At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative projects from concept to launch, ensuring smooth delivery across teams.
- Company: Join Wild, a fast-growing start-up on a mission to eliminate single-use plastics.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, hybrid working, and free breakfast!
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in sustainability while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Strong project management experience and a passion for product development.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
About Us: Hi there! We’re Wild. We’re on a mission to remove single-use plastic from the bathroom, armed with our refillable, natural and scent-sational deodorants, body wash, and lip balm. We launched in 2020 and as a high-growth company we’re already one of Europe’s fastest growing start-ups.
The Role: We’re looking for a highly organised, delivery-obsessed Innovation Project Lead to join our Product team and own the end-to-end delivery of our NPD pipeline. This is a hands-on, execution-heavy role sitting at the heart of how we bring new products to life. You’ll be the connective tissue between Product, Supply Chain, Operations, Commercial, Marketing and Creative.
You’ll need to be comfortable deep in the detail of product development (formulations, packaging, testing, approvals) while also keeping multiple complex projects moving at pace across the business. If you love building order out of chaos, obsess over timelines and dependencies, and get satisfaction from a perfectly run launch plan, you’ll feel right at home here. This is a mid-senior level role that reports into our Head of NPD. Please note, this is a maternity cover role on a 12 month fixed term contract.
Some of your responsibilities:
- End-to-end NPD delivery: Own the delivery of multiple NPD projects from concept through to launch across our innovation pipeline. Build, maintain and manage detailed project plans, critical paths and timelines. Keep multiple workstreams moving in parallel without losing sight of detail or deadlines. Proactively identify risks, dependencies and bottlenecks before they become problems. Drive accountability across teams and escalate when timelines are at risk. Balance product performance, operational feasibility and commercial requirements in real time. Coordinate product testing, trials, validation and sign-off processes across multiple stakeholders.
- Cross-functional leadership: Act as the day-to-day project lead across Product, Supply Chain, Ops, Marketing, Brand and Creative. Ensure everyone knows what’s happening, what they own, and when it’s due. Drive alignment and fast decision-making across multiple workstreams. Build strong relationships across the business and become a trusted operator. Keep momentum high - even when things get messy. Line manage other members of the team and support in removing any blocks.
- Systems, tooling & automation: Build and maintain sophisticated project tracking systems that give real-time visibility of launch timelines, risks and dependencies. Develop understanding of how tools need to interact with tools used across other areas of the business. Identify manual, clunky or inefficient workflows and redesign them using automation. Use AI tools to accelerate delivery, surface risks earlier, and improve the speed and quality of cross-functional communication.
- Visibility & communication: Produce clear, simple and regular launch status updates for senior stakeholders. Translate complex, multi-workstream plans into straightforward visibility on progress, risks and decisions needed. Be the person who brings clarity when things feel complex or moving fast.
- Commercial & launch readiness: Ensure every product is ready to launch into market on time. Work with DTC & Retail teams to understand customer requirements and launch priorities. Coordinate all launch readiness activities (samples, specs, packaging, operational readiness, pricing inputs etc.). Ensure products are delivered in a way that supports commercial success and sales performance.
What we need from you:
- Essential: Strong project management experience delivering complex, cross-functional projects. Exceptional organisation and a genuine obsession with getting things done properly and on time. Experience working within NPD ideally within a personal care environment. Comfortable operating in the detail of product development. Strong stakeholder management skills. Highly proactive, autonomous and able to operate in ambiguity. Commercial awareness and understanding of how products move from concept to market success. Experience building and managing project tracking systems. Strong spreadsheet/data skills. Experience improving processes and removing friction from how teams work. Comfortable using automation and AI tools.
- Desirable: Experience in FMCG, consumer goods, beauty, food, beverage or similar fast-paced environments. Familiarity with manufacturing, supply chain and packaging production processes.
