Senior Innovation Manager

Kerry; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the dairy sector is seeking a Senior Innovation Manager to drive product innovation and manage a robust pipeline. This role involves collaborating with multiple teams to identify market opportunities and ensure brand relevance. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in innovation within FMCG, a strong commercial mindset, and the ability to influence stakeholders effectively.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience in Innovation or NPD roles within FMCG.
• Experience in identifying new revenue streams and launching new business models.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end innovation process and collaborate with various teams.
• Identify consumer trends and develop new product ideas.
• Manage cross-functional teams through all innovation stages.

Skills

Curiosity

Commercial mindset

Influence

Education

Degree qualified

Job description

View more categories | View less categories | Sector: Other | Responsibilities: Executive Management | Position/Level: Senior Management | Contract Type: Permanent

Requisition ID: 58641
Position Type: FT Fixed Term
Workplace Arrangement:

About Kerry

Kerry Dairy Ireland is a vertically integrated Dairy Business that encompasses a number of divisions spanning from its Agribusiness (Kerry Dairy Farms) through to Dairy & Nutritional Ingredients & its Dairy Consumer Foods Business. With its strong Dairy heritage, world-class sustainability credentials, a deep-rooted connection to its 3000 Farmers & milk suppliers, and a portfolio of household favourite Brands, Kerry Dairy is one of the World's Leading Dairy Businesses, with a Revenue in excess of €1.3bn annually.

The Dairy Consumer Foods division hosts several of the UK & Ireland's favourite Dairy & Plant-Based Brands (Strings & Things; PURE Dairy-Free; Dairygold, Charleville, Golden Cow, Coleraine, Low Low & Attack a Snak). Additionally, we are the largest supplier of Private Label Dairy spreads in the UK, supplying all major Retailers across the UK, Ireland, and parts of mainland Europe.

About the role

As the Senior Innovation Manager, you will lead the end-to-end innovation process—identifying consumer trends, developing new product ideas, and launching successful innovations. You will collaborate with insight, marketing, R&D, and category teams to build a strong innovation pipeline that drives growth and enhances our brand position in the competitive dairy market.

This role will oversee innovation for our drive brands, including the iconic kids' brand Strings & Things and our leading Irish brands Dairygold and Charleville. You will ensure these brands remain innovative, relevant, and prepared for the future.

Key responsibilities

1. Opportunity Identification: Proactively identify and evaluate emerging consumer needs, market gaps, technological advancements, and competitive activities within the UK dairy market to uncover unmet needs and whitespace opportunities.
2. Idea Generation & Concept Development: Lead ideation sessions, leveraging insights and resources to generate a pipeline of innovative product and process concepts.
3. Concept Validation & Feasibility: Collaborate with insight teams to research consumer appeal and market potential of new concepts.
4. Project Leadership & Management: Lead cross-functional teams through all innovation stages, ensuring timely, budget-conscious delivery that meets quality standards. Manage gate processes, timelines, and alignment.
5. Strategy Development & Execution: Develop and manage a 3-5 year innovation pipeline aligned with brand strategy and business goals.
6. Continuous Improvement: Monitor launched innovations' performance and incorporate learnings for ongoing enhancement.
7. Culture Building: Promote a culture of innovation, encouraging creativity, experimentation, and continuous improvement.
8. Stakeholder Engagement: Maintain strong relationships with internal teams including R&D, Marketing, Insight, Category, and Sales.

Qualifications and skills

• Degree qualified
• 5+ years' experience in Innovation or NPD roles within FMCG
• Curiosity and interest in consumer behaviour, motivations, and trends shaping the future of food
• Enterprising spirit—experience in identifying new revenue streams, launching new business models or brands
• Commercial mindset—ability to translate insights into growth opportunities, managing P&Ls and delivering brand impact
• Influence—personal impact and ability to influence all levels, including senior stakeholders
• Commitment to key behaviours: Think Bigger, Prioritize, Make it Happen, aligned with Kerry values

Please note: We do not accept CVs or candidate profiles from recruitment agencies without a signed Kerry terms of business. We will not consider or pay fees for such submissions. Kerry employees will not solicit candidates via non-Kerry emails or phone numbers, and we do not use video chat rooms for interviews. Do not pay any fees during the hiring process; Kerry only reimburses travel expenses. All official Kerry accounts will bear the Kerry name.