At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape Avon’s future by developing innovative beauty products that excite customers.
- Company: Join Avon, a 135-year-old beauty pioneer committed to purpose and community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy wellness resources, work-life balance support, and a comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture where your unique voice matters.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team creating award-winning products that empower self-expression.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant field and 3 years' experience in product development or buying.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
You’ve picked a great time to join Avon.
We’re the company that puts purpose, people and relationships at the heart of everything we do.
The company that’s 135 years young and only just getting started.
As part of the Regent LP family, we’re committed to being the best beauty company for the world by generating a positive environmental, economic and social impact for our communities across the globe.
Role Type Permanent
What you’ll be doing: As an Innovation Specialist, you’ll play a key role in shaping Avon’s future product portfolio by identifying emerging trends, translating consumer insights into commercially successful product concepts, and supporting the development of innovative ranges that excite our customers.
Working as part of the Global Marketing Team and reporting to the Beauty+ Innovation & Buying Lead, you’ll collaborate with cross‑functional teams and global suppliers to bring products from concept to launch.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a passion for product innovation, strong commercial awareness, and a desire to influence the future direction of Avon’s Beauty+ categories.
Key responsibilities
- Supporting the development of annual innovation plans and product ideation aligned with category and business strategies.
- Building commercially compelling product ranges based on consumer insights, market trends, and competitive analysis.
- Managing and supporting the end‑to‑end New Product Development (NPD) process to ensure products are delivered on time and to plan.
- Collaborating with Product Development, Procurement, Brand, Planning, Supply Chain, Forecasting, and other cross‑functional teams to deliver innovation projects.
- Using market research, trend analysis, and consumer insights to identify new product opportunities and recommend product assortments.
- Creating detailed product and design briefs with clear specifications and creative direction for suppliers and vendors.
- Partnering with Product Development teams to ensure quality, performance, design optimisation, and target cost achievement.
- Supporting supplier management activities, including cost negotiations, MOQ discussions, lead time management, and margin optimisation.
- Contributing to sourcing strategies by identifying opportunities, gaps, and potential supplier solutions.
- Maintaining accurate product data and ensuring information integrity throughout the product lifecycle.
- Analysing sales performance and market results to generate insights and recommendations for future product ranges.
- Supporting the successful launch and ongoing performance of new products across international markets.
- Providing guidance and day‑to‑day support to junior team members and administrative colleagues when required.
- What we’re looking for
- Degree‑level qualification in Buying, Marketing, Fashion, Business, or a related discipline.
- Minimum of 3 years' experience in Buying, Product Development, New Product Development (NPD), Category Management, or a related field.
- Experience working with consumer products, ideally within beauty, fashion, home, FMCG, or a similar industry.
- Strong commercial awareness and an eye for product design, trends, and customer needs.
- Ability to interpret market data, consumer insights, and sales performance to support business decisions.
- Experience collaborating with cross‑functional stakeholders in a fast‑paced, matrix environment.
- Strong negotiation skills with exposure to supplier management, pricing, margins, lead times, and cost optimisation.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills with the ability to build effective working relationships across multiple teams.
- Strong analytical skills and confidence working with data to identify opportunities and support decision‑making.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Power Point and Excel.
- Understanding of product sourcing, manufacturing processes, and supplier relationships.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and delivering against deadlines.
- A proactive, adaptable, and solution‑focused approach with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement.
- Previous people management or mentoring experience would be an advantage.
- Experience within the beauty industry would be beneficial but is not essential.
What we offer
We offer a comprehensive benefits package along with wellness resources and work‑life balance support in line with your country practices and Avon purpose aiming to help you live a healthier life, protect you and your dear ones, and ensure you’re at your best.
At Avon, we believe beauty is for everyone and that it’s beautiful to be you.
We celebrate our differences, champion self‑expression and are committed to inclusion for all.
We embrace diversity and individuality to build a culture that represents our communities and enables everyone to bring their best self to work.
We also support reasonable adjustments both within our recruitment process and job design when required to empower you to work in a way that works for you.
We’re committed to doing good with our people, purpose and product.
Because the work we do impacts more than just our bottom line, it impacts people’s lives.
