Innovation and Renovation Manager

Position Snapshot

Location: Rhodes, Sydney 
Duration: Full time, permanent
5+ years’ experience relevant to this role

Position Summary

Joining Nestlé means you are joining the largest Food and Beverage Company in the world.  Nestlé Health & Nutrition brings together our trusted health, nutrition and wellness portfolio under one purpose: to enhance quality of life and contribute to a healthier future. Through science, innovation and a deep understanding of consumer needs, we’re helping people live healthier lives at every stage of life.

As the Innovation & Renovation Manager, you will provide the structure, leadership and cross-functional coordination needed to progress ideas from concept through to launch.

Working across Australia and New Zealand, you will oversee the innovation portfolio, manage strategic priority projects and ensure teams have the information, decisions and stakeholder alignment required to deliver on time, at the agreed cost and in line with Nestlé policies, procedures and regulatory standards.

A day in the life…

Reporting to the Business Application Manager and leading the Stage Gate process and helping deliver strategic projects, other key responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Manage and continuously review the Oceania Innovation & Renovation portfolio, maintaining accurate project information and supporting quarterly business reviews.


• Lead the I2L Stage Gate process, ensuring projects follow the Nutrition & Health Innovation Ways of Working and required governance.


• Project-manage strategic innovation and renovation initiatives across the Australian and New Zealand markets.


• Coordinate cross-functional teams to achieve critical milestones, resolve risks and deliver launches on time and to target cost of goods.


• Provide clear recommendations and information to key decision-makers on commercial proposals, cost, service, capacity, complexity and project risk.


• Build strong relationships with global factories, local co-manufacturers and internal teams to support effective product development and execution.


• Partner with brand and marketing teams to identify consumer, product and industry innovation opportunities.


• Lead the Oceania sustainability agenda and support delivery of the agreed regional roadmap.


• Collaborate with stakeholders across Marketing, Procurement, Supply Chain, Regulatory Affairs, Legal, Corporate Affairs, Engineering, Quality and international Nutrition & Health teams. 


• Work flexibly with manufacturing partners across multiple global time zones when required.

What will make you successful

Joining a collaborative team of specialists, you will be an accomplished project leader who can bring clarity and momentum to complex, cross-functional programs. You build trusted relationships, communicate confidently and know how to balance innovation, commercial priorities, technical requirements and strong governance.

• Degree qualification in science, project management or related field of study.


• 5+ years’ experience, with a broad understanding of project management and Stage Gate management in FMCG and GMP environments.


• A developed understanding of food and GMP manufacturing.


• Knowledge of relevant regulations, including FSANZ, TGA and Medsafe requirements.


• Experience leading cross-functional projects and working across the supply chain, from sourcing through to distribution.


• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, planning and organisational capability.


• Well-developed communication, presentation and stakeholder-influencing skills.


• Experience using project and business systems, ideally including SAP or I2L.


• An ability to coach, train and motivate others through involvement and collaboration.


• Sensory evaluation experience and an understanding of consumer and customer requirements.


• A proactive, improvement-focused mindset and the flexibility to work with global manufacturing partners across different time zones.


• Flexibility to travel to our contract manufacturers in Victoria and Tasmania. 

Applicants must have full Australian working rights

Applicants will be required to undergo pre-employment checks, including but not limited to health checks, prior to appointment to this role. 

Please note that this role may close earlier than the advertised deadline at our discretion, so we encourage early applications.

Benefits

You will have the chance to work with an outstanding and highly engaged team, build and grow your career with an inclusive, global FMCG leader.

In addition, we offer:

• Competitive salary and attractive bonus program


• Up to five KitKat Days each year to rest, recharge and support your wellbeing


• Personalised development and varied career opportunities


• Wellbeing benefits, including free flu vaccinations, discounted private health insurance and discounted gym memberships


• Access to Purchased Leave, Volunteering Leave, Sports Leave and Emergency Services Leave


• Up to 18 weeks paid parental leave


• Novated leasing options 

Our Story

• Nestlé enjoys a reputation as one of the world’s largest FMCG companies and a leader in nutrition, health and wellness. Our inclusive and high-performance culture is a testament to the great training, development, rewards and recognition we extend to every member of our 5000-strong Oceania workforce.


• Nestlé Oceania supports a culture of diversity and inclusion in all that we do. Take a look at Careers at Nestlé Australia | Nestlé Australia (nestle.com.au) to see some of the ways we live and practice this every day in our workplace.


• For more information please visit our website Nestlé Australia Home | Nestlé Australia (nestle.com.au) or Our LinkedIn page http://www.linkedin.com/company/nestle-s-a-

Apply today!