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, private healthcare, 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 – and we’re only just getting started. 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 a strange amount of 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 relentlessly 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 confidently 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. Help unblock technical or operational challenges quickly and pragmatically.
- Cross‑functional leadership: Act as the day‑to‑day project lead across Product, Supply Chain, Ops, Marketing, Brand and Creative. Make sure 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 people rely on. 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 and joined‑up project tracking systems (linked spreadsheets, databases and dashboards) that give real‑time visibility of launch timelines, risks and dependencies. Be able to develop understanding of how tools need to interact with tools used across other areas of the business to ensure handoff efficiencies. Proactively 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 by considering that any task repeated more than once is automated.
- 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. Coordinate with wider business on new launches to ensure that all teams are aware of key NPD information to support in marketing etc.
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, product development or fast‑paced delivery environments.
- Comfortable operating in the detail of product development (formulations, packaging, testing, approvals etc.).
- Strong stakeholder management skills – able to influence, challenge and hold people accountable.
- Highly proactive, autonomous and able to operate in ambiguity without hand‑holding.
- Commercial awareness and understanding of how products move from concept to market success.
- Experience building and managing project tracking systems, dashboards or structured reporting tools.
- Strong spreadsheet/data skills and comfort working with structured operational data.
- Experience improving processes and removing friction from how teams work.
- Comfortable using automation and AI tools to improve speed, quality and efficiency of work.
Desirable:
- Experience in FMCG, consumer goods, beauty, food, beverage or similar fast‑paced environments.
- Familiarity with manufacturing, supply chain and packaging production processes.
- Comfortable using AI tools day‑to‑day to accelerate analysis, communication and execution.
What you’ll get from us:
- 25 days holidays + bank holidays + 9 extra remote working days.
- Hybrid working, 3 days a week in our shiny new 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 recognise that diversity goes beyond visible differences such as race, gender, age, and ethnicity, and encompasses a broad spectrum of backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and abilities. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply. If we can make any adjustments to help you to perform your best in the process, please let us know.
Please note, we are not currently partnering with external recruiters for this role. If you're interested in joining our team, please apply below!
Innovation Project Lead (12 month FTC) employer: Wild
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 and development in a fast-paced environment. With generous benefits including hybrid working, enhanced parental leave, and a commitment to diversity, joining our team means being part of a mission-driven company that values your contributions and supports your career journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Project Lead (12 month FTC)
✨Tap into Startup Networks
Startup scenes thrive on connections, so dive into local entrepreneurial meetups and co-working spaces. Attend pitch nights to not just listen, but engage with potential employers and other like-minded individuals who could lead you to your next temporary gig.
✨Leverage Online Startups Communities
Join online communities like Indie Hackers, Product Hunt, or startup-specific forums. Share your skills and aspirations, and you might just catch the eye of someone looking for temporary help or a fresh perspective on their project.
✨Show Off Your Flexibility
Startups often need people who can jump in and adapt quickly. When chatting with founders or hiring managers, highlight your ability to pick things up fast and tackle diverse challenges. Remind them that at a startup, every day’s a new adventure!
✨Apply through Our Website for the Best Chances
Psst! If you spot a temporary role with us at Wild, make sure to apply directly through our website. It shows you're serious and might just put you ahead of the pack. Plus, we'll get your application faster than those sneaky email submissions!
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Project Lead (12 month FTC)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your entrepreneurial spirit:When applying for a role in startups and entrepreneurship, let your passion shine through! Share any personal projects or ventures you’ve undertaken. This shows us that you’re proactive and have a flair for innovation, which is super important in this space.
Highlight your adaptability:Startups are all about wearing many hats. Make sure your CV showcases your adaptability and range of skills. Highlight experiences where you've had to pivot quickly or tackle unexpected challenges. This tells us you’re ready for the dynamic nature of a temporary role with Wild.
Keep it concise and impactful:For temporary positions, brevity is key! We don’t need a novel — a sharp, impactful CV and cover letter that hit the highlights will do nicely. Focus on the most relevant experiences that align with what Wild is looking for.
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for learning:We're always looking for passionate individuals who are eager to learn and grow. In your cover letter, talk about what excites you about working at Wild and how you hope to gain experience from this temporary role. It’ll help us see your commitment and potential!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wild
✨Show Your Hustle
In the world of startups, passion and initiative go a long way. We need to demonstrate our hustle by showcasing previous projects or experiences where we've taken the lead or solved problems creatively. Share specific examples that highlight your adaptability and willingness to jump into new challenges, as these are crucial in a rapidly changing environment.
✨Know Your Numbers
Startups often care about viability and financials. Brush up on your understanding of key metrics relevant to the business model and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in your past roles. If you can discuss things like customer acquisition costs or lifetime value, it’ll show you’ve got a grip on the numbers that matter!
✨Flexibility is Key
Given this is a temporary role, let’s bring up how we thrive in dynamic situations. Be prepared to answer questions about how you can pivot quickly in your work and how you stay productive amidst uncertainty. Sharing stories from past experiences in rapidly changing environments can really make you stand out as a candidate.
✨Pitch Your Unique Value
In a startup, every team member's contribution counts! This is our chance to pitch not just our qualifications, but our unique perspective. Think about what makes you different from other candidates and how your skills can help the company grow in the short term. Have a few concrete examples ready that align with Wild’s current challenges or goals.
