At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead exciting product and packaging innovation projects from ideation to execution.
- Company: GU Desserts, a passionate brand creating indulgent desserts.
- Benefits: 27 days holiday, enhanced maternity/paternity, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Join a team that values food trends and consumer-led innovation.
- Why this job: Shape new dessert experiences in a collaborative and creative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in product innovation and strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
At GU Desserts, we’re passionate about creating indulgent, high-quality desserts that our customers love. We’re looking for an experienced and creative Innovation Manager to join our team and lead exciting product and packaging innovation projects from ideation to execution. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who thrives on turning consumer insight into commercially successful products, while working cross‑functionally to deliver innovation that is desirable, feasible, scalable, and aligned with our brand vision.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Lead end‑to‑end NPD/EPD and packaging projects, ensuring delivery on time and within budget.
- Transform consumer insights, category trends, and market research into compelling product concepts.
- Conduct store visits, competitor reviews, and trend analysis to identify new innovation opportunities.
- Write engaging concept papers and kitchen briefs that bring ideas to life for internal teams.
- Assess technical and commercial feasibility, support prototype development, and help define scalable manufacturing solutions.
- Drive projects through the stage‑gate process, ensuring all innovation activity meets required milestones and criteria.
- Craft compelling stories and presentations that inspire both internal and external stakeholders.
What We’re Looking For
- Proven experience in product innovation, NPD/EPD, or a related role.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Commercially aware with experience in business case development and financial assessment.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to turn insights into actionable concepts.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
- A passion for food innovation and creating products consumers genuinely love.
The Mindset You’ll Bring
- Pioneering – always exploring emerging trends, ingredients, and ideas.
- Accountable – committed to delivering results and meeting deadlines.
- Collaborative – able to align teams behind a clear vision.
- Considerate – mindful of others while maintaining momentum.
- Energetic – enthusiastic, proactive, and driven in a fast‑paced environment.
Why Join GU?
At GU Desserts, innovation sits at the heart of what we do. You’ll have the opportunity to shape exciting new dessert experiences for a much‑loved brand, working with passionate teams in a collaborative and creative environment. If you’re excited by food trends, consumer‑led innovation, and bringing bold ideas to life, we’d love to hear from you.
Benefits
- 27 days holiday.
- Increased holiday with length of service.
- Option to buy more holiday.
- Enhanced maternity/paternity (Maternity is 6 months full pay after 2 years of service. 3 months full for 1-2 years).
- Free Gu.
- Flexi week opportunity every year.
- Cycle to work.
- Westfield Health Medical Cash Plan.
- Mortgage support.
- Nursery support.
- Grocery Aid support.
- Summer Fridays and December Fridays (finish at 1pm).
- Death in benefit service (Metlife Master trust).
Innovation Manager employer: Gü Desserts | Certified B Corp
At Gu, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters creativity and innovation in the heart of Bishop’s Stortford. As a Packaging Technologist, you will enjoy a range of benefits including generous holiday allowances, enhanced parental leave, and opportunities for personal growth while working alongside passionate colleagues who are dedicated to crafting extraordinary desserts. Join us to make a meaningful impact in a fast-paced environment where your expertise in packaging will be valued and celebrated.
Contact Details:
Gü Desserts | Certified B Corp Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Manager
✨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 Gü Desserts | Certified B Corp.
✨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 Gü Desserts | Certified B Corp.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Manager
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 Gü Desserts | Certified B Corp 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 Gü Desserts | Certified B Corp 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 Gü Desserts | Certified B Corp
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at Gü Desserts | Certified B Corp, 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 Gü Desserts | Certified B Corp 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 Gü Desserts | Certified B Corp, 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.
