MAT COVER - Innovation Project Manager, Europe

Join to apply for the MAT COVER – Innovation Project Manager, Europe role at Bacardi.

[Please note this is a Direct Search led by Bacardi, applications from agencies will not be accepted nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs.]

Opportunity

This is not just a role, it\’s a chance to lead one of the most strategically important growth engines for Bacardi in Europe. As Innovation & Insight Manager, you will be at the forefront of transforming how we innovate across categories, brands, and markets, fueling our ambition to deliver cash and profit through consumer‑led, commercially powerful innovation.

With seismic shifts in consumer behaviour, evolving category dynamics, and a rapidly changing customer landscape, the need to renovate and future‑proof our innovation pipeline has never been more urgent. This role is your opportunity to harness deep insights, decode macro trends, and translate them into bold, breakthrough ideas that resonate with tomorrow’s consumer.

You’ll bring together left‑brain rigour (data, insight, commercial acumen) with right‑brain creativity (bold ideas, consumer empathy, and brand storytelling) to identify new growth spaces, bring commercially smart growth opportunities to light, and orchestrate best‑in‑class launches across our iconic portfolio.

This is a high‑impact, cross‑functional role that works across multiple categories and markets, partnering with global and regional teams, operations, and external collaborators. You’ll also help shape the regional innovation strategy, coordinate market inputs, and champion external trends—ensuring Bacardi stays ahead of the curve and connected to what’s next.

If you thrive on creative friction, strategic thinking, and collaborative execution—this is your opportunity to make a real impact and shape the future of Bacardi in Europe.

Responsibilities

• Decode emerging consumer behaviours, macro trends, and shifting category and market dynamics to uncover new growth spaces.
• Lead the development of new products in partnership with global marketing, collaborating across brands, operations, and external partners to craft compelling concepts, packs, and liquids; accountable for P&L and commercials, driving profitable regional scale.
• Partner with EUROC ICM to deliver launch excellence at scale, ensuring timely delivery of sell‑in tools and launch assets, and track performance post‑launch to continuously improve our approach.
• Help upskill the EUROC marketing community and work closely with the global innovation team to evolve our processes and capabilities.
• Monitor industry trends, competitor activity, food & beverage innovation, and macro shifts, sharing actionable insights with regional innovation and marketing teams.
• Deep knowledge of all Innovation Tools (Innovapp, Innovation Dashboard, Anaplan Inno app, Commercialization tracker) to drive efficiency and visibility across projects.

About You – The Qualities To Create Your Legacy

• Proven growth mindset with strong learning agility and leadership skills.
• Minimum 5 years relevant experience (Innovation, Consumer/Brand Marketing, Strategic Insights & Analytics) and proven success in developing and launching new products.
• Experienced in project management, having led complex, cross‑functional projects with internal and external partners.
• Curious and empathetic, able to work across diverse teams and styles.
• Resilient and positive under pressure.
• Skilled at influencing stakeholders across levels, functions, and geographies.
• Commercially astute, confident managing a P&L and translating data into insights and business value.
• Able to lead cross‑functional teams, delegate effectively, and inspire brilliant execution.
• Fluent in English; additional WEUR languages (Spanish, French, German, Dutch, Italian) are a plus.

Leadership Agility

• Belonging: creating a culture of ‘Belonging’ where people feel appreciated for who they are.
• Self‑Awareness: high levels of self‑awareness, reflective, and knowing personal strengths and impacts.
• People Agility: deep ability to understand and relate to people and navigate tough situations.
• Results Agility: consistent delivery of results in first‑time situations by inspiring teams.
• Mental Agility: think critically to penetrate complex problems, expand possibilities by making fresh connections.
• Change Agility: natural curiosity, desire to experiment, ability to effectively deal with the heat of change; growth and learning mindset.

EEO Statement

Disclaimer: Bacardi seeks talent from all backgrounds to bring diversity of thought, agility and capability to our organization across the globe. We promote a working environment where all employees are treated and rewarded fairly. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination that adversely affects individuals or groups on the basis of national origin, race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, and any other legally protected aspect of a person’s identity. U.S. applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws.

Perks of Working for Us

At Bacardi, we are committed to providing our Primos (employees) with a comprehensive Total Rewards package of compensation, benefits, incentives, allowances, well‑being, and much more to meet the needs of themselves and their families. It goes beyond just Cash! The total rewards program is based on pay for performance, whereby the incentive programs are linked to company and individual performance.

Compensation, Paid Time Off & Retirement

• Competitive Pay Package
• Competitive Holiday/Paid Time Off, plus additional days offered (eg. volunteer day, allowing you to give back to the community)
• Retirement/Pension Plan

Health & Wellbeing

• Medical, Critical Illness, and Life Insurance
• Calm Meditation App subscription (free)
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Best‑in‑class, family‑friendly, and inclusive leave policies

Additional Benefits

The benefits/perks may vary depending on the nature of your employment with Bacardi, your work location, and are subject to change. Some benefits may be subject to an employee contribution. Some benefits may be fully or partially subsidized. Incentive plans are linked to the nature of your employment and can vary based on region, market, function or brand.