At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the creation of an innovative design lab for future food packaging solutions.
- Company: Join a pioneering company transforming the food packaging industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Exciting chance to build a new team and influence the future of packaging.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of packaging innovation and drive meaningful change.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in packaging innovation with strong leadership and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Our client is currently going through a landmark period on its timeline. Expanding their product offering, they are looking for a leader with vision and drive to head up their new innovation design lab. This is an unmissable opportunity to build a new innovation capability from the ground up that will drive the future of food packaging for our client and its partners, and be recognised as a driver of change.
In this role you will be responsible for setting up all aspects of the new Innovation Design Lab. You will be a recognised industry leader in packaging innovation and skilled at leveraging design thinking and innovation approaches to develop future packaging opportunities and solutions that are consumer relevant and built on market and category insights and enabled by science and technologies. You will be commercially savvy and a skilled communicator to ensure the Lab is central to the growth of the company and its partners and position our client as an innovation catalyst.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES- Accountable for creating a pipeline of Design Lab innovation projects that support the company and partners long term innovation goals.
- Managing projects from scoping to delivery, engaging key customers and internal stakeholders to set up activities for success.
- Be a champion for insight led innovation by partnering with our Market Intelligence Consumer Insights team to identify customer and consumer opportunities.
- Partner with R&D, Innovation, and technology experts across the company to enable industry leading and holistic future packaging solutions.
- Connect technology venturing and scouting activities to brief innovation challenges and inspire solutions.
- Partner with sales teams to commercialise the Future Packaging Lab and position the company as an innovation catalyst.
- Subject matter expert in design thinking and sprints, including agile innovation methods to enable rapid framing of challenges, insight identification and sense making, solution development/prototyping and consumer testing.
- Provide support directly to business segments for their innovation projects.
- Develop internal capability for small-volume prototyping (test and learn across different technologies).
- Build and manage an external design agency network to support all design, prototyping and consumer research activities.
- Translate and scale Future Pack Lab projects into business opportunities.
- 15+ years’ experience of working in the packaging industry / FMCG R&D as an innovation leader.
- Expert in Innovation and portfolio management.
- Extensive experience in design strategy / design management / design thinking activities.
- Inspirational people leader with experience of developing new capabilities and team start-up.
- Customer focus and drive for results to ensure the commercial viability of the Lab enterprise.
- Exceptional communication skills to inspire stakeholders on the future of packaging.
- Ability to work across functions and businesses, driving teams without direct authority.
- Entrepreneurial spirit to make things happen.
Head of Innovation Design Lab employer: Harrison Scott Associates
Our client is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead the establishment of an Innovation Design Lab that will shape the future of food packaging. With a strong focus on employee growth and collaboration, the company fosters a dynamic work culture where innovation thrives, and team members are empowered to drive meaningful change. Located UK wide, this role not only provides competitive benefits but also positions you at the forefront of industry advancements, making it an ideal place for passionate innovators to flourish.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Innovation Design Lab
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry leaders, attend events, and join relevant online communities. The more people you know in the packaging innovation space, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your past projects and successes in innovation design. This will not only demonstrate your skills but also give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to innovation and design thinking. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in the past and how you can apply those experiences to the new role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find and apply for roles that match your skills. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of our innovative journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Innovation Design Lab
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Innovation:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for innovation shine through! We want to see how your vision aligns with our goal of driving change in food packaging. Share specific examples of your past experiences that demonstrate your innovative mindset.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight your experience in packaging and design thinking, and connect it to the responsibilities outlined in the job description. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the position.
Be Clear and Concise:We appreciate clarity! Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and skills. Remember, we’re looking for a leader who can communicate effectively!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised on our end!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harrison Scott Associates
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends and technologies in packaging innovation. Brush up on design thinking methodologies and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in past roles. This will show that you’re not just a leader, but a knowledgeable one.
✨Showcase Your Vision
Prepare to articulate your vision for the Innovation Design Lab. Think about how you would create a pipeline of projects and engage stakeholders. Use examples from your experience to illustrate how you’ve successfully driven innovation in previous roles.
✨Engage with Insight
Be ready to discuss how you’ve partnered with market intelligence teams to identify consumer opportunities. Highlight any specific insights that led to successful innovations in your past work. This will demonstrate your ability to champion insight-led innovation.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice your communication skills! You’ll need to inspire various stakeholders, so think about how you can convey complex ideas simply and engagingly. Prepare a few key messages that encapsulate your approach to leading the lab and driving change.