What you’ll get from us: 25 days holidays + bank holidays + 9 extra remote working days. Hybrid working, 3 days a week in our London office. Enhanced maternity, paternity & parental leave. 4% Company Pension. Mental well-being support through Spill. Private healthcare through Vitality. Weekly early finishes and social events. Annual L&D budget. Free breakfast. Free & discounted Wild products. 2 x team volunteering days and 2 x personal volunteering days.
Ready to become a Wild thing?! At Wild, we know that diversity drives innovation and creativity. We are committed to creating and maintaining a workplace where all employees feel valued and empowered to bring their most authentic selves to work. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.
Innovation Project Lead (12 month FTC) in London employer: Wild Cosmetics
At Wild, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and innovative employer dedicated to sustainability and employee well-being. Our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and creativity, offering ample opportunities for professional growth while working in our modern London office. With generous benefits including hybrid working, enhanced parental leave, and a commitment to diversity, we ensure that every team member feels valued and empowered to contribute to our mission of eliminating single-use plastics from the bathroom.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Project Lead (12 month FTC) in London
✨Dive into Innovation Events
Get yourself noticed by attending innovation and R&D conferences in your area, like the local hackathons or industry networking events. These are great opportunities to connect with key players in the field and potentially uncover temporary roles at companies like Wild Cosmetics.
✨Leverage Online Communities
Join online platforms like LinkedIn Groups or Slack channels focused on R&D and innovation. Engage in discussions, share your insights, and make your name known—this visibility could lead to temporary gigs or even recommendations from industry peers.
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio
Create a digital portfolio that highlights your previous projects in R&D and innovation management. Include case studies or any innovative solutions you’ve developed—this will not only impress recruiters but make you stand out for temporary roles like the one at Wild Cosmetics.
✨Explore Flexible Opportunities on Our Platform
Make sure to check out temporary positions posted directly on our website. We often have fresh opportunities, so applying through us can give you an edge in landing roles that fit your skills in innovation and R&D management.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Project Lead (12 month FTC) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Creative Side:In the world of innovation and R&D management, we want to see your creative thinking skills shining through! Make sure to include examples of how you've successfully led or contributed to innovative projects in your CV. Highlight any initiatives where your ideas helped bring a product to market or improved a process.
Flexibility is Key:Since this is a temporary role, emphasise your adaptability in your application. Mention situations where you've had to quickly pivot or learn new skills to tackle a problem. This shows we can rely on you to hit the ground running and contribute right away.
Be Specific About Your Impact:Use quantifiable achievements to outline the impact of your work in previous roles. Talk about specific projects you've worked on in R&D, detailing how your management improved outcomes, timeframes, or innovation metrics. Numbers speak volumes and help us understand your contributions better!
Tailor Your Application for Us:When applying, make sure to tailor your CV and cover letter specifically for Wild Cosmetics. Research what ongoing projects or innovations they are working on and align your skills and experiences with those areas. It shows your interest in the company and the role, and makes your application pop!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wild Cosmetics
✨Show Your Creative Process
For a temporary role in innovation R&D management, it's crucial to demonstrate how you approach problem-solving and creativity. Be ready to share specific projects or ideas where you've turned a concept into a tangible solution. Think about what tools or methodologies you've used—like design thinking or Agile practices—and be prepared to discuss them!
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Innovation roles often involve the use of specific software or tools for project management and development. Make sure you're familiar with industry-standard programmes, whether that’s project management tools like Trello or Asana, or prototyping software. Brush up on these tools so you can confidently discuss how they enhance your workflow.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Given that this is a temporary position, showcasing your ability to adapt quickly is key. Be prepared to discuss examples where you’ve had to pivot or alter your approach on short notice. Employers want to know you can hit the ground running and adjust your strategies as needed.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect interviews in innovation roles to include scenario-based questions that assess how you’d handle real-life challenges. Think of hypothetical situations related to project delays or team conflicts and how you would address them. Having a couple of these in your back pocket can really demonstrate your critical thinking and leadership skills!
