Innovation Manager

Acu-IT.net; Market Drayton; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in innovation is looking for an Innovation Manager in Market Drayton to lead and manage innovation projects from concept to launch. The ideal candidate will possess at least 4 years of marketing experience, strong analytical skills, and proven leadership abilities. Benefits include a competitive salary, bonus scheme, and private healthcare.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Bonus scheme

Private medical healthcare

Contributory pension plan

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Generous annual leave increasing with service

Flexible benefits programme

Access to Rewards Benefits Programme

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years in marketing (FMCG preferred) including innovation launches.
• Strong analytical skills and a passion for data-driven decision-making.
• Proven leadership experience in role or extracurricular activities.

Responsibilities

• Lead innovation projects from idea to scale up.
• Manage project timelines and critical path of activities.
• Work closely with Consumer Insights to validate concepts.

Skills

Marketing Experience

Analytical Mindset

Leadership

Change Maker

Team Spirit

Education

Degree-level qualification in a relevant subject

Job description

Innovation Manager

Location: Market Drayton (Hybrid)

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full Time

At Mller, we're proud to be a business that's driven by purpose and powered by people. We're passionate about creating products that meet real consumer needs and deliver category growth. As an Innovation Manager, you'll play a key role in shaping the future of our brands by leading the development of new ideas from concept to scale-up.

Your Role

You'll be responsible for delivering innovation across all Mller brands, aligned to strategic priorities and consumer need states. Working cross-functionally, you'll lead projects through our stage gate process, build compelling business cases, and ensure successful handover to brand teams.

What You'll Do

• Lead innovation projects from idea to scale up, prior to a collaborative handover with the brand teams
• Deliver new Innovation projects across all Mller brands, which are inline to strategic, category and consumer need states
• Project manage innovation launches through the stage gate process and internal approval project reviews and gate approval meetings, building strong business cases for new projects
• Project manage innovation projects from idea to scale up, prior to a collaborative handover with the brand teams
• Lead and drive cross-functional teams to deliver validated concepts to market
• Manage project timelines including a critical path of activities that will be used to drive delivery by cross-functional teams to key milestones
• Challenge and proactively seek out new consumer needs and opportunities that deliver solutions for consumers
• Work closely with the Consumer Insights team to validate concepts and provide compelling consumer rationale for innovation projects
• Work with Procurement, Packaging and Engineering to identify how to make new ideas viable across our Muller and co-man network or source new solutions
• Monitor consumer trends to help inspire future thinking
• Line management of a Marketing Graduate, including supporting with personal development

What You'll Bring

• Marketing Experience: Minimum 4 years in marketing (FMCG preferred) including exposure to supporting a business with Innovation launches and concept creation
• Academic Excellence: Degree-level qualification (2:1 or above) in a relevant subject, or qualified by experience
• Leadership: Proven leadership experience—whether in-role or through extracurricular activities
• Curious: An open mindset with an interest in the latest trend and new product launches
• Analytical Mindset: Strong analytical skills and a passion for data-driven decision-making
• Change Maker: Embrace and drive change with energy, displaying the ability to challenge the ways things are done and opportunities to improve
• Team Spirit: A true team player—supportive, honest, and passionate about winning together

What You'll Receive

In return for your commitment, drive and enthusiasm, we offer our employees numerous benefits as part of your employment, including:

• Competitive Salary
• Bonus scheme
• Private medical healthcare
• Contributory pension plan
• Life Assurance
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Generous annual leave increasing with service
• Flexible benefits programme
• Access to a Rewards Benefits Programme, with discounts across 800 retailers online and in store

Contact Details

F.A.O. UK Recruitment, Mller UK & Ireland, Shrewsbury Road, Market Drayton, Shropshire, TF9 3SQ

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