At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovation projects and drive cross-functional collaboration to support business growth.
- Company: Join Weetabix, a company committed to diversity and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work, annual bonus, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Enjoy a fully stocked kitchen and a supportive workplace culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment focused on innovation and growth.
- Qualifications: Experience in innovation or project management within FMCG and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
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.
Closing date: 28th July 2026
Interview process: Two Stage Interview Process
Working pattern: You will typically spend three days a week in the office, providing regular opportunities to collaborate, build strong team connections, and develop effective working relationships in person. We are happy to make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process; just let us know how we can support you.
Weetabix is on an exciting growth journey, and many of the opportunities we are recruiting for are newly created roles. 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 Programme & Portfolio Manager, you will lead the delivery of our innovation pipeline, ensuring projects are effectively prioritised, governed, and executed to support business growth. You will oversee portfolio planning, drive cross-functional collaboration, and use digital tools and data-driven insights to accelerate innovation, strengthen brand performance, and deliver commercially successful outcomes.
- Lead innovation and renovation projects, ensuring effective planning, governance, and delivery.
- Continuously improve stage gate processes to support clear decision-making and cross-functional collaboration.
- Prioritise resources across innovation and NPD activities to deliver strategic objectives.
- Partner with the PMO to provide programme visibility, reporting, and governance compliance.
- Optimise portfolio performance through SKU management and rationalisation initiatives.
- Balance consumer, brand, and operational priorities to support sustainable growth.
- Align innovation plans with Integrated Business Planning (IBP) requirements.
- Improve processes and ways of working to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
- Drive adoption of digital tools, including PLM systems, to support innovation delivery.
- Maintain accurate product, technical, and artwork data to support business operations.
- Act as Business Process Manager for Product Information Management (PIM) within D365.
- Use data and insight to identify risks, resolve challenges, and inform recommendations.
- Ensure initiatives are commercially, operationally, and strategically aligned.
- Apply consumer and market insights to support innovation and portfolio decisions.
- Drive continuous improvement to accelerate delivery while maintaining quality and compliance.
- Champion digital tools, automation, and collaborative ways of working.
The Ingredients (What we need from you)
- Proven experience in innovation, project, or portfolio management within fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) or consumer goods.
- Knowledge of end-to-end innovation processes, including Stage-Gate governance.
- Organised with the ability to manage multiple projects.
- Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret portfolio and performance data.
- Effective stakeholder management with the ability to influence senior leadership.
- Commercial awareness, including understanding of product lifecycle economics.
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
To support our employees, we also offer:
- Continued investment in your personal development
- Balance, whether it's for family, rest, or simply time for you. As well as your holiday entitlement, you can purchase up to 5 days of additional annual leave
- 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
Please note: We benchmark roles based on your skills and experience, so we do not advertise fixed salary ranges. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide sponsorship for this position; therefore, we are seeking candidates who do not require sponsorship. We utilise our Preferred Agency Supplier Partners as and when we require additional support.
Innovation Programme & Portfolio Manager employer: WEETABIX LIMITED
Weetabix Limited is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Burton Latimer that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company provides extensive training opportunities and a comprehensive benefits package, including annual bonuses and flexible working policies, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the FMCG sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Programme & Portfolio 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 WEETABIX 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 WEETABIX LIMITED.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Programme & Portfolio 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 WEETABIX 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 WEETABIX 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 WEETABIX LIMITED
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at WEETABIX 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 WEETABIX 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 WEETABIX 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.
