Permanent Based in St Albans/Hybrid WFH Premier Foods is on an exciting journey transitioning from turning the business around, to becoming an ‘outperformance business’, by further accelerated growth that’s well ahead of the UK market norms. Innovation is at the heart of our strategic building blocks and the number one driver for long term sustainable growth. With considerable focus, support and resource, there are multiple strategic innovation elements to this: Continued healthy growth of our core UK business driven by Fewer, Bigger, Better Innovation and increased brand marketing investment Expand our innovation strategy into: New Whitespace Categories within the UK e.g. Ice-creams and Breakfast New Markets e.g. Complete Nutrition DTC Accelerate our International growth by driving the existing international markets, and expanding into new ones Selective M&A that will complement our growth Supported by an inclusive and diverse organisation with winning mindset and a future focused ESG agenda This Central Innovation Lead is a high profile, pivotal role focusing on Whitespace Expansion to deliver continued outperformance. The mission is to discover and deliver game-changing ideas to enhance the quality and value of the Innovation pipeline, at an accelerator pace. The position offers a high level of autonomy, and an opportunity to shape the Innovation strategy, and will have frequent interactions the CMO. What you'll be doing: IMPACT & INFLUENCE THE INNOVATION PIPELINE - turbo charge through Whitespace ideas by: Expanding our heritage brands into new categories Identifying opportunities in incremental categories, subsectors, channels and markets (could include creation of new brands and leveraging existing brands) Identify future pipeline strategy that complements the core portfolio – we have started this journey and have some proven success e.g. Ambrosia Ready to Eat Porridge Identify opportunities with meaningful scale potential: this could include big categories open for disruption - creating competition forcing traditional competitors to up their game; high growth categories we don’t have presence; stretch areas our brands have a right to play; new technologies LEAD AND LAND YOUR WHITESPACE IDEAS: End-to-end accountability from concept to launch in market of specific bets outside of core category pipelines Take full ownership of the launch outcome: seek to understand key performance drivers and barriers Be comfortable to work independently from core teams and process where required Seek out RTM solutions: including internal capabilities and 3PM opportunities – leveraging contact and relationships Apply a ‘test & learn’ model: be inquisitive and applying learnings throughout; be unphased by ambiguity; prepared to take calculated risks DELIVER WITH AGILITY AND PACE: Rapid Innovation model landing ideas in market within 3-12 months Propose and lead effective WOW: to cut through at pace and deliver with credibility Use a ‘fail fast and pivot quickly’ mentality to navigate best delivery solutions What we need from you? Marketing led food innovation experience Bring positive disruption by challenging the status quo: comfortable to break free from the establish norms Results driven: relentlessly tenacious, a can do attitude to seek solutions, with the end in mind. Harness big data to identify scalable opportunities, understand performance, and influence senior stakeholders. Form strong proposals with long term commercial viability. High accountability and comfortable with autonomy: with a drive to deliver credibly at pace Drive a self-sufficient task force team culture Action orientated: ability to cut through to enable delivery Responsibly daring: unafraid to take calculated risks and onboard key stakeholders What we offer you in return? Competitive salary Car Allowance Bonus Up to 7.5% pension Life assurance Wide range of online and in-house training Access to an employee discount scheme, with access to hundreds of nationwide retailers Ready to apply? Click apply, submitting an up-to-date CV tailored to this opportunity. We look forward to hearing from you A Great British Food Company Premier Foods is one of Britain’s biggest listed food companies, employing over 4,000 colleagues at 13 manufacturing sites and offices up and down the country. Many of our brands have been part of UK life for more than a century and you’ll find them in 90% of British households. At Premier foods we believe in inclusion, authenticity and individuality. We aim to ensure all existing and future colleagues are given equitable opportunities and are respected, valued and encouraged to bring their true authentic selves to work no matter who they are, what they look like, who they love or what they believe in. Our culture is one where everyone is welcome.