Job Title: Head of Innovation Design Lab
Location: UK Wide
Reference: J79149
Contact: Telephone: 0141 647 6688
Job Description:
Our client is currently experiencing a significant period of growth. They are expanding their product offerings and are seeking a visionary leader to head their new Innovation Design Lab. This is an exceptional opportunity to build a new innovation capability from scratch that will influence the future of food packaging and position the company as a leader in innovation.
In this role, you will be responsible for establishing all aspects of the Innovation Design Lab. You should be recognized as an industry leader in packaging innovation, with expertise in leveraging design thinking and innovative approaches to develop consumer-relevant packaging solutions based on market insights and supported by science and technology. You must be commercially savvy and an effective communicator to ensure the Lab's activities support the company's growth and position it as an innovation catalyst.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Create a pipeline of innovation projects supporting long-term goals.
2. Manage projects from inception to completion, engaging stakeholders for success.
3. Champion insight-led innovation by collaborating with market intelligence and consumer insights teams.
4. Partner with R&D, innovation, and technology teams to develop holistic packaging solutions.
5. Connect technology scouting activities to innovation challenges to inspire solutions.
6. Work with sales teams to commercialize innovations and position the company as an industry leader.
7. Apply design thinking and agile methods for rapid challenge framing, insight gathering, and prototyping.
8. Develop internal capabilities for small-volume prototyping and testing.
9. Manage external design agency networks for design, prototyping, and research activities.
10. Translate and scale projects into viable business opportunities.
Qualifications and Success Factors:
* 15+ years of experience in the packaging industry or FMCG R&D as an innovation leader.
* Expertise in innovation and portfolio management.
* Extensive experience in design strategy, management, and thinking activities.
* Inspirational leadership with experience in capability development and team startups.
* Strong customer focus and results-driven approach to ensure commercial viability.
* Exceptional communication skills to inspire stakeholders about the future of packaging.
* Ability to collaborate across functions and lead teams without direct authority.
* Entrepreneurial spirit and proactive mindset.
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