At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive consumer-led innovation and manage projects to launch exciting new products.
- Company: Join Weetabix, a diverse and inclusive FMCG leader committed to innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible work, annual leave, and health perks.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal growth and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by turning insights into successful products that consumers love.
- Qualifications: Experience in innovation or product development within fast-moving consumer goods.
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're 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’ll 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. 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 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.
- Work with the Project Management Office (PMO) to track progress, manage risks and provide clear reporting.
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.
We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your wellbeing, career, and life outside work:
- 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
- Continued investment in your personal development
- As well as your holiday entitlement, you can purchase up to 5 days of additional annual leave
- The freedom of Flexible Work Opportunities
- Enhanced Maternity / Paternity / Adoption Leave
- Fully stocked kitchens filled with our delicious products for you to enjoy
Innovation Manager -FMCG (NPD) in Northampton 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.
