The Head of Research & Innovation leads the organization’s product innovation and consumer insight agenda, translating emerging trends into commercially viable concepts. This role is responsible for end-to-end innovation pipeline management, from strategy and idea generation to execution and post-launch evaluation. A core accountability is to ensure the innovation dashboard and stage-gate process are rigorously maintained, providing executive visibility and enabling strategic decision-making.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead the full innovation lifecycle—from opportunity identification and ideation to launch and post-launch evaluation.
- Manage the innovation portfolio and stage-gate process, ensuring alignment with commercial strategy and timely execution.
- Maintain real-time visibility through dashboards and trackers covering status, resources, timelines, and KPIs.
- Partner cross-functionally to align on priorities, feasibility, and go-to-market plans.
- Commission and apply consumer, category, and market research to guide innovation and support brand and portfolio decisions.
- Monitor brand health and market trends to shape both pipeline development and ongoing brand strategy.
- Drive prioritization and scenario planning across short-, mid-, and long-term innovation streams.
- Lead post-launch reviews to capture learnings and optimize future initiatives.
- Represent Innovation in strategic forums (S&OP, brand planning, portfolio reviews).
- Coach and develop team members to foster a culture of innovation, discipline, and continuous improvement.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Food Science, or a related field is required
- Master’s degree in Innovation, Consumer Research, Business Strategy, or a related field is an asset
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience in innovation, product development, or consumer insights within FMCG or a similar industry
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional innovation projects and managing a structured stage-gate or pipeline process
- Familiarity with research methodologies (qualitative and quantitative) and tools for brand health tracking and market analysis
- Strong analytical skills with experience using innovation dashboards, KPIs, and reporting platforms (e.g., Excel, Power BI, or similar)
Abilities; Skills; Experience; Aptitude and Judgement:
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional innovation projects from ideation through launch
- Skilled in building and managing structured innovation pipelines and scorecards
- Strong analytical thinker with experience translating insights into growth strategies
- Able to influence and engage senior stakeholders across multiple department
Other Personal or General Characteristics:
- Visionary with a strong sense of purpose and direction
- Committed to fostering a culture of innovation and curiosity
- Calm under pressure and confident navigating ambiguity
- Passionate about delivering meaningful, consumer-centric innovation
- Thrives when working under pressure
Benefits
- Health Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Pension
- Lunch Subsidy
- Others
