Innovation Manager

Accolade Wines Limited; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as an Innovation Manager in Europe, where you'll drive exciting projects focusing on alternative packaging formats. This role is pivotal in enhancing consumer experiences while promoting sustainability within the wine industry. Collaborate with diverse teams to launch innovative products that align with market demands and company values. Enjoy a rewarding work environment that offers flexibility, a unique rewards package, and the opportunity to make a significant impact. If you’re passionate about innovation and sustainability, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Wine allowance

Flexible working

Paid Parental Leave

Fast Friday finishes

Loyalty Leave

Anniversary day off

Go Beyond Day

Access to online learning library

Employee Assistance Program

Exclusive employee discounts

Qualifications

• 2+ years in innovation or product development in FMCG or beverage.
• Strong understanding of consumer behavior and market trends.

Responsibilities

• Manage innovation projects from ideation to launch across Europe.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful product introductions.

Skills

Innovation Management

Product Development

Market Research

Sustainability Knowledge

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Financial Management

Communication Skills

Creativity

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Job Description

About us
At Accolade Wines, our purpose is to enrich everyday moments through our amazing wine brands.

As one of the worlds leading wine companies, our award-winning portfolio includes loved brands such as Hardys, Grant Burge, St Hallett, Petaluma, Croser, Banrock Station, Mud House, Jam Shed, Tatachilla, Brookland Valley and many more.

The driving force behind our business is our people, their expertise, their passion and their professionalism. With over 1,400 dedicated employees in Australia, the UK, Europe, Asia, South Africa, New Zealand and North and South America, it is our teamwork that sets us apart.

About the role

The Innovation Manager Europe will work closely with the Head of Innovation and the Senior Innovation Manager in developing and launching projects within our innovative pipeline.

This role will have a bias towards alternative packaging formats that deliver enhanced consumer experiences and/or sustainability and commercial credentials vs glass. This role involves collaborating closely with cross-functional teams within marketing, as well as sales, the wider innovation team and supply chain and will manage a number of innovation projects across multiple European markets.

The Innovation Manager will ensure that new format launches are aligned with our company values, business objectives and core brand values. This role will champion alternative formats and our friendly formats strategy.

Key responsibilities include:

• Innovation Development: Support the execution of the European innovation strategy, with a focus on delivering innovative format-based solutions meeting consumer and market needs.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with the innovation team, regional marketing, sales, and production teams to ensure we have internal alignment on our format innovation strategies and to ensure our new format launches are successfully executed. Coordinate with external partners, suppliers, and agencies where needed.
• Product Development: Support the end-to-end product development process from ideation to market launch, focussing on new and innovative formats. This includes collaborating on the creation of new packaging formats that align with evolving consumer preferences and market requirements such as more sustainable packaging alternatives.
• Innovation process and CI: Become a stage and gate expert for the business to ensure compliance and efficient project management.
• Sustainability Integration: Ensure that sustainability is embedded into appropriate innovation projects and considered at all necessary points. Drive initiatives that focus on sustainable packaging in line with the companys sustainability goals.
• Market & Consumer Insights: Use consumer insights, market research, and competitor analysis to identify gaps and opportunities within the market.
• Project Management: Manage a portfolio of innovation projects ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and in alignment with business goals. Manage project plans, timelines, and budgets and track progress against KPIs. Work closely with the Head of Innovation on prioritisation of projects and alignment.
• Brand Alignment: Ensure all innovations align with our brands core values and market positioning. Work with the marketing team to ensure that new products are effectively positioned and communicated to both trade and consumer audiences.
• Innovation Pipeline Management: Support the Head of Innovation in maintaining an innovation pipeline for Europe with a focus on innovative formats; prioritising initiatives based on market demand, profitability potential, and strategic alignment.
• Financial Management: Manage budgets for projects effectively and assess p&ls of innovation projects and launches accurately.
• Product Launches:Plan and execute new format launches across European markets. Ensure that go-to-market strategies are developed and implemented along with the relevant channel teams with strong cross-functional support to ensure successful product introductions.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Work closely with stakeholders across functions to advocate for and promote new format innovations. Provide regular updates on project status, key learnings, and market feedback to managers and decision-makers.
• Performance Tracking & Reporting: Monitor the performance of new products and innovations post-launch, measuring success against KPIs such as sales growth, consumer feedback, and market penetration. Use this data to update senior managers and to inform next steps / continuous improvement opportunities.

What youllbring:

• Experience: Minimum of 2 years of experience in innovation, product development, or brand management within the FMCG, beverage, or wine industries. A track record of launching products, innovations or activations within European markets.
• Consumer & Market Insight: Understanding of consumer behaviour, market trends, and the competitive landscape of the wine and FMCG sectors. Experience in using consumer and market data to drive decisions.
• Cross-Functional Working: Experience in working cross-functionally and managing cross functional projects whilst working strategically and at pace with resilience and collaboration
• Sustainability Expertise: Some knowledge of sustainability issues and trends within the FMCG or drinks sector enabling the integration of sustainability into product development where relevant.
• Creativity & Problem-Solving: A creative mindset with the ability to generate innovative ideas that are both commercially viable and aligned with consumer needs. Problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing market dynamics.
• Financial Acumen: Accurate budget management abilities and P&L understanding. Some experience in managing the financial elements of activations or project launches.
• Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present ideas and strategies to managers and marketing leadership leadership and external stakeholders with confidence and authenticity.

What you can expect:

Accolade Wines will provide the ideal climate and a hand-picked rewards package for you to make a difference in our successful and growing business.
You will also have access to:

• Wine allowance and access to unique wine specials
• Flexible working (Up to 2-3 days working from home)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Start your weekend early with our Fast Friday finishes!
• Loyalty Leave
• Accolade Wines Anniversary day off
• Go Beyond Day - making a different in your local community
• Access to an extensive online learning library
• Employee Assistance Program
• Various exclusive employee discounts

Other Key Requirements

• Some business travel may be required from time to time
• Occasional out of hours work may be required

Sound like your kind of drop? Apply now.

At Accolade Wines we are dedicated to building a diverse, dynamic and inclusive culture.

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