Innovation Project Manager, End-to-End R&D

Nestle SA; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

Job summary

Nestlé USA seeks an Innovation Project Manager to drive end-to-end PM for Front End Innovation initiatives at our Regional R&D center for North America. You will steer projects from market insights through ideation, development, prototyping, and rapid testing, coordinating cross-functional teams to align strategy and governance for rapid, data-driven decisions.

You will manage multi-disciplinary teams across food safety, regulatory compliance, supplier onboarding, and testing of prototypes,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering, or related field required.
• 7+ years in consumer product goods experience, incl. new concepts.
• 2+ years leading a project team.
• Knowledge of food industry, consumer research, manufacturing, packaging, and commercial functions.
• PM and coaching skills in Innovation; PM certification a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning across scope, timing, budget, resources, risks, and ownership using PM, design-thinking, and agile practices.
• Set credible, ambitious pace; clarify accountabilities and handoffs.
• Synthesize inputs into clear recommendations and tradeoffs.
• Communicate progress to Executive Leadership; maintain governance across phases.
• Lead end-to-end innovation testing from ideation to prototype and manufacturing, typically within 8 months.
• Facilitate ideation sessions linking ideas to business priorities and consumer needs.
• Collaborate with Innovation Insights, Design, Prototyping, and external partners to test assumptions.
• Coach teams in agile innovation practices and establish post-closure transfer plans.

Skills

Project management

Agile methodologies

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Science/Engineering or related field

Job description

Nestlé USA seeks an Innovation Project Manager to drive end-to-end PM for Front End Innovation initiatives at our Regional R&D center for North America. You will steer projects from market insights through ideation, development, prototyping, and rapid testing, coordinating cross-functional teams to align strategy and governance for rapid, data-driven decisions.

You will manage multi-disciplinary teams across food safety, regulatory compliance, supplier onboarding, and testing of prototypes,