Innovation Manager

We are looking for a proactive Innovation Manager to support the execution of our innovation and new business development agenda across Retail and Foodservice/QSR channels in the GCC region.

This role provides hands-on experience in design of proposition/product/pack/price-point, project coordination, research, and go-to-market overview, making it an excellent opportunity for a candidate eager to build a career in food innovation.

This role will be pivotal in driving the next phase of our brand’s growth by managing a robust Innovation process, innovation pipeline, commercializing consumer-driven products, and developing adjacent revenue streams beyond the core portfolio.

The ideal candidate will bring a blend of deep GCC market and consumer understanding, innovation leadership, and commercial acumen. This role requires a proven ability to identify, create and scale growