think you can tick all the boxes, if the job sounds right for you, come and throw your hat in the ring.

Probably best to get your skates on though, as we might close this early if we get loads of applications.