Working at Avon, you’ll have opportunities to stretch your abilities alongside a team of passionate and talented people.
You’ll be part of a company that consistently brings breakthrough, award‑winning products to market, with inclusive beauty that is open and accessible to all.
You’ll be part of a company that has been doing beauty differently for over 135 years.
Pioneering in listening to women’s needs and speaking out for them.
Standing for what matters to them.
Supporting their endeavours.
We believe in the power of the collective.
We create an environment where you can do purposeful work and have a meaningful career.
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Innovation Specialist in Northampton employer: 449 AVON COSMETICS POLSKA SP. Z.O.O.
Avon is an exceptional employer that prioritises purpose, people, and relationships, creating a vibrant work culture where innovation thrives. As an Innovation Specialist, you'll enjoy comprehensive benefits, wellness resources, and opportunities for personal and professional growth while collaborating with passionate teams to shape the future of beauty. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, Avon empowers you to bring your authentic self to work, making a meaningful impact in communities worldwide.
Contact Details:
449 AVON COSMETICS POLSKA SP. Z.O.O. Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Specialist in Northampton
✨Leverage Innovation Hubs
Tap into local innovation hubs and research centres. These places often host events and workshops where you can meet like-minded people and industry leaders. Plus, they might have job openings that aren't widely advertised, so keep your ears open!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Turn your past innovation projects into compelling stories. Create a portfolio showcasing your creativity and problem-solving skills. This can give hiring managers a real flavour of what you can bring to the table at companies like 449 AVON COSMETICS POLSKA SP. Z.O.O..
✨Connect at Industry Conferences
Make it a point to attend industry conferences and seminars focused on R&D and innovation management. These events are fantastic for networking and often have job boards or career fairs where you can connect directly with firms looking for talent.
✨Use Your University’s Resources
If you're fresh out of university, don't forget to tap into your institution's career services. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies seeking new talent in R&D, especially for full-time roles. It's a good shortcut to landing a gig at places like 449 AVON COSMETICS POLSKA SP. Z.O.O..
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Specialist in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Creative Thinking:In innovation and R&D management, it's all about thinking outside the box. Make sure your CV highlights any projects or experiences that showcase your creative problem-solving skills. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've developed and implemented innovative ideas in previous roles.
Tailor Your Experience to R&D:When you're crafting your CV, focus on your experience in research and development. Highlight any relevant projects you've worked on, including methodologies used and results achieved. This will show us at 449 AVON COSMETICS POLSKA SP. Z.O.O. that you understand the R&D process and can contribute meaningfully to our projects.
Let Your Passion Shine in the Cover Letter:For a full-time role like this, your cover letter should reflect your genuine passion for innovation and development. Share your excitement about the opportunity to work at 449 AVON COSMETICS POLSKA SP. Z.O.O. and touch on how your goals align with our mission. This helps us see your motivation for wanting to join our team!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in R&D! Whenever possible, quantify your achievements in your CV. Whether it’s a percentage improvement in project outcomes, the budget size you’ve managed, or the number of successful products you've launched, these figures will help paint a clearer picture of your impact and capabilities.
How to prepare for a job interview at 449 AVON COSMETICS POLSKA SP. Z.O.O.
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at 449 AVON COSMETICS POLSKA SP. Z.O.O., they're going to want to see how you approach problem-solving. Be ready to discuss previous projects where you introduced a new idea or process. Highlight your ability to think outside the box and provide examples where your innovations drove significant results.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Technologies
Make sure you're clued up on the latest tools and technologies related to innovation management, such as project management software and data analysis platforms. Being able to discuss specific tools you’ve used or have experience with will show 449 AVON COSMETICS POLSKA SP. Z.O.O. that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since this is a full-time gig, emphasising your teamwork skills will be essential. In innovation, collaboration often sparks the best ideas, so be ready to talk about how you've worked effectively within cross-functional teams in your past roles. Have concrete examples at the ready!
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions in your interview that reflect real challenges you might face in the role. £At 449 AVON COSMETICS POLSKA SP. Z.O.O., they might want to see how you handle tight deadlines or manage conflicting ideas within a team. Prepare some responses that demonstrate your critical thinking and decisiveness in high-pressure situations.
