At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovation projects and develop exciting new beauty products.
- Company: Join Potter & Moore, a top UK beauty innovator with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, life assurance, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Collaborative team atmosphere with clear career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the beauty industry and drive innovation.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in product innovation and strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Potter & Moore is one of the UK's leading beauty and personal care innovators, combining brand ownership, product development expertise and large-scale manufacturing capabilities. Operating from manufacturing sites in Peterborough and Tiverton, we develop and manufacture over 44 million units annually across skincare, haircare, personal care, wellbeing and baby care categories. Our products are supplied through a diverse business model encompassing owned brands, private label partnerships and contract manufacturing for some of the UK's most recognised retailers and beauty brands.
Innovation sits at the heart of our growth strategy. We continuously explore emerging consumer trends, ingredient technologies, product formats and sustainability solutions to create products that excite consumers and deliver value for our customers. As we continue to grow, we are investing in our innovation capabilities and are looking for an experienced Innovation Manager to help shape the future pipeline of products, technologies and customer opportunities across both our Brand and Private Label businesses.
This is a highly visible role offering the opportunity to influence business strategy, work directly with leading retailers and brand partners, and drive the commercialisation of new ideas from concept through to market launch.
Role Description
We are seeking a commercially focused Innovation Manager to identify, develop and commercialise future product opportunities across our Brand and Private Label businesses. This role sits at the intersection of consumer trends, customer needs, technical innovation and commercial growth. The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying emerging opportunities, translating them into commercial product concepts and working cross-functionally to bring them to market.
The role will be highly customer-facing, acting as an innovation ambassador for Potter & Moore, presenting trends, technologies and product concepts to both existing and prospective customers. They will work closely with Commercial, Brand, R&D, Procurement and Supply Chain teams to ensure opportunities are technically feasible, commercially viable and aligned with business strategy.
Whilst not a laboratory-based role, a strong understanding of cosmetic chemistry, formulation technologies, ingredients and the global supply base is essential. The Innovation Manager will lead innovation strategy and concept development, supported by an Innovation Chemist who will report directly into the role. The successful candidate will combine horizon scanning, technical understanding and commercial acumen to build a robust innovation pipeline that drives customer engagement, category growth and new business opportunities.
Role Objective
- Develop and own the innovation pipeline.
- Conduct global trend analysis, horizon scanning and market intelligence to identify future growth opportunities.
- Translate emerging trends, technologies and consumer insights into commercially viable product concepts.
- Lead the commercialisation of innovation projects from concept through to launch.
- Act as a customer-facing innovation expert, presenting concepts, technologies and category opportunities to customers and prospects.
- Partner with Commercial teams to support customer growth, retention and new business acquisition.
- Build strong relationships with suppliers to identify emerging ingredients, technologies, formats and sustainability opportunities.
- Ensure innovation activities align with business strategy, customer requirements and category growth ambitions.
- Manage and develop the Innovation Chemist, ensuring strong technical support for innovation projects.
Main Responsibilities
Innovation & Trend Leadership
- Lead global trend analysis, horizon scanning and market monitoring across beauty, personal care, wellbeing and adjacent categories.
- Identify emerging consumer behaviours, technologies, ingredients and formats with commercial potential.
- Develop innovation platforms and future product roadmaps aligned to customer and brand strategies.
- Present innovation updates, category reviews and trend reports to internal stakeholders and customers.
Commercial & Customer Engagement
- Work closely with Commercial and Brand teams to identify opportunities for growth within existing and prospective customers.
- Lead innovation sessions, customer workshops and capability presentations.
- Translate customer challenges and strategic objectives into compelling product solutions.
- Support customer pitches, tender submissions and innovation showcases.
- Act as an ambassador for Potter & Moore's technical and innovation capabilities.
Innovation Commercialisation
- Develop commercially robust business cases for innovation opportunities.
- Drive projects from concept through feasibility, validation and launch.
