Position title:
mexico innovation manager
dept. / function:
marketing
location:
guadalajara, jalisco (hybrid)
advanced english required
summary:
to identify, design, and deliver innovation strategies that unlock future growth for the business. The senior innovation manager leverages consumer, shopper, and market insights to shape the innovation pipeline, working cross-functionally to translate unmet needs and category opportunities into breakthrough products, services, and business models that strengthen brand relevance and drive long-term competitiveness.
major duties/responsibilities:
* 25% innovation strategy & pipeline building
* 20% consumer & market insight translation
* 30% cross-functional leadership & execution
* 15% commercialization & launch impact
* 10% external & future focus
minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:
*
1. innovation strategy & pipeline
* define and manage the long-term innovation strategy in line with brand, category, and business priorities.
* build a robust pipeline of short-, mid-, and long-term innovation projects to fuel sustainable growth.
* identify white spaces, future growth platforms, and disruption opportunities beyond current product lines.
*
1. consumer-centric growth
* translate consumer, shopper, and cultural insights into innovation opportunities.
* ensure all innovation is rooted in real human needs and market trends.
* anticipate future behaviors, lifestyles, and sustainability demands to future-proof the portfolio.
*
1. portfolio & category development
* shape innovation platforms that expand the brand's reach into new segments, channels, or categories.
* balance incremental innovation (line extensions, reformulations) with breakthrough, transformational ideas.
* partner with category and commercial teams to ensure innovations contribute to long-term category leadership.
*
1. cross-functional leadership
* lead collaboration with r&d, supply chain, finance, sales, and marketing to bring innovations from concept to market.
* own the stage-gate / innovation funnel process, ensuring rigor, speed, and scalability.
* act as the connector between creativity (ideas) and execution (feasibility, profitability, and speed-to-market).
*
1. commercial impact
* build business cases for innovations, aligning with p&l, pricing, and channel strategies.
* partner with finance and sales to size opportunities and ensure strong launch roi.
* drive post-launch evaluation and learning to continuously improve the innovation process.
*
1. external & future focus
* monitor competitor and category innovation activity, technology trends, and startup ecosystems.
* build partnerships with external agencies, startups, suppliers, and research partners to access new ideas and capabilities.
* champion sustainability, digital, and future-forward consumer trends within the innovation agenda.
* key skills & competencies
* strategic vision: ability to link long-term brand and business growth to innovation platforms.
* consumer-centric mindset: passion for uncovering insights and translating them into opportunities.
* creativity & curiosity: ability to challenge norms, think disruptively, and explore new business models.
* commercial acumen: strong p&l, financial, and business case development skills.
* influence & leadership: skilled at leading cross-functional and global/local teams in a matrix organization.
* agility & execution: able to balance big-picture thinking with hands-on project deliver
education:
bachelor
experience:
+7-10 years