Head of Technical Innovation

Head of Technical Innovation

Glanbia Performance Nutrition, UK

Join this dynamic team focused on delivering better nutrition for every step of life’s journey

 The Opportunity

We have an ambitious brand building agenda in GPN with Innovation and consumer centricity at the heart of the plan, enabling strong and healthy brands that are “First to mind” and “First to find”.

Reporting directly to the Senior Director – International Innovation, the Head of Technical Innovation will be instrumental in driving strategic innovation for GPN’s 7 distinct international regions (UKI, Central Europe, China, Middle East + Turkey + Africa, India, Oceania and Asia) over both the short and long term.  The focus of this role includes the initiation + strategic scoping of innovation projects, and excellence in product design for key brands like ON, Isopure and SlimFast. The role will have a significant external focus and will need to take into consideration changing technologies, consumer preferences, and competitor movements across a wide portfolio of markets to drive innovation in across the International region. 

Partnership with R&D, global teams and the Insight and analytics function will be crucial to using innovation to drive 1) Sustainable business growth 2) Brand equity and 3) Category leadership through fewer, bigger, better ideas.  This is a unique opportunity in an exciting category with a multi-market context.

• Working with APAC and EMEA central regional innovation leads on developing category leading regional product pipeline through multi-market initiatives for key GPN Brands focus on ON and Isopure (+BSN, Amazing Grass)
• Driving external relationships with new suppliers, technologies and attending the relevant external forums bringing back insights and forging relationships that allow GPN to remain at the cutting edge of performance and lifestyle nutrition
• Partnering with internal teams particularly R&D to incorporate Scientific advances into product development providing guidance on product development areas and desired outcomes with a focus on driving premium product positioning and effectiveness.
• For upstream 3–5-year innovation, partnering with Insights function and advising R&D + global innovation on latest thinking relating to strategic digsites and long-term strategic focus areas
• For the 24-month out product innovation, partnering closely with R&D, I&A to enable technical scoping of innovation projects including feasibility analysis and input into consumer concepts
• For brand content, for 6-12 month out innovation, partner with central International Brand teams, local country marketing teams and agencies on technical information bringing innovation content to life
• Driving external focus and impact of the innovation function to enable an innovation driven culture throughout the organisation

The skills you will bring to the team

Experience

• 10+ years' experience in innovation leadership roles, preferably within FMCG/ consumer goods and specialisation in Sports Nutrition.
• Experience across multiple international geographies required ideally in both EMEA and Asia, covering key priority GPN markets.
• Expert-level experience in products design in performance and lifestyle nutrition.
• 10+ years’ experience of managing external parties and an existing network of partners (technical and coman) across the International Region.
• Passion for the category and GPN brands, understanding of sports & lifestyle nutrition and a strong passion for sport and healthy lifestyle.
• Highly articulate with strong communication skills. Ability to flex style of communication based on audience and the circumstances
• Able to build relationships and influence stakeholders at a senior level, and across a variety of functions and cultures.
• An optimistic and resilient team player, confident to voice opinions & challenge mindsets, always leading with consumer insights and passionate to foster this culture across an organisation.
• Able to connect the dots across markets and functions to spot synergies and best practices that can be rolled out.
• A resilient team player, confident to voice opinions & challenge mindsets driving a culture of transparency, accountability and positivity across the international marketing function
• Entrepreneurial - solves difficult problems with creative solutions, can anticipate hidden/future issues and develop contingency plans.

Alongside the above, having a passion for sports, fitness, health, nutrition and culture is a must!

Why this is a great role!

• The world’s No1 sports nutrition company
• Great future career growth potential, both locally and internationally - Glanbia has business units in 32 countries with over 6000 employees globally
• Our Smart Working model advocates wellbeing by providing you with a greater choice in how you work and live, giving you a better work-life balance
• Booming category rooted in a macro trend
• Opportunity to make a difference, to challenge thinking and make a real impact with a business that is open to change.
• A supportive and collaborative team environment
• Competitive salary and benefits package

Where and how you will work  

The opportunity will be based in our office based in Vauxhall, London with a requirement to work in the office a minimum of 1 day per week with flexibility to be available to come onsite 3-4 days per week when required. 

What we would like to offer you!  

The opportunity to develop your career on a global stage, continuous learning through an on-demand learning platform, and a competitive compensation package.

About Glanbia  

The Glanbia Group comprises three divisions: Glanbia Performance Nutrition,  Glanbia Nutritional's, and Joint Ventures. Collectively and with our partners we offer an incredible breadth of expertise in nutrition. We employ a team of 6,000 people, work with global food and beverage companies, and sell our award-winning and market-leading products in 130 countries worldwide.    

At Glanbia, we celebrate diversity, because we know that our individual strengths make us stronger together. We welcome and encourage interest from a variety of candidates, we will give your application consideration, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.

At Glanbia, our culture celebrates individuality, knowing that together we are more.