- Work cross-functionally to ensure concepts are scalable, compliant and commercially viable.
- Monitor innovation success and identify opportunities for optimisation and expansion.
Technical & Supply Base Development
- Maintain strong knowledge of cosmetic chemistry, formulation technologies and ingredient functionality.
- Build strategic relationships with ingredient suppliers, packaging suppliers and technology partners.
- Identify opportunities for new technologies, ingredients and product formats.
- Support technical evaluation and feasibility assessments through the Innovation Chemist and wider R&D team.
- Monitor regulatory, sustainability and ESG developments that may influence future innovation opportunities.
People Leadership
- Manage and develop the Innovation Chemist.
- Foster a culture of curiosity, creativity and commercial innovation.
- Ensure strong collaboration between Commercial, Brand, R&D and Supply Chain teams.
Candidate Description
Experience
- 5+ years’ experience in product innovation, formulation development, R&D, or brand-led innovation within FMCG or personal care.
- Proven experience delivering product development projects from concept through to technical validation and launch.
- Experience working in cross-functional teams within a technical or consumer product environment.
Skills & Knowledge
- Strong understanding of consumer product development processes and innovation stage-gate delivery.
- Ability to translate consumer insight and trend data into clear, technically grounded product concepts.
- Strong analytical thinking with the ability to balance creativity with feasibility and commercial reality.
- Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple innovation streams.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to influence technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Personal Qualities
- Hands-on problem solver who turns ambiguity into clear, practical actions and development plans.
- Collaborative team player who actively builds trust and works closely across technical and creative functions to get things done.
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, delivery-focused environment, balancing speed with technical rigour and attention to detail.
- Energetic and improvement-driven, with a strong bias for action and a passion for sustainability and making innovation happen.
Who We Are & How We Work
We're a fast-moving, team-first business where the best idea wins regardless of where it comes from. Hierarchy doesn't slow us down - collaboration does the heavy lifting. People here take full ownership of their work, from the spark of an idea all the way through to results on shelf and numbers on a page. There's no passing the baton and walking away; you see it through, you learn from it, and you make it better next time. We move quickly and adapt without drama. If a problem needs solving, we solve it — we don't wait for the perfect conditions or the perfect brief. That agility isn't just a working style, it's genuinely how we're structured: flexible in how and where we work, lean enough to make decisions fast, and trusting enough to give talented people real responsibility from day one. This is a place where curious, driven, solutions-focused people do some of their best work — because they're given the space, the autonomy, and the team around them to make it happen. If you're energised by pace, motivated by ownership, and want to feel the direct impact of your work on a brand you're proud of, you'll fit right in.
What We Can Offer You
- Competitive Salary & Benefits: We believe in rewarding the hard work and dedication of our employees with a comprehensive compensation package. Our standard benefits include Life Assurance, Employee Assistance Programme, Employee Benefits Platform to name a few.
- Dynamic Work Environment: Be part of a vibrant, collaborative team where innovation and creativity are encouraged.
- Career Growth: Take advantage of clear career pathways, mentorship opportunities, and the chance to take on new challenges and responsibilities.
Innovation Manager in Cambridge employer: Potter & Moore Innovations
At Potter & Moore, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and innovative employer that fosters a collaborative work culture where every idea is valued. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through clear career pathways and mentorship opportunities, allowing you to take ownership of your projects and see the direct impact of your work. Located in the vibrant manufacturing hubs of Peterborough and Tiverton, we offer a competitive salary and benefits package, alongside a supportive environment that encourages creativity and agility in the beauty and personal care industry.
Contact Details:
Potter & Moore Innovations Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Manager in Cambridge
✨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 Potter & Moore Innovations.
✨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 Potter & Moore Innovations.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Manager in Cambridge
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 Potter & Moore Innovations 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 Potter & Moore Innovations 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 Potter & Moore Innovations
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at Potter & Moore Innovations, 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 Potter & Moore Innovations 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 Potter & Moore Innovations, 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.
