Innovation Manager -FMCG (NPD)

At Weetabix, we believe that diverse teams drive better ideas, stronger decisions, and a more inclusive workplace for everyone. We are committed to building an organisation where people from all walks of life feel they belong, where different voices, experiences, and backgrounds are valued and respected.

You will spend three days a week in the office, creating great opportunities to collaborate, strengthen team connections and build high-impact working relationships face to face. These positions reflect our investment in people, capabilities and innovation as we continue to build for the future.

The Recipe (About the Role)

As Innovation Manager, you will identify and deliver consumer-led innovation and renovation opportunities that drive brand growth, profitability and category expansion. Working cross-functionally, you will turn insight into successful products and propositions, managing projects through to business case approval. You will also use data, emerging technologies and agile ways of working to accelerate innovation, improve success rates and build a sustainable pipeline for future growth.

• Use consumer insights, market trends, brand strategy and business needs to identify new opportunities, uncover gaps and spot emerging growth areas.
• Own idea generation sessions and translate opportunities into clear, prioritised concepts aligned to brand and business strategy.
• Build and manage a balanced innovation pipeline, ensuring strong alignment with commercial goals.
• Develop consumer-focused concepts with clear, compelling benefits and defined propositions, including format, pricing and customer opportunity.
• Test, refine and strengthen concepts using insight and cross-functional collaboration.
• Conduct early feasibility assessments to determine viability and progression.
• Create robust business cases supported by volume, sales, margin and cost assumptions.
• Develop clear project briefs for technical, packaging, supply chain, procurement and capital teams, ensuring brand requirements are accurately represented.
• Work with the Innovation Project Manager and cross-functional teams to manage governance and stage-gate processes.
• Own projects through Stage Gate Three (Business Proposal stage) with accountability for business case delivery, product and packaging readiness, and customer planning.
• Ensure products and packaging are fully ready for launch, with confirmed costs and supply plans in place.
• Partner with Brand and Commercial teams to prepare launch plans, customer materials and success measures.
• Apply post-launch insights to continuously improve future innovation projects.
• Build partnerships with brand teams throughout the project lifecycle to ensure alignment and smooth handover.
• Engage senior stakeholders at key decision points to resolve challenges and secure approvals.
• Work with the Project Management Office (PMO) to track progress, manage risks and provide clear reporting.

The Ingredients (What we need from you)

• Experience in innovation, new product development, brand, or category roles within fast-moving consumer goods or consumer goods.
• Understanding of Stage-Gate processes and cross-functional project delivery.
• Commercial awareness with the ability to build business cases and assess concept viability.
• Experience in concept development, testing, and refinement using data and insights.
• Effective stakeholder engagement and cross-functional project leadership.

Your Bowl of Perks (Benefits)

• Competitive salary & Annual Flexible benefits.
• Annual bonus.
• Double-matched pension scheme (up to 12% from us).
• 25 days annual leave increasing with service.
• Annual Salary review.
• Healthcare plan.
• Discounted Weetabix products.
• Access to 24/7 counselling service (via Grocery Aid partnership).
• The freedom of Flexible Work Opportunities.
• Enhanced Maternity / Paternity / Adoption Leave.
• Additional Time Off for Fertility Treatment and Neonatal Care.
• Working Parents Support Group.
• Fully stocked kitchens filled with our delicious products for you to enjoy.