INNOVATION SPECIALIST: ADJACENCIES

SAB; Randburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

AB InBev is seeking an Innovation Specialist to lead the creation and validation of consumer insight driven innovations across the zone. You will develop and sustain a balanced pipeline and collaborate across brands to deliver profitable top-line growth, with a focus on regional and local projects through SMART gates to launch.

The role requires a degree in a related field and 2–5 years in brand/consumer insights, with strong project management and cross-functional leadership.

Qualifications

• Three-year related degree required; postgraduate in business/marketing preferred
• Minimum 2–5 years in brand management, consumer insights or marketing strategy consulting
• Experience in ATL and TTL campaigns is preferred
• Strong project management skills and proven delivery across projects
• Established mid-level leadership abilities and cross-functional collaboration

Responsibilities

• Identify innovation opportunities using front-end process
• Maintain a balanced short- to long-term innovation pipeline for the Zone
• Develop and expand liquid and pack innovations aligned to financial targets
• Plan and deliver regional/local projects through SMART gates to launch
• Position brands with differentiated storytelling, purpose and marketing mix
• Build business cases with SKU-level P&L for viability
• Influence stakeholders across levels and bolster cross-functional collaboration
• Support innovation capability building and ZBB management

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Cross-functional teamwork

Agile methodology

Problem solving

Education

Three-year degree in related field

Postgraduate degree in business/marketing (preferred)

STEM degree (any)

Job description

## INNOVATION SPECIALIST: ADJACENCIESApply: HQ Bryanston: Full time: Posted Today: End Date: October 13, 2026 (7 days left to apply): 30104448**Dreaming big is in our DNA. It’s who we are as a company. It’s our culture. It’s our heritage. And more than ever, it’s our future. A future where we’re always looking forward. Always serving up new ways to meet life’s moments. A future where we keep dreaming bigger. We look for people with passion, talent, and curiosity, and provide them with the teammates, resources and opportunities to unleash their full potential. The power we create together – when we combine your strengths with ours – is unstoppable. Are you ready to join a team that dreams as big as you do?**They **key purpose** of this role is to lead the creation and validation of consumer insight driven innovation solutions across the zone, that drive profitable top line growth and achievement of the company’s dream **Key roles and responsibilities:** * Innovation idea and opportunity identification by applying the Front-end innovation process* Developing and sustaining a balanced short- to long-term innovation pipeline for the respective Zone sub-category and brands* Building, expand, develop, romance liquid and pack innovations that support the business’ financial objectives, identifying and working with different business models* Planning and delivering regional and local innovation projects through SMART gate up to launch by defining effective solutions against consumer desirability, technical and supply feasibility, and financial viability* Development of differentiated and compelling brand positioning, -purpose, -ladder, core creative idea and marketing mix* Building concept business cases including P&L at SKU level to determine optimal concept financial viability* Influencing stakeholder at different levels, building and maintaining collaborative cross-functional relationships across the Zone* Supporting innovation capability building, ZBB management **Profile:** * A three-year related degree in a prerequisite; post graduate degree in business/marketing preferred/ any STEM related degree* Minimum 2-5 years related working experience in brand management, consumer insights and/or marketing strategy consulting environment; consumer goods preferred; experienced in ATL and TTL creative and campaigns preferred* Strong project management skills and proven track record of project delivery* Established leadership ability at mid-level* Demonstrated ability to manage projects across multidisciplinary teams.* Proven track record or launched innovation initiatives* Problem Solving/ Agile Methodology capable* Financial business case understanding **Additional Information:** * Band VI AB InBev is an equal opportunity employer, and all appointments will be made in line with AB InBev employment equity plan and talent requirements.The advert has minimum requirements listed. Management reserves the right to use additional/ relevant information as criteria for short-listing.