At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative product development and shape long-term strategies for global brands.
- Company: Join a dynamic global food business at a pivotal growth stage.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative international environment with a focus on consumer-led innovation.
- Why this job: Influence the future of iconic brands and drive sustainable innovation.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in FMCG innovation and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 70000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced innovation leader to join a global branded food business at a pivotal stage in its growth. This is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping and delivering the long-term innovation strategy across key global product categories.
Working within a highly collaborative international environment, you will lead breakthrough product innovation programmes that drive sustainable business growth, consumer engagement and competitive advantage. You’ll work across multiple regions and functions, leading a team of technical experts while building strong partnerships with suppliers, technology providers and external innovation partners. This is an opportunity to influence the future direction of globally recognised brands and play a key role in developing the next generation of products.
Key Responsibilities- Develop and deliver the long-term innovation strategy and technology roadmap for your product categories.
- Lead a team of scientists and engineers, developing capability and ensuring effective resource planning.
- Drive breakthrough innovation projects from early concept through to commercialisation.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, external partners, start-ups and technology providers to identify emerging opportunities.
- Work closely with Commercial, Marketing, Procurement, Supply Chain and Regional R&D teams to deliver ambitious innovation plans.
- Identify new ingredients, technologies, manufacturing processes and product formats that create competitive advantage.
- Ensure projects are delivered with robust technical governance, effective risk management and clear commercial focus.
- Monitor global consumer trends, competitor activity and emerging technologies to shape future innovation opportunities.
- Support sustainability, productivity and portfolio transformation initiatives through innovative product development.
- Manage project portfolios, budgets and resource allocation to ensure successful delivery against business objectives.
- Champion collaboration, continuous improvement and technical excellence across global cross-functional teams.
We’re looking for an experienced innovation leader who combines strong technical expertise with strategic thinking and exceptional stakeholder management skills. You will ideally have:
- Significant experience leading innovation within a branded FMCG food business.
- A strong track record of delivering breakthrough product innovation and commercial success.
- Experience developing long-term innovation or technology roadmaps.
- Proven leadership experience managing multidisciplinary R&D or innovation teams.
- Experience working across international markets and global matrix organisations.
- Strong knowledge of consumer-led innovation, product development and commercialisation.
- Experience building partnerships with suppliers, external innovation partners or technology providers.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels.
- A degree in Food Science, Food Technology, Chemistry, Engineering or a related scientific discipline (advanced qualifications desirable).
Head of Innovation in Slough employer: Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner
Join a dynamic global branded food business in Buckinghamshire as the Head of Innovation, where you will lead transformative product innovation initiatives in a collaborative and supportive environment. The company fosters a culture of continuous improvement and technical excellence, offering ample opportunities for professional growth and development while working with cutting-edge technologies and diverse teams. With a strong commitment to sustainability and consumer engagement, this role provides a unique chance to shape the future of renowned brands and make a meaningful impact in the industry.
Contact Details:
Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Innovation in Slough
✨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 Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner.
✨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 Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Innovation in Slough
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 Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner 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 Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner 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 Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner, 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 Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner 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 Protea Recruitment Ltd | Food | Drinks | FMCG Recruitment Partner, 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.
