Innovation Programme & Portfolio Manager

WEETABIX LIMITED; Burton Latimer; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Double-matched pension scheme (up to :

25 days annual leave

Annual Salary review

Healthcare plan

Discounted Weetabix products

Job summary

Weetabix is seeking an Innovation Programme & Portfolio Manager to lead the delivery of our innovation pipeline, prioritise projects, and govern execution to drive growth. You will oversee portfolio planning, foster cross-functional collaboration, and use data-driven insights to accelerate innovation and strengthen brand performance.

You will partner with the PMO, optimise portfolio performance through SKU rationalisation, balance consumer, brand and operational priorities, and champion digital

Qualifications

• Proven experience in innovation, project, or portfolio management within FMCG or consumer goods.
• Knowledge of end-to-end innovation processes, including Stage-Gate governance.
• Organised with the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret portfolio and performance data.
• Effective stakeholder management with the ability to influence senior leadership.
• Commercial awareness, including understanding of product lifecycle economics.

Responsibilities

• Lead innovation and renovation projects, ensuring effective planning, governance and delivery.
• Continuously improve stage gate processes to support clear decision-making and cross-functional collaboration.
• Prioritise resources across innovation and NPD activities to deliver strategic objectives.
• Partner with the PMO to provide programme visibility, reporting and governance compliance.
• Optimise portfolio performance through SKU management and rationalisation initiatives.
• Balance consumer, brand and operational priorities to support sustainable growth.
• Align innovation plans with Integrated Business Planning (IBP) requirements.
• Improve processes and ways of working to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Drive adoption of digital tools, including PLM systems, to support innovation delivery.
• Maintain accurate product, technical and artwork data to support business operations.
• Act as Business Process Manager for Product Information Management (PIM) within D365.
• Use data and insight to identify risks, resolve challenges and inform recommendations.
• Ensure initiatives are commercially, operationally and strategically aligned.
• Apply consumer and market insights to support innovation and portfolio decisions.
• Drive continuous improvement to accelerate delivery while maintaining quality and compliance.
• Champion digital tools, automation and collaborative ways of working.

Skills

Innovation management

Project management

Portfolio management

FMCG knowledge

Stage-Gate governance

Analytical mindset

Stakeholder management

Commercial awareness

Tools

PLM systems

D365

Job description

At Weetabix, we believe that diverse teams drive better ideas, stronger decisions, and a more inclusive workplace for everyone. We're committed to building an organisation where people from all walks of life feel they belong-where different voices, experiences, and backgrounds are valued and respected.

Closing date: 28th July 2026 Interview process: Two Stage Interview Process Working pattern: You'll typically spend three days a week in the office, providing regular opportunities to collaborate, build strong team connections, and develop effective working relationships in person We're happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process-just let us know how we can support you. Weetabix is on an exciting growth journey, and many of the opportunities we are recruiting for are newly created roles. These positions reflect our investment in people, capabilities and innovation as we continue to build for the future.

The Recipe (About the Role)

As Innovation Programme & Portfolio Manager, you will lead the delivery of our innovation pipeline, ensuring projects are effectively prioritised, governed and executed to support business growth. You will oversee portfolio planning, drive cross-functional collaboration, and use digital tools and data-driven insights to accelerate innovation, strengthen brand performance and deliver commercially successful outcomes.

• Lead innovation and renovation projects, ensuring effective planning, governance and delivery.
• Continuously improve stage gate processes to support clear decision-making and cross-functional collaboration.
• Prioritise resources across innovation and NPD activities to deliver strategic objectives.
• Partner with the PMO to provide programme visibility, reporting and governance compliance.
• Optimise portfolio performance through SKU management and rationalisation initiatives.
• Balance consumer, brand and operational priorities to support sustainable growth.
• Align innovation plans with Integrated Business Planning (IBP) requirements.
• Improve processes and ways of working to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Drive adoption of digital tools, including PLM systems, to support innovation delivery.
• Maintain accurate product, technical and artwork data to support business operations.
• Act as Business Process Manager for Product Information Management (PIM) within D365.
• Use data and insight to identify risks, resolve challenges and inform recommendations.
• Ensure initiatives are commercially, operationally and strategically aligned.
• Apply consumer and market insights to support innovation and portfolio decisions.
• Drive continuous improvement to accelerate delivery while maintaining quality and compliance.
• Champion digital tools, automation and collaborative ways of working.

The Ingredients (What we need from you)

Key Know How:

• Proven experience in innovation, project, or portfolio management within fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) or consumer goods.
• Knowledge of end-to-end innovation processes, including Stage-Gate governance.
• Organised with the ability to manage multiple projects.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret portfolio and performance data.
• Effective stakeholder management with the ability to influence senior leadership.
• Commercial awareness, including understanding of product lifecycle economics.

Your Bowl of Perks (Benefits)

Competitive salary & Annual Flexible benefits We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, career, and life outside work.

• Annual bonus
• Double-matched pension scheme (up to 12% from us)
• 25 days annual leave increasing with service
• Annual Salary review
• Healthcare plan
• Discounted Weetabix products

To support our employees, we also offer:

• Continued investment in your personal development
• We believe in balance, whether it's for family, rest or simply time for you. As well as your holiday entitlement, you can purchase up to 5 days of additional annual leave
• Access to 24/7 counselling service (via Grocery Aid partnership)
• The freedom of Flexible Work Opportunities
• Enhanced Maternity / Paternity / Adoption Leave
• Additional Time Off for Fertility Treatment and Neonatal Care
• Working Parents Support Group
• Fully stocked kitchens filled with our delicious products for you to enjoy

To learn more about life at Weetabix, visit our careers page: Please note: We benchmark roles based on your skills and experience, so we do not advertise fixed salary ranges. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this position; therefore, we are seeking candidates who do not require sponsorship.