Head of Innovation

Our client is a leading multinational company recognized for its commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainable practices across its global operations. With a strong emphasis on R&D and forward-thinking solutions, the company is driven by a mission to stay ahead of industry trends and deliver products that create value for customers and stakeholders. To support their next phase of growth and transformation, they are seeking a visionary Head of Innovation to lead the strategic development of new materials, product solutions, and processes that position the company at the forefront of its industry.

The Head of Innovation will be responsible for designing and executing the company’s innovation roadmap, with a focus on material advancement, product performance, and sustainable, cost-effective solutions. This role demands a forward-thinking leader with a proven track record of delivering impactful innovation, building high-performing teams, and driving cross-functional collaboration that turns ideas into commercially successful outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Innovation Strategy & Leadership

Define and implement a comprehensive innovation strategy aligned with business objectives and long-term growth.

Identify market trends, technological advancements, and emerging customer needs to shape innovation priorities.

Promote a culture of experimentation, creativity, and continuous improvement across the organization.

Material & Technology Advancement

Drive the discovery and development of advanced materials and technologies that improve product functionality, sustainability, and efficiency.

Lead research and feasibility studies to validate new concepts and ensure readiness for scale-up and commercialization.

Collaborate with technical teams to ensure solutions are viable, scalable, and aligned with manufacturing capabilities.

Cross-functional Collaboration

Work closely with product development, manufacturing, procurement, and commercial teams to align innovation initiatives with business needs.

Partner with external research institutions, technology providers, and suppliers to leverage external expertise and resources.

Ensure stakeholder alignment and effective communication throughout all stages of the innovation process.

Team Building & People Development

Build and lead a multidisciplinary innovation team, fostering collaboration, skill development, and high performance.

Provide mentorship, set clear goals, and cultivate an environment of curiosity, accountability, and results-driven innovation.

Develop team capabilities in line with current and future innovation needs.

Cost, Performance, and Sustainability Improvements

Identify opportunities to enhance product performance, reduce cost, and integrate sustainable practices into design and development.

Ensure that innovation projects contribute to operational efficiency and meet environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.

Utilize data and insights to validate outcomes and inform future innovations.

Commercial Impact & Execution

Ensure that innovation efforts are market-relevant and commercially viable.

Collaborate with marketing and sales to support go-to-market strategies and successful product launches.

Monitor post-launch performance and iterate based on customer feedback and market dynamics.

Project Management & Metrics

Manage multiple innovation projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery within scope and budget.

Establish KPIs to measure innovation success—including ROI, time-to-market, adoption rate, and impact on cost and sustainability.

Maintain clear project documentation and reporting for executive stakeholders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Material Science, Innovation Management, or related field; MBA or PhD is a plus.

10+ years of experience leading innovation, R&D, or product development functions in manufacturing, technology, or consumer goods industries.

Strong understanding of innovation frameworks, material development, and commercialization processes.

Demonstrated success in bringing innovative, market-driven products or solutions to market.

Excellent leadership, project management, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Strategic thinker with the ability to manage complexity, inspire teams, and deliver measurable results.