Group Innovation Manager

Key Responsibilities

Innovation Strategy & Portfolio Management

• Support the definition and deployment of the Group Innovation Strategy.
• Identify emerging market trends, customer expectations and technology developments relevant to the flexible packaging industry.
• Translate market and customer insights into innovation opportunities and strategic initiatives.
• Contribute to the prioritization and governance of the innovation portfolio across the Group.
• Ensure alignment between local innovation activities and broader business objectives.

Customer & Market Engagement

• Act as a strategic innovation partner for key customers.
• Engage with customers to understand future needs, market dynamics and sustainability challenges.
• Translate customer requirements into innovation roadmaps and development priorities.
• Support commercial teams in innovation-driven customer discussions and strategic projects.
• Facilitate collaboration between customers and internal technical teams to accelerate innovation initiatives.

Stakeholder Management & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Connect and coordinate local Innovation Experts across different sites and regions.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and the transfer of ideal practices throughout the organization.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across Sales, Operations,Sustainability, Engineering, Procurement, Marketing and Quality.
• Act as a bridge between local teams and Group functions, ensuring alignment and collaboration.
• Influence decision-making through technical expertise, business understanding and effective communication.

Technology & Innovation Ecosystem

• Monitor industry developments, competitive activities and emerging technologies.
• Build relationships with suppliers, research institutes, universities and innovation partners.
• Evaluate new technologies, materials and solutions that can strengthen the Group's competitive position.
• Promote innovation opportunities related to sustainability, circular economy and future regulatory requirements.

Innovation Governance & Performance

• Support a structured and scalable innovation management process across the organization.
• Monitor innovation initiatives, milestones and outcomes.
• Contribute to innovation reporting, KPI definition and performance tracking.
• Ensure innovation efforts are translated into measurable business impact.