Open Innovation & Interconnectivity Manager (EU)
Job Description
Key Responsibilities:
• External Collaboration: Cultivate and maintain relationships with external partners, including suppliers, contract manufacturers, innovation houses, start-ups, and individual inventors in the EU region.
• Innovation Scouting: Proactively identify, evaluate, and integrate breakthrough innovations from external sources in EU that align with 's strategic objectives at the global level.
• Turn-Key Solution Development: Partner with R&D and cross-functional teams to develop and implement turn-key solutions that drive product and process innovation.
• Open Innovation Strategy: Modernize existing OI practices and introduce new OI best practices across all R&D and business functions.
• Portfolio Management: Own and manage the portfolio of OI initiatives, ensuring alignment with the company's broader R&D and strategic goals.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Quality, GMS, Procurement, Packaging, Product Development and Legal, to streamline the innovation process.
• Partnership Management: Actively manage several high impact partnerships in line with our Global R&D Strategy.
• Program Management: Ensure that the Open Innovation program is implemented in the EU region and ecosystem with consistent principles and best practices.
• Reporting: Regularly update the US-based Senior Director of Open Innovation & Interconnectivity on progress, challenges, and opportunities in the European OI landscape.
Experience Required:
• Bachelor’s/master’s degree in chemical engineering/chemistry/Life Sciences with 10+ years of FMCG industry experience. Advanced degrees, Ph.D. or MBA preferred.
• Extensive experience in R&D management, preferably in the FMCG sector.
• Proven track record in Open Innovation, with a strong network in the European innovation ecosystem.
• Ability to navigate and collaborate with external commercial partners, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to evaluate and integrate external innovations seamlessly.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills. Proficient in IP management.
• Exceptional communication skills, with proficiency in multiple European languages being a plus.
• Willingness to travel as needed to engage with innovation partners and stakeholders.