Senior Science & Innovation Manager

Dawn Farms; Naas; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 22 days

Pension plan

Canteen subsidy

Employee assistance programme

Wellness programme

Parental leave

Job summary

Dawn Farms, based in Naas, Co. Kildare, invites applications for a Science & Innovation Manager to lead the Science & Innovation Department.

The role focuses on driving innovation initiatives, overseeing strategic project implementation, and aligning efforts with Dawn Farms’ growing portfolio of cooked meat, plant-based ingredients, and sausage products. The position demands senior leadership, collaboration across departments, market research, and relationships with external partners to ensure

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Innovation Management, or a related field is required.
• Master’s degree is preferred.
• Proven experience in innovation management, strategic planning, and project management.
• Strong leadership and team management skills with excellent communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Customer innovation teams and projects from conception to implementation.
• Develop and execute strategic plans to drive innovation and improve business processes.
• Lead a team of innovation specialists and project managers, providing leadership and guidance.
• Collaborate with various departments to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement.
• Oversee development and implementation of new products, services, and processes.
• Monitor and evaluate progress of innovation initiatives and report to senior management.
• Foster a culture of innovation and manage budgets and resources for projects.

Skills

Critical Thinking

Problem Solving & Decision Making

Leader

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Established in 1985, Dawn Farms is a family-owned company and the largest dedicated supplier of cooked meat and plant-based ingredients and fermented and dried sausage products outside of the US. The company currently supplies world-leading food brands across more than 44 markets, including the UK, Europe, Asia and Africa.Dawn Farms offers a full-service solution to B2B customers in the pizza, sandwich, snack and prepared meal sectors. All products are produced in state-of-the-art facilities, w

Skills and attributes

• Critical Thinking
• Problem Solving & Decision Making
• Leader

Description

Your recipe for a rewarding career starts here!

Why Dawn Farms?

We can offer an excellent opportunity to be part of a world-class team, equipping our teams with the knowledge and the necessary skills to achieve their full potential. Innovation is a key ingredient of our success in protecting our market position and keeping our competitive edge. To be truly innovative, we invest in recruiting and developing a highly skilled, ambitious and talented team.

Job Purpose

Dawn Farms is currently seeking for a Science & Innovation Manager to join our Science & Innovation Department to be based in our head offices in Naas, Co. Kildare. This Innovation role will be responsible for driving innovation initiatives and overseeing the strategic implementation of projects within the organisation. This role combines the creative and forward-thinking aspects of the Innovation Lead with the strategic and managerial responsibilities for the Customer teams. This senior leadership role will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that innovative ideas are effectively executed and aligned with the company's strategic goals.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Customer innovation teams and projects from conception to implementation, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives.
• Develop and execute strategic plans to drive innovation and improve business processes.
• Lead a team of innovation specialists and project managers, providing leadership and guidance to ensure successful project execution.
• Collaborate with various departments to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement.
• Oversee the development and implementation of new products, services, and processes.
• Monitor and evaluate the progress of innovation initiatives, providing regular updates to senior management.
• Foster a culture of innovation within the organisation, encouraging creative thinking and problem-solving.
• Manage budgets and resources for innovation projects, ensuring efficient use of company assets.
• Conduct market research and analysis to identify trends and opportunities for innovation.
• Develop and maintain relationships with external partners, including vendors, industry experts, and academic institutions.
• Provide leadership and guidance to team members, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Innovation Project Success Rate: Percentage of innovation projects successfully completed within the defined scope, time, and budget.
• Time to Market: Average time taken to develop and launch new products, services, or processes from the initial concept stage.
• Employee Engagement in Innovation: Percentage of employees actively participating in innovation initiatives and contributing ideas.
• Customer Satisfaction with New Innovations: Customer feedback and satisfaction ratings for new products, services, or processes introduced.
• Market Share Growth: Increase in market share attributed to the successful implementation of innovative solutions.
• Cost Savings from Innovation: Financial savings achieved through the implementation of innovative processes or solutions.
• Collaboration and Partnership Effectiveness: Quality and impact of relationships with both internal and external partners, including vendors, industry experts, and academic institutions.
• Continuous Improvement Metrics: Number of process improvements and efficiencies gained through innovation initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, Innovation Management, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred.
• Proven experience in innovation management, strategic planning, and project management.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire others.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on delivering results.
• Experience in managing budgets and resources for large-scale projects.
• Knowledge of industry trends and best practices in innovation and strategic implementation.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, with a strong focus on continuous improvement.

What we can offer you?

• Annual leave 22 days.
• Pension plan.
• Subsidised canteen.
• Employee assistance programme - this programme offers expert wellbeing support 24 hours a day 365 days a year access to counselling, financial information, consumer information, life coaching, health information, autism support, parent coaching, International employee support, all free for you and your family.
• Wellness programme.
• Maternity/Paternity leave benefits.

Dawn Farms is an Equal Opportunity Employer