At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative projects from concept to launch, ensuring timely delivery and high performance.
- Company: Join British American Tobacco, a global leader in innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive bonuses, flexible holidays, and a focus on work-life balance.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a smokeless world while advancing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and cross-functional leadership is essential.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
BAT is evolving at pace into a global multi‑category business. Our purpose is to create A Better Tomorrow™ by Building a Smokeless World. To achieve our ambition, we are looking for colleagues who are ready to join us on this journey! Tomorrow can’t wait, let’s shape it together.
British American Tobacco UK has an exciting opportunity for an Innovation Project Manager in London.
What are the key objectives and expectations from this role?
- Project Delivery: Deliver projects on time and in full against agreed milestones and objectives.
- Speed to Market: Reduce time from project initiation to successful product or solution launch.
- Innovation Performance: Ensure new launches meet or exceed expected commercial and business performance.
- Post‑Launch Support: Quickly resolve issues after launch and ensure smooth transition to steady operations, with strong customer satisfaction.
- Project Management Excellence: Apply best‑practice project management methodologies, tools, and ways of working.
- Process & Governance Compliance: Ensure full adherence to established processes, standards, and governance frameworks.
- Systems & Data Management: Effectively use project and portfolio management systems, maintaining high‑quality and accurate data.
- Budget Management: Deliver projects within approved budgets, minimizing cost variances.
- Financial Forecasting: Accurately forecast project and portfolio spend and manage financial performance.
- Return on Investment: Deliver strong returns on innovation and track performance after launch.
- Risk & Cost Control: Proactively identify and manage financial risks, including potential write‑offs.
- Business Case Quality: Develop and maintain clear, complete, and robust cases for all projects.
- Partner Collaboration: Work effectively with cross‑functional teams, ensuring alignment and strong communication throughout the project lifecycle.
- Continuous Improvement: Drive ongoing improvements to processes, tools, and ways of working, including digital solutions.
The Innovation Project Manager leads the development and execution of breakthrough, strategic, and tactical innovation projects within their Category globally. This individual manages a cross‑functional project team to take the innovation from BFI (SG3) through to first market launch and post‑launch Hypercare. The role ensures timely and efficient delivery of new innovation development in line with category master plan, driving cross‑functional alignment, operational and market readiness.
Your key responsibilities will include:
- Lead and deliver innovation projects (breakthrough, strategic, tactical) in line with timing, cost, volume, and quality targets.
- Drive cross‑functional alignment and collaborator engagement to deliver a 360‑degree mix of innovation considering product and brand campaign elements.
- Ensure effective communication and alignment across global, regional, and local functions.
- Lead and coordinate hyper‑care activities post‑launch, ensuring rapid issue resolution, stabilization of product performance, and effective feedback loops with commercial, supply chain, and quality teams.
- Act as an escalation point for issue resolution, and risk management.
- Ensure robust argument for the innovation project, including accurate financial data and Return of Investment projections for decision‑making.
- Supervise and report on key performance metrics (e.g., OTIF, time‑to‑market, budget adherence) and raise issues or decisions to governance forums as required.
- Ensure robust governance compliance, and data integrity in line with PLM guidelines, as well as driving cross‑functional engagement to optimise utilisation of PLM systems, tools, and workflows.
SUPER USER RESPONSIBILITIES
- Champion System Adoption: Actively promote Planisware/Hive standards, new features, and process improvements to drive user engagement and system utilisation across the organisation.
- User Support & Enablement: Serve as the first point of contact for user queries, providing timely support, troubleshooting, and guidance.
- Change Management: Lead local implementation of system enhancements, including User Acceptance Testing (UAT), regression testing, and communication of changes. Assess and manage the impact of changes on users and processes.
- Continuous Improvement: Gather user feedback, identify knowledge gaps, and organise refresher sessions or knowledge‑sharing forums. Capture and champion ideas for system and process optimisation.
- Process & System Optimisation: Find opportunities for improving workflows and data quality. Support the submission and governance of change requests.
- Standard Process Sharing: Take part in Communities of Practice to share lessons learned and standard processes. This supports a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
What are we looking for?
- Extensive cross‑functional leadership experience in FMCG, technology, or forward‑thinking sectors, with a proven track record of managing end‑to‑end innovation projects and leading diverse teams.
- Strong collaboration experience across Marketing, R&D, Operations, and Digital/Data functions.
- Experience with PLM systems, digital transformation initiatives, and data analytics.
- Strong project management expertise combined with effective collaborator engagement, communication, and influence skills.
- Technical knowledge of product lifecycle management platforms and programme management methodologies.
- Confirmed ability to facilitate meetings, set agendas, and drive actionable outcomes in cross‑functional settings.
- Solid financial acumen, including project budgeting, forecasting, and ROI analysis.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience, with project management certification highly desirable.
Beneficial
- Experience in Innovation Management [Upstream/Downstream]
- Experience in digital transformation or PLM systems implementation
- Strong Commercial Competence
What we offer you?
We offer a market‑leading annual performance bonus (subject to eligibility). Our range of benefits varies by country and includes diverse health plans, initiatives for work‑life balance, transportation support, and a flexible holiday plan with additional incentives. Your journey with us isn’t limited by boundaries; it’s propelled by your aspirations. Join us at BAT and become part of an environment that thrives on internal advancement, where your career progression isn’t just a statement – it’s a reality we’re eager to build together. Seize the opportunity and own your development; your next chapter starts here. You’ll have access to online learning platforms and personalised growth programmes to nurture your leadership skills. We prioritise continuous improvement within a transformative environment, preparing for ongoing changes.
WHY JOIN BAT?
We’re one of the few companies named as a Global Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute – certified in offering excellent employee conditions. Collaboration, inclusion and partnership underpin everything we do here at BAT. We are looking forward to enabling every individual to thrive, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, age, skills, experience, education, socio‑economic and professional background, veteran status, perspectives and thinking styles. We know that embracing talent from all backgrounds is what makes us stronger and best prepared to meet our business goals. We see the career breaks as opportunities not obstacles. Through The Global Returners program, we support professionals looking to restart their careers after an extended absence from the workforce (e.g. time out caring for family, parental leave, national service, sabbatical and/or starting an own venture). Come bring your difference and see what is possible for you at BAT. Learn more about our culture and our award‑winning employee experience here. If you require any reasonable adjustments or accommodations to help you perform at your best during the recruitment process, you are encouraged to notify us. We are fully committed to support you by making appropriate arrangements for you to demonstrate your full potential.
Innovation Project Manager employer: The British American Tobacco Group
British American Tobacco UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide access to personalised development programmes and online learning platforms, ensuring that your career progression is not just a goal but a reality. Our inclusive culture, recognised as a Global Top Employer, prioritises diversity and supports individuals from all backgrounds, making it a truly rewarding place to work.
Contact Details:
The British American Tobacco Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Project Manager
✨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 The British American Tobacco Group.
✨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 The British American Tobacco Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Project Manager
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 The British American Tobacco Group 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 The British American Tobacco Group 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 The British American Tobacco Group
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at The British American Tobacco Group, 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 The British American Tobacco Group 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 The British American Tobacco Group, 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.
