At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative projects and drive sustainable growth across global markets.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at Suntory, committed to innovation and inclusivity.
- Benefits: Strategic leadership role with significant impact and exposure to senior stakeholders.
- Other info: Embrace a collaborative environment where new ideas are encouraged.
- Why this job: Shape the future of innovation and develop high-performing multicultural teams.
- Qualifications: Strong expertise in marketing, innovation, and brand strategy required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
You are a strategic and commercially minded innovation leader who thrives in complexity and ambiguity. You enjoy shaping new growth opportunities and turning ideas into scalable business results across global markets.
You bring:
- Strong commercial and financial acumen, with the ability to build and evaluate business cases
- Deep experience in brand strategy, innovation and new product development (NPD)
- The ability to lead complex, cross-market projects and influence multiple stakeholders
- Strong collaboration, communication and decision-making skills
- Confidence navigating ambiguity, overcoming resistance and resolving conflict
- A proactive mindset, curiosity and a drive to continuously learn and improve
- The ability to energise and develop teams in multicultural environments
You are comfortable operating at a senior leadership level, building alignment across regions, functions and cultures, and creating clarity where there is uncertainty.
You will lead the development of new value creation opportunities, driving sustainable growth across global markets. Your focus will be to:
- Define where to play and how to win, using insights to shape innovation strategy
- Build and deliver an actionable innovation pipeline across markets
- Lead inorganic growth initiatives across existing and emerging categories (e.g. ARTD, mood-shift, functional and hydration)
- Develop and scale incubation brands and new categories globally
- Partner closely with global and regional stakeholders to align priorities and deliver results
- Lead new product development (NPD) strategy and execution across markets
- Resolve challenges and ensure effective execution of complex, multi-market initiatives
- Build strong collaboration across regions, business units and functions
You will play a critical role in strengthening the organisation’s competitive position through scalable innovation and disciplined execution.
What's in it for you:
- A highly strategic, global leadership role with significant impact on future growth
- The opportunity to shape innovation strategy across multiple markets and categories
- Exposure to senior stakeholders across global headquarters and regional teams
- The chance to work on cutting-edge innovation areas and emerging consumer trends
- A platform to build and develop high-performing, multicultural teams
- A dynamic and collaborative environment where new ideas are encouraged and supported
What You need to be successful:
- Strong expertise in marketing, innovation and brand strategy at both local and international level
- Proven ability to develop and execute new product development strategies
- Strong business and financial planning capability
- Experience managing complex projects across multiple stakeholders and markets
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills
- Ability to work effectively across diverse, multicultural environments
- Strong problem-solving skills and sound judgement
- High levels of resilience, adaptability and flexibility
- A collaborative and team-oriented mindset with the ability to develop others
At Suntory, we recognise that diverse knowledge, perspectives, and backgrounds contribute to our collective success. We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals can bring their whole selves to work every day, regardless of race, colour, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, neurodiversity, or differing abilities, age, or any other protected characteristic.
Our recruitment and selection processes are designed to highlight what Suntory offers as an employer while allowing candidates to share their unique skills and experiences. We understand that career trajectories vary, and if you believe your experience/background can benefit our team, we encourage you to apply. We endeavour to make our interview process as inclusive as possible and offer reasonable accommodations as needed. Together, we can cultivate a workplace where everyone can thrive and propel our mission of Growing for Good.
Head of New Value Creation employer: Suntory Holdings Limited
Suntory is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration, offering a dynamic environment where strategic leaders can thrive. With a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, employees are empowered to bring their authentic selves to work while driving impactful growth across global markets. The company provides ample opportunities for professional development and the chance to lead cutting-edge initiatives, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of New Value Creation
✨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 Suntory Holdings Limited.
✨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 Suntory Holdings Limited.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of New Value Creation
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 Suntory Holdings Limited 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 Suntory Holdings Limited 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 Suntory Holdings Limited
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at Suntory Holdings Limited, 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 Suntory Holdings Limited 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 Suntory Holdings Limited, 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.
