Job Information
Nestle Innovation & Strategy Manager - R&D North America in Arlington, Virginia
Nestlé’s Research & Development Center is our regional powerhouse driving innovation in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical science. Backed by our global Nestlé R&D organization, we lead breakthrough discoveries that are both good for consumers and the planet. Our team of experts range from product developers to engineers, working across our portfolio of food, beverage, infant nutrition, and health science to create leading-edge products and services. As part of our organization, you will use your entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence to unlock the power of food and provide premium value.
This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.
JOB SUMMARY:
The role will lead the Innovation Coaching function for R&D North America, playing a crucial role in driving innovation initiatives in R&D and R+D Accelerator across Food and Beverage categories. Responsibilities will include managing a team of Innovation coaches and project teams, guiding them through rapid data and insights-driven decision-making processes. The position will provide project leadership from ideation to shop test, ensuring the validation of business ideas driven by new technologies and novel ideas that are of strategic interest.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Leading & Coaching Accelerator Program and Project Teams
Prepare Accelerator projects for kick-off, including project scoping, stakeholder on-boarding, core team recruitment and composition, securing expert resources, and portfolio budget management.
Lead and coach the project team to create data-driven consumer-centric insights to enable Problem-Solution Fit, paving a path for in-market testing of a scalable Minimum Viable Product.
Challenge experimental design to test project assumptions and validate hypothesis through consumer research.
Collaborate with Accelerator cross-functional experts (growth hacker, product designer, graphic designer) and global R&D experts to employ scientific and technological unlocks to enable breakthrough MVP creation.
Lead and coach Accelerator project teams to rapidly transform an idea into a product test launch within 6 months to validate Product-Market Fit. Develop team members on project management skills (e.g. risk mitigation, stakeholder management, budget, timeline, etc.), and agile disruptive innovation skills (design thinking, lean methodology, etc.) while instilling entrepreneurial behaviors (speed, agility, multi-hatting, etc.) to support their professional development. Liaise with project team members’ Line Managers to align and provide feedback on their development opportunities and goals.
Establish and implement transfer plans for projects post-closure with business stakeholders.
Partner with RDNA Leadership Team to plan and secure cross-functional resources to support Accelerator project execution.
Actively assess Accelerator portfolio performance and alignment to global standards and best practices, identifying opportunities for RDNA to serve as lighthouse in the Accelerator network to develop improved ways of working and new approaches.
Be a recognized ambassador of the Accelerator in the organization.
Evaluate and support strategic selection of innovation agency partners, and act as primary contact point to manage agency relationship and portfolio of work.
Lead Team of Innovation Coaches (Direct Reports)
Lead and manage the development of people within the team, actively monitoring and coaching all aspects of professional development plans & performance.
Liaise with global Accelerator Coach network to drive and influence talent development, build functional competencies and improve/standardize ways of working.
Ensure Innovation Coaching best practices are deployed and mastered across Accelerator teams supporting ZNA businesses by networking with and influencing functional counterparts
Oversee Innovation Coach project management support to portfolio of R&D-driven projects (outside of Accelerator scope) to explore strategy and technology deployment of R&D concepts in North America.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS (Education, Experience and Knowledge):
BS Degree in Science, Engineering, Business, or related field.
Preferred minimum of 10 years of consumer product goods experience, specifically, developing and commercializing new product concepts.
Minimum of 2 years of experience, leading teams or direct reports.
Working knowledge of the food industry with a broad understanding of consumer research methodologies, manufacturing and commercial functions.
Strong Project Management and Coaching skills in Innovation, with end-to-end experience. Project Management certification a plus.
Strong business acumen.
Proven ability to turn big picture questions and insights into clear actions and output.
Strong expertise in “Build-Measure-Learn” start-up methodology. Able to apply to projects independently, and coach and train project team members on this methodology.
Consumer-obsessed and passion for Innovation
Strong stakeholder management skills at all levels and across functional roles, setting up new ways of working, challenging the status-quo. This role is highly visible to Executive Leadership.
Strong presentation skills (storyline, design and communication)
Strong organizational skills.
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It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace.
To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestlé. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestlé seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you’ll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestlé home.
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