Marketing Specialist - Innovation Execution Excellence

Colgate-Palmolive; Woking; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Colgate-Palmolive, based in the United Kingdom, is seeking an Innovation Execution Excellence Specialist in Woking. You will own the end-to-end commercialization process, translating strategic visions into market reality by orchestrating cross-functional collaboration across Supply Chain, R&D, and Legal to deliver a zero-defect, profitable innovation pipeline.

The role requires deep technical mastery of SKU logic, packaging, and regulatory compliance, with a focus on multi-market clustering and

Qualifications

• Operational execution mindset with strong attention to timelines and milestones.
• Experience leading complex projects with cross-functional teams.
• Deep understanding of SKU logic and multi-market commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Launch orchestration from product lock to shelf.
• Own end-to-end project management of innovation/renovation projects.
• Coordinate hub with Division/Global Supply Chain, R&D and Legal teams.
• Guard the stage-gate process ensuring disciplined launches.
• Oversee packaging and artwork workflows and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure tools and samples are prepared for sales teams (GTM toolkit).
• Develop the technical backbone of the brand (SKU creation and country pairing).
• Manage portfolio complexity and delisting of underperforming SKUs.

Skills

Execution discipline

Project leadership

SKU mechanics

Cross-functional influence

Job description

No Relocation Assistance Offered

Job Number #176060 - Surrey, England, United Kingdom

Who We Are

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specialising in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!

Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values-Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.

Job Title: Innovation Execution Excellence Specialist

Reporting to: Senior Manager, Innovation Execution Excellence

Location: Woking, UK

Salary: £45,500 - £50,000

To serve as the Operating Officer of the Brand, acting as the strategic guardian of execution for the hub. This role owns the end-to-end commercialization process, translating strategic visions into market reality by orchestrating the cross-functional ecosystem and ensuring the zero-defect, profitable delivery of the innovation pipeline (The Last Mile of Innovation). You provide the critical technical mastery that grounds all brand strategy in operational and commercial feasibility.

Key Responsibilities:

• Launch Orchestration (The "Project Lead")
• End-to-End Project Management: Serve as the central project manager for all innovation and renovation projects. Own the timeline from "Product Lock" to "On-Shelf," ensuring no slippage in critical path milestones.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Act as the primary connector between the Hub and the Division/Global Supply Chain, R&D, and Legal teams, translating commercial needs into operational actions.
• Process Guardianship: Act as the expert on the "Gateway Process" (the stage-gate innovation process), ensuring all stakeholders adhere to the discipline required for a successful launch.
• Creative Asset & Packaging Delivery
• Artwork (AW) Execution: Manage the end-to-end packaging and artwork workflows, ensuring regulatory compliance, managing translations, and securing timely release of assets to trade partners.
• GTM Toolkit Execution: Ensure the "Tools" (trade presenters, samples, e-content assets) are physically produced and available for the sales teams.
• Technical Commercialization Mastery
• The "SKU Architect": Own the technical backbone of the brand. You are responsible for SKU creation, country pairings (determining which markets get which packs), and volume consolidation.
• Complexity Management: Manage the simplification agenda by identifying low-performing SKUs for delisting and ensuring the portfolio remains efficient and profitable.

Required Skills & Competencies:

• Operational Discipline: Execution Excellence mindset with an obsession for timelines, critical paths, and details.
• Agility & Project Leadership: Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously (e.g., major NPD launches alongside packaging renovations) and lead cross-functional teams without direct authority.
• Commercial Architecture Mastery: Deep, practical expertise in SKU logic, technical commercialization, and understanding exactly how a product physically reaches the market in multi-market clusters.
• Collaborative Influence: Proven ability to drive progress across key support teams (Supply Chain, Regulatory, Legal) through influence rather than direct reporting authority.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Our journey begins with our people - developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form should you require accommodation.

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