At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative research projects and shape the future of consumer insights.
- Company: Join HEINEKEN, a global leader in the drinks industry with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, annual bonus, private healthcare, and 35 days holiday.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be the voice of the consumer and drive impactful innovation in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in innovation research and strong data interpretation skills.
The predicted salary is between 51000 - 57000 £ per year.
Location: London (nr. Oxford Street), a mix of office and home working
Salary: £51,000 - £57,000 (depending on experience) + performance bonus, in addition to full benefits listed below.
Contract: Fixed Term - 9 Months
Latest Closing Date: 25th August 206. Please note, we may close vacancies early where we receive significant numbers of applications, so don’t delay!
As the UK’s leading pub, cider, and beer business, we’re home to some of the world’s best-loved ciders and beers, and a leading player in the international drinks industry.
About the Role
Reporting into the Head of Consumer and Shopper Insight, you’ll support in executing all relevant research and insight gathering relating to innovation development. The Innovation Insight Manager will be involved with developing and embedding compelling consumer insights and understanding to shape the HUK innovation pipeline. As the ‘voice of the consumer’, you’ll collate knowledge from multiple sources to inspire the innovation and brand teams on the future direction of the category. Through analysing research and monitoring consumer trends you will build up specialist market knowledge which you’ll then effectively communicate back to stakeholders, recommending actions that will be key in allowing stakeholders to be well informed with their decision-making.
Key Accountabilities
- Commissioning and managing research projects including concept development and validation, packaging and liquid testing.
- Enabling our innovation team to "think consumer first" by proactively delivering consumer and future trends insight that inspires exploration of white spaces and unmet consumer needs.
- Ensuring innovation ideas are built upon deep consumer insights and stay true to the consumer throughout the innovation process.
- Be an expert in self-service and agile methodologies to drive our cost and value agenda, striving for continuous improvement of processes and methodologies at all points in the development process.
Who we’re looking for
We’re looking for a big picture thinker with a desire to learn! Alongside excellent communication skills you’ll bring complex data and themes to life. You’ll need to be organised and very good at managing multiple stakeholders, making sure you’re keeping everyone updated and informed. Building good relationships is key for this role, so ideally, you’ll enjoy working collaboratively.
What you’ll likely have
- Strong experience of innovation research methodologies.
- Good data interpretation and reporting skills.
- The ability to bring your outside/agency experience into HUK.
- Experience with working with large data sets.
We embrace learning and growth, and we anticipate there is scope to develop in this role. You’re also likely to bring experiences to this role that are not listed above – as long as you have a thirst for learning and development, not every box needs to be ticked when it comes to skillsets.
Our Ways of Working
Our office sites operate a hybrid model. You’ll spend Tuesdays, Thursdays and one other day in the office and two days from home, although you’re more than welcome to come and work from the office on those days too.
Our Benefits
- Discretionary Annual bonus.
- Company funded Private Medical Healthcare.
- Double matched pension contributions (up to 10%).
- 35 days holiday (with the opportunity to buy/sell).
- A monthly case of our delicious ciders and beers!
- Exciting opportunities to develop your career.
You’ll also get the opportunity to join our colleague networks, in which people from across the business connect to help champion diversity, equity and inclusion, ensuring we’re continuing to give people a voice.
About Us
We’re the world’s most international brewer and the name behind a host of brilliant beers and ciders, from Birra Moretti, to Strongbow, to Cruzcampo and many more. It’s a fantastic time to join us. We’re leading the way in low and no alcohol innovation, pioneering new technologies to meet our ambitious environmental goals and investing in our pubs to keep them at the centre of their communities. When you join us, we’ll back you to reach your full potential. You’ll enjoy unique development opportunities, unforgettable experiences and a reward package that goes far beyond the salary you receive. There’s no better place to untap your future.
Innovation Development Manager employer: Heineken
At HEINEKEN UK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that champions collaboration and innovation. As a Technician in our brewing team, you'll enjoy competitive benefits, including 32 days of holiday, wellbeing support, and comprehensive development opportunities through our Upskill-Reskill programme. Join us in a role where your contributions directly impact the production of beloved brands while being part of a community-focused company that values every employee's growth and success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Development Manager
✨Dive into Innovation Events
Get yourself noticed by attending innovation and R&D conferences in your area, like the local hackathons or industry networking events. These are great opportunities to connect with key players in the field and potentially uncover temporary roles at companies like Heineken.
✨Leverage Online Communities
Join online platforms like LinkedIn Groups or Slack channels focused on R&D and innovation. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and make your name known—this visibility could lead to temporary gigs or even recommendations from industry peers.
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio
Create a digital portfolio that highlights your previous projects in R&D and innovation management. Include case studies or any innovative solutions you’ve developed—this will not only impress recruiters but make you stand out for temporary roles like the one at Heineken.
✨Explore Flexible Opportunities on Our Platform
Make sure to check out temporary positions posted directly on our website. We often have fresh opportunities, so applying through us can give you an edge in landing roles that fit your skills in innovation and R&D management.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Creative Side:In the world of innovation and R&D management, we want to see your creative thinking skills shining through! Make sure to include examples of how you've successfully led or contributed to innovative projects in your CV. Highlight any initiatives where your ideas helped bring a product to market or improved a process.
Flexibility is Key:Since this is a temporary role, emphasise your adaptability in your application. Mention situations where you've had to quickly pivot or learn new skills to tackle a problem. This shows we can rely on you to hit the ground running and contribute right away.
Be Specific About Your Impact:Use quantifiable achievements to outline the impact of your work in previous roles. Talk about specific projects you've worked on in R&D, detailing how your management improved outcomes, timeframes, or innovation metrics. Numbers speak volumes and help us understand your contributions better!
Tailor Your Application for Us:When applying, make sure to tailor your CV and cover letter specifically for Heineken. Research what ongoing projects or innovations they are working on and align your skills and experiences with those areas. It shows your interest in the company and the role, and makes your application pop!
How to prepare for a job interview at Heineken
✨Show Your Creative Process
For a temporary role in innovation R&D management, it's crucial to demonstrate how you approach problem-solving and creativity. Be ready to share specific projects or ideas where you've turned a concept into a tangible solution. Think about what tools or methodologies you've used—like design thinking or Agile practices—and be prepared to discuss them!
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Innovation roles often involve the use of specific software or tools for project management and development. Make sure you're familiar with industry-standard programmes, whether that’s project management tools like Trello or Asana, or prototyping software. Brush up on these tools so you can confidently discuss how they enhance your workflow.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Given that this is a temporary position, showcasing your ability to adapt quickly is key. Be prepared to discuss examples where you’ve had to pivot or alter your approach on short notice. Employers want to know you can hit the ground running and adjust your strategies as needed.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect interviews in innovation roles to include scenario-based questions that assess how you’d handle real-life challenges. Think of hypothetical situations related to project delays or team conflicts and how you would address them. Having a couple of these in your back pocket can really demonstrate your critical thinking and leadership skills!
