Innovation Manager

New Appointments Group; City Of London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an experienced Innovation Manager in the City of London to build a pipeline of successful new products in the personal care and beauty sector. This role requires over 8 years of experience in innovation or senior marketing within FMCG. Responsibilities include developing innovation plans, leading NPD projects, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. The position offers a high-impact role in a dynamic culture with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• 8+ years' experience in innovation or senior marketing roles.
• Proven track record of delivering successful, strategic new product development.
• Strong understanding of consumer insight and research techniques.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver global and local innovation plans.
• Identify and champion new product growth opportunities.
• Lead NPD projects through the full Stage Gate process.

Skills

Innovation management

Strategic NPD

Consumer insights

Collaboration

Packaging development

Job description

We’re resourcing for an experienced Innovation Manager on a long‑term temporary basis who will build and deliver a strong pipeline of winning new products across a personal care and beauty portfolio. You’ll turn deep consumer insight into commercially successful NPD, working cross‑functionally from idea through to launch.

The role

• Develop and deliver global and local innovation plans aligned to brand and sales strategy
• Identify, assess and champion new product growth opportunities
• Generate powerful consumer insights using qual and quant research
• Lead NPD projects through the full Stage Gate process
• Build robust business cases and gain senior stakeholder approval
• Partner closely with Marketing, R&D, Procurement, Sales and Manufacturing
• Monitor market, competitor and retailer trends to maintain competitive advantage
• Oversee packaging development, testing and commercialisation
• Manage NPD budgets and timelines
• Collaborate with international stakeholders to maximise launch potential

About you

• 8+ years’ experience in innovation or senior marketing roles within FMCG/personal care
• Proven track record of delivering successful, strategic NPD
• Strong understanding of consumer insight, research techniques and insight‑led innovation
• Solid technical knowledge of product and manufacturing development
• Extensive experience in packaging development
• Commercially and financially astute
• Highly collaborative, confident influencer across cross‑functional teams
• Creative, agile and solutions‑focused
• Strong communicator with a proactive, "can‑do" mindset

You’ll be joining a consumer‑led, innovation‑driven culture and will have high exposure, high impact role within an entrepreneurial environment with a fantastic opportunity to shape future growth.

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment in line with the Equality Act 2010. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. New Appointments Group acts as an Employment Agency for permanent roles and as an Employment Business for temporary roles.