Innovation Specialist

AVON; Northampton; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Avon is seeking an Innovation Specialist to shape our future product portfolio. You will identify emergent trends, translate consumer insights into viable product concepts, and support innovative ranges across Global Marketing.

You will work with cross-functional teams and global suppliers to move concepts from idea to launch, applying strong commercial awareness and a passion for product innovation across Beauty+ categories.

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification in Buying, Marketing, Fashion, Business, or a related discipline.
• 3+ years' experience in Buying, Product Development, NPD, Category Management, or related field.
• Experience with consumer products in beauty, fashion, home, FMCG, or similar industry.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of annual innovation plans and product ideation aligned with category strategies.
• Build commercially compelling product ranges from consumer insights and trends.
• Manage end-to-end New Product Development to ensure timely delivery.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and suppliers to deliver projects.
• Use market research and insights to identify new product opportunities and assortments.
• Create detailed product briefs with clear specifications for suppliers.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Communication skills

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Team player

People management

Education

Degree in Buying/Marketing/Business

Tools

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Excel

Job description

You've picked a great time to join Avon. We're the company that puts purpose, people and relationships at the heart of everything we do. The company that's 135 years young and only just getting started. As part of the Regent LP family, we're committed to being the best beauty company for the world by generating a positive environmental, economic and social impact for our communities across the globe.

Role Type

Permanent

What you'll be doing:

As an Innovation Specialist, you'll play a key role in shaping Avon's future product portfolio by identifying emerging trends, translating consumer insights into commercially successful product concepts, and supporting the development of innovative ranges that excite our customers. Working as part of the Global Marketing Team and reporting to the Beauty+ Innovation & Buying Lead, you'll collaborate with cross-functional teams and global suppliers to bring products from concept to launch. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a passion for product innovation, strong commercial awareness, and a desire to influence the future direction of Avon's Beauty+ categories.

Key responsibilities:

• Supporting the development of annual innovation plans and product ideation aligned with category and business strategies.
• Building commercially compelling product ranges based on consumer insights, market trends, and competitive analysis.
• Managing and supporting the end-to-end New Product Development (NPD) process to ensure products are delivered on time and to plan.
• Collaborating with Product Development, Procurement, Brand, Planning, Supply Chain, Forecasting, and other cross-functional teams to deliver innovation projects.
• Using market research, trend analysis, and consumer insights to identify new product opportunities and recommend product assortments.
• Creating detailed product and design briefs with clear specifications and creative direction for suppliers and vendors.
• Partnering with Product Development teams to ensure quality, performance, design optimisation, and target cost achievement.
• Supporting supplier management activities, including cost negotiations, MOQ discussions, lead time management, and margin optimisation.
• Contributing to sourcing strategies by identifying opportunities, gaps, and potential supplier solutions.
• Maintaining accurate product data and ensuring information integrity throughout the product lifecycle.
• Analysing sales performance and market results to generate insights and recommendations for future product ranges.
• Supporting the successful launch and ongoing performance of new products across international markets.
• Providing guidance and day-to-day support to junior team members and administrative colleagues when required.

What we're looking for:

• Degree-level qualification in Buying, Marketing, Fashion, Business, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in Buying, Product Development, New Product Development (NPD), Category Management, or a related field.
• Experience working with consumer products, ideally within beauty, fashion, home, FMCG, or a similar industry.
• Strong commercial awareness and an eye for product design, trends, and customer needs.
• Ability to interpret market data, consumer insights, and sales performance to support business decisions.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders in a fast-paced, matrix environment.
• Strong negotiation skills with exposure to supplier management, pricing, margins, lead times, and cost optimisation.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills with the ability to build effective working relationships across multiple teams.
• Strong analytical skills and confidence working with data to identify opportunities and support decision-making.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel.
• Understanding of product sourcing, manufacturing processes, and supplier relationships.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and delivering against deadlines.
• A proactive, adaptable, and solution-focused approach with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Previous people management or mentoring experience would be an advantage.
• Experience within the beauty industry would be beneficial but is not essential.

What we offer:

We offer a comprehensive benefits package along with wellness resources and work-life balance support in line with your country practices and Avon purpose aiming to help you live a healthier life, protect you and your dear ones, and ensure you're at your best.

At Avon, we believe beauty is for everyone and that it's beautiful to be you. We celebrate our differences, champion self-expression and are committed to inclusion for all. We embrace diversity and individuality to build a culture that represents our communities and enables everyone to bring their best self to work. We also support reasonable adjustments both within our recruitment process and job design when required to empower you to work in a way that works for you.

Ready to be a part of it? Join us.

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