Innovation Manager

The Creightons Plc group is made up of a select group of brands specialising in the creation of high-quality personal care and beauty products for the consumer and trade market. Potter + Moore Innovations Ltd is the key trading company based in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire and focuses on the design, manufacture and distribution of product in its three key operating functions; Brands (owned), Private Label Supply and Contract Manufacturing. Our customer base ranges from key multiple drugstore, grocery and fashion retailers to premium brands and are supplied throughout the UK and growing international markets.

We have a reputation for exceptional customer service, consistently leading the way forward in product and brand development and manufacturing resulting in Creightons Plc not only leading the way but setting standards.

Brands: Ranging in format and market position within several key health + beauty categories including bath, shower and body care, skincare, haircare, well-being, male grooming, fine fragrance and baby. Our core award winning brands include Feather & Down, Balance Active Formula, T Zone, The Curl Company, Janina and Creightons.

We are seeking a creative, commercially minded Innovation Manager / Chemist to lead the development of breakthrough products and technologies. The ideal candidate will drive the innovation pipeline from idea to launch, ensuring alignment with consumer insights, sustainability goals, market trends, and business strategy. An opportunity to shape the future of personal care products in a fast-paced, innovative environment.

You will be responsible for creating a culture of innovation, managing innovation projects, and identifying new opportunities for growth and improvement.

• Lead Innovation Pipeline: Develop and manage a 3–5-year innovation roadmap for toiletries (e.g., soaps, shampoos, deodorants, oral care, etc.).
• Trend Analysis & Consumer Insights: Monitor global and regional trends in personal care, identifying unmet consumer needs and opportunities.
• Concept Development: Translate insights into winning product concepts, prototypes, and business cases.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Work closely with R&D, Marketing, Supply Chain, Regulatory, and external partners to drive innovation projects.
• Product Launch Support: Collaborate with brand teams on go-to-market strategies and support post-launch performance analysis.
• Sustainability & Compliance: Ensure innovations meet sustainability targets and regulatory requirements.
• Open Innovation: Source and evaluate external technologies, partners, and suppliers to accelerate innovation.
• Performance Tracking: Track KPIs for innovation projects including time-to-market, cost, and consumer satisfaction.

• Team Engagement: Working hand in hand with Brand and Private Label teams to identify new product formats, textures and execution to drive both Brand and Customer Account sales growth.
• Driving and presenting new trends on a regular basis along with a full understanding of the current market and new launches.
• Customer & Client Management: Engage with and build relationships with customers and client technical teams acting as an ambassador for P&M demonstrating our technical capabilities and expertise.
• Supporting sales and brand teams with opening new areas of development with existing customers.
• Assist with new customer onboarding – detailing and training NPD processes, blacklists and specific policies.
• Formulation Development: Investigate and develop new formulation technologies in line with emerging trends, through building strong relationships with raw material suppliers etc.
• Investigate new product category feasibility for new areas of development based on identified trends and business strategy.
• Investigate and develop understanding of new areas of claims substantiation and product testing.
• Review market to understand potential for cost savings.
• Support with costings and re-quotes on existing business.
• Technical Expertise: Provide technical expertise in areas relating to risk management, including Risk Analysis and scale up, packaging amends etc.
• Review SOPs and coordinate with quality team to ensure in line with BRC / ISO requirements as well as amend due to issues occurring within the business.
• Lead on finding solutions to formulation issues, complaints and specification non-conformances.
• Raw Materials: Coordinate, investigate and validate the onboarding of new sources of raw materials to support with ongoing cost saving and cost mitigation.
• Investigation and validation of raw materials stemming for issues within supply chain to maintain CPAs and MRP.
• Investigate and support in matters relating to ESG of raw materials, focusing on sustainability, customer specific policies and planned legislative updates (microplastics, palm etc).

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Marketing, Business, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in innovation, product development, or brand management, preferably within FMCG or toiletries/personal care sectors.
• Proven track record of delivering successful product innovations from ideation to market.
• Strong analytical, project management, and communication skills.
• Passion for consumer-centric design, sustainability, and continuous improvement.

• Competitive Salary & Benefits: We believe in rewarding the hard work and dedication of our employees with a comprehensive compensation package.
• 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.
• Inclusive Culture: Join a diverse and inclusive workplace where different perspectives are valued, and everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
• Impactful Work: Contribute to meaningful projects that have a real impact on our customers, community, and industry.

We are committed to creating a supportive and enriching environment where you can thrive both professionally and personally.