About the role
We’re looking for an ambitious and commercially minded Innovation Manager to support the branded innovation agenda across our Dairy Consumer Foods business.
Reporting to the Senior Innovation Manager, you will help to deliver a robust pipeline of innovation for some of the UK and Europe’s most loved brands, including our iconic Strings & Things brand aligned to our Strategic Growth Pillars and key brand growth objectives
The Innovation Manager is responsible for supporting the development and driving the delivery of high quality, consumer led innovation pipelines that drives short, mid, and long term growth.
This will include taking innovation projects through the full innovation funnel, from concept stage through to launch readiness, ensuring a strong pipeline of consumer-led, commercially viable propositions.
Joining us means stepping into a fast-paced, agile and ambitious environment where ideas are welcomed, ownership is encouraged, and development is continuous.
This is a hybrid role, with 2 days per week in our Staines offices (Tuesday & Wednesday) and requires occasional travel to our partners in London and our sites across Ireland and the UK.
About Kinisla
Kinisla is a vertically integrated farm-to-fork business with a very substantial consumer foods presence and a leading nutritional and dairy ingredients division, delivering high-quality dairy solutions with a focus on sustainability and innovation. From partnering with local family farms to producing world-class dairy products, we ensure every step of our value chain reflects our commitment to excellence.
With over 50 years’ experience in milk processing, dairy and nutritional technology advancement, and product innovation, we are a key stakeholder in the global food industry and creators of a strong portfolio of market leading dairy brands including Cheestrings, Charleville and Coleraine Cheese, Dairygold, Golden Cow and our new SMUG range. Our from food, for food culture and deep-rooted connection to our 2,800 milk suppliers differentiates our business and offers captivating opportunities for our customers and consumers.
Our dairy comes from some of the world’s richest grazing land and is produced by a network of Irish family farms that have one of the lowest carbon footprints in the world. Through a combination of expertise, innovation, and sustainability, Kinisla is proud to shape the future of dairy while meeting the diverse needs of our farmers, customers, and communities.
Headquartered in Tralee, Co. Kerry, we operate multiple manufacturing facilities in the southwest of Ireland, including Listowel, Charleville, Newmarket, and Farranfore. Additionally, we manage 29 Farm & Home stores throughout the region, ensuring comprehensive coverage and service. In Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom, our presence extends to key locations in Portadown, Coleraine, and Ossett.
Globally, Kinisla employs over 1,600 dedicated professionals across Ireland, Northern Ireland, the UK, USA, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and China. In 2024, we achieved a turnover of approximately €1.3 billion, reflecting our commitment to excellence and growth.
What you’ll be doing
Consumer Led Proposition Development
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Lead the project management of specific innovation projects through the stage and gate process ensuring concepts are developed into executable, launch-ready propositions.
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Champion the consumer throughout the innovation process ensuring a consumer-centric mindset throughout.
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Foster a culture of curiosity, pace, and constructive challenge.
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Drive innovation capability, mindset, and confidence across the wider organisation.
Innovation Ownership & Governance
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Lead innovation forums ensuring gate discipline, pace, and quality of decision making.
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Ensure innovation projects progress effectively from concept to launch readiness, balancing ambition, feasibility, and commercial return.
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Actively manage the innovation pipeline to ensure short- and long-term brand and commercial needs are met.
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Champion gate process discipline and compliance through regular innovation meetings.
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Influence cross-functional stakeholders to support delivery of the innovation agenda and improve the in-market success rate of branded NPD concepts.
Innovation Strategy & Pipeline Development
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Support development of innovation pipeline and innovation opportunities which support the business strategy and the growth objectives of key power brands.
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Support development of innovation strategy and innovation funnel across priority brands.
Commercial & Brand Impact
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Ensure innovation supports brand equity growth and delivers against commercial KPIs.
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Support innovation launch strategies, ensuring clear roles for brand, innovation, and activation.
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Track in market performance and embed learning loops to strengthen future pipelines.
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Partner closely with Insights, Brand, Category, R&D, Finance, Commercial teams & agency partners to drive propositions from concept to launch.
Success Measures
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Strengthen the value of the innovation pipeline (short / medium / long term).
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In market success rate of innovation launches.
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Delivery of innovation contribution to growth targets.
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Stakeholder confidence and alignment behind the innovation agenda.
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Help build a stronger innovation culture and mindset across the organisation.
What you can bring to the role
- Previous experience in brand or innovation roles, preferably within FMCG, with knowledge of innovation stage and gate processes from insight to launch readiness.
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Strong project management capability, with the ability to plan, organise and prioritise projects, activities and resources effectively.
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An understanding of concept development, proposition development and the NPD journey, with examples of successful innovation delivery and in-market launches.
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A solid commercial acumen with experience building and evaluating business cases.
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Consumer focused, insight driven, and commercially grounded.
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Collaborative, decisive, and outcomes focused.
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Curiosity and a hunger to learn, grow and push boundaries.
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Strong influencer across functions, partners and leadership teams.
What we can offer
At Kinisla, we believe in giving talented, curious people the opportunity to make a difference. We work as a team, searching for the best ways to inspire food and nourish life.
We are a community of innovators, working across disciplines to solve global food challenges with a fresh approach. We want you to achieve whatever you put your mind to.
We also offer:
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25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays)
- Health Care
- Matched pension scheme
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Benefits platform offering discounts and cashback on major retailers.
Get in touch today!
In Kinisla we benefit from the knowledge of our colleagues who bring a diverse range of cultures, backgrounds, lifestyles and experiences. One team fostering an inclusive culture that, above all, inspires food and nourishes life. One culture where everyone brings their unique perspectives and experiences to help make us better, together. We are committed to nurturing an environment of positivity and inclusiveness, where everyone can be at their best, both personally and professionally.
Our recruitment, selection and assessment process are based on the skills and competencies of the specific roles and based entirely on merit. We are committed to and value Diversity and Inclusion in all recruitment processes within Kinisla and do not discriminate based on gender, race, class, economic status, ethnic background, sexual orientation, age, political beliefs, veteran status, marital status or any other protected characteristic.
Please note: We do not accept CVs or candidate profiles from recruitment agencies where Kinisla terms of business have not been signed. Additionally, we will not consider or agree to payment of any recruiter fee under these circumstances. This also applies to CVs or candidate profiles sent directly to any Kinisla Hiring Managers.
