Innovations Director

JOB DESCRIPTION:

About Abbott

Abbott is a global healthcare leader, creating breakthrough science to improve people’s health. We’re always looking towards the future, anticipating changes in medical science and technology.

Our nutrition business develops science-based nutrition products for people of all ages, from helping babies and children grow, to keeping adult bodies strong and active. Millions of people around the world count on our leading brands – including Similac®, PediaSure®, Pedialyte®, Ensure®, Glucerna® and ZonePerfect® – to help get the nutrients they need to live their healthiest life.

Role Purpose:
Abbott Nutrition International (ANI), a division of Abbott Laboratories Ltd., is a leading player in Nutrition market in Asia Pacific. A critical factor in ANI’s success has been the regular innovations to products and commercial operations to keep our brands superior to competition in Healthcare Professionals’ and Consumers’ minds.The Director, Innovations – Pacific Asia shapes and delivers the region’s end-to-end innovation agenda across Adult and Pediatric Nutrition. This role leads long-term innovation strategy, sources internal and external innovation opportunities for expanding portfolio / forms / formats, and accelerates commercialization to unlock profitable growth, strengthen brand superiority, and reduce speed-to-market cycles.

What You’ll Do

• Define long-term Innovation Strategy based on consumer/HCP insights, competitive mapping, unmet needs, and portfolio roles.
• Build a diversified pipeline (in-house R&D, in-licensing, TPM development, ingredient-led innovations, acquisitions).
• Create and nurture senior-level partnerships with TPMs, ingredient vendors, product developers, and strategic innovators.
• Integrate innovation priorities into Area and Affiliate IBPs and influence demand and portfolio strategies.
• Shape LTP volume and profitability forecasts for innovation and secure senior alignment.
• Strengthen regional innovation governance, ways of working, and cross-functional operating model.
• External Partners: Third Party Manufacturers (TPMs), Ingredient Vendors,  Product Developers, Strategic Innovation Partners
• Commercial impact: Incremental revenue, margin expansion, and pipeline value delivered
• Pipeline strength: Robust, insight-driven portfolio of innovations across internal and external sources
• Partnership success: High-quality external partnerships converted into executable projects
• Speed acceleration: Reduced cycle time from idea to launch
• Governance excellence: NPC and S&OP innovation governance effectiveness
• Monthly – Pipeline Advancement & Cross-Functional Execution
• Develop business cases for externally sourced innovation opportunities and secure commercial and leadership approvals.
• Lead externally driven innovation projects—licensing, TPM development, ingredient partnerships—through cross-functional teams.
• Coordinate top-to-top external partner meetings to accelerate project velocity.
• Partner with enabler functions on brand or organizational acquisition evaluations and execution.
• Lead NPC governance to review progress, make decisions, and introduce new innovation ideas.
• Ensure all innovation projects meet P&L requirements, PPI goals, and margin hurdles.
• Track post-launch performance and ensure continuous optimization.
• Run monthly affiliate innovation reviews to accelerate timelines and unblock market-specific barriers.
• Resolve operational bottlenecks to maintain speed-to-market.
• Provide rapid decision-making support to affiliates and functional partners.
• Manage urgent external partner negotiations, regulatory clarifications, or technical needs.
• Maintain visibility on risks and proactively mobilize resources to keep milestones on track.

Requirements

• Min 10–15+ years in consumer health, nutrition, or FMCG with innovation leadership.
• Proven success in partnership-led innovation and/or acquisition-led growth.
• Strong ability to convert insights into commercially viable innovation strategies.
• Experience negotiating with external organizations and leading complex cross-functional projects.
• Exceptional influence, executive communication prowess, and stakeholder management across borders.

Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.

Connect with us at www.abbott.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal.

The base pay for this position is

In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY:

DIVISION:

LOCATION:

ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:

WORK SHIFT:

TRAVEL:

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:

SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: