Brand Innovation Manager

Ornua; Dublin; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Ornua seeks a Brand Innovation Manager to support the Global Head of Brand Innovation in building, managing and delivering the innovation pipeline for Ornua Foods. You will translate insights and strategy into consumer-led concepts with global alignment and local relevance.

You will drive front-end innovation discipline, cross-market collaboration, and speed to market from idea through launch, while leading with consumer insights and a bold, innovative mindset.

Qualifications

• 5+ years leading brand innovation strategy in FMCG/CPG (foods, dairy or nutrition preferred).
• Strong track record of cross-functional collaboration with R&D, Regulatory, Legal and BU Commercial teams.
• Well-versed in global consumer trends and category dynamics; turning insights into commercially viable innovation.
• Commercially minded with a strong balance of creativity and strategic thinking.
• Able to manage multiple projects in matrixed environments with attention to detail and delivery.
• Effective communicator and collaborator with ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Passionate about innovation and developing product concepts that strengthen brand equity.
• Customer focus: puts consumer insight at the heart of pipeline development.
• Curiosity and forward-looking mindset; openness to new ideas, tech and ways of working.

Responsibilities

• Support development of the global 3–5 year brand innovation pipeline aligned with strategy and consumer needs.
• Partner with CMK to convert insights, foresight, and trend analysis into clear opportunities.
• Consolidate global consumer, culinary, category and market insights into focused opportunities.
• Lead idea generation, early concept development and preliminary business case creation across global projects.
• Support Business Units in localizing global opportunities into market-ready concepts.
• Partner with R&D, Regulatory, Commercial, Programme Management and Global Marketing to ensure rapid speed to market.
• Act as an integrator between global functions and markets for clear scope, insights, dynamics and commercial implications.
• Champion globally consistent innovation ways of working and cross-market collaboration.
• Be an engaged member of the Global Marketing & Innovation Team contributing to brand and portfolio strategy.

Skills

Brand strategy

Pipeline development

Cross-functional leadership

Innovation management

Consumer insights

Project management

Stakeholder influence

Trends analysis

Collaboration

Creativity & strategic thinking

Job description

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The Role

The Brand Innovation Manager supports the Global Head of Brand Innovation in building, managing and delivering the Innovation pipeline for Ornua Foods. This role translates insights, strategy, and cross-functional input into scalable, consumer‑led concepts, to develop globally aligned and locally relevant innovation.

The role is pivotal in driving front‑end innovation excellence, process discipline, and cross‑market collaboration to accelerate Ornua’s global brand innovation impact.

Key AreasOfResponsibility:

Pipeline and Strategy Development

Support development of the global 3–5 year brand innovation pipeline aligned with brand strategy, consumer needs, and commercial impact.

Partner with CMK to convert insights,foresight, and trend analysis into clear innovation opportunities.

Front End InnovationExecution

Consolidateglobal consumer,culinary,category, and market insights into focusedinnovation opportunities.

Lead idea generation, early concept development, and preliminary business case creation across global innovation projects.

Support Business Units in localizing or adapting global opportunities into market‑ready concepts.

Cross-Functional Leadership and Collaboration

Partner closely with R&D, Regulatory, Commercial,ProgrammeManagement,and Global Marketing teams to ensureadditive innovations andspeed to marketfromideathrough tolaunch.

Act as an integrator between global functions and markets, ensuring clarity and alignment on scope, consumer insight, category dynamics, and commercial implications.

Global Ways of Working and ProcessesEnablement

Champion globally consistent innovation ways of working thatdrive cross-marketand cross functionalcollaboration and speed to market.

Foster a culture that encourages bold, consumer‑led thinking.

TeamContribution andLeadership

Be an engaged member of the GlobalMarketing & Innovation Team, contributing to overall brand and portfolio strategy.

Key Skills / Attributes:

• 5+ years of proven experience leading brand innovation strategy, developing pipelines and launching new products in FMCG/CPG, ideally within food, dairy, or nutrition.
• Strong track record of cross-functional collaboration, bringing together enabling partners such as R&D, Regulatory, Legal and BU Commercial teams to deliver scalable innovation.
• Well-versed in global consumer trends and category dynamics, with the ability to turn insights into commerciallyviableinnovation.
• Commercially minded with a strong balance of creativity and strategic thinking.
• Skilledatmanaging multiple projectsin matrixed environments with strong attention to detail and delivery.
• Effective communicator and collaborator, with experience influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• Passionate about innovation and developing product concepts that are distinct and relevant with consumers and strengthens brand equity.
• CustomerFocus :Puts the consumer at the heart of innovation—champions consumer insight as the foundation for pipeline development.
• Curiosity :Brings alearning mindset and actively seeks outnew ideas, technologies, and ways of working.
• Forward-Looking :Anticipatesfuturetrends,andsupports the creation of long‑term roadmaps.
• WorkingTogether :Collaborates acrossmarkets and functions to drivealigned execution to achieve the brands ambition.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Tuesday 17th November, 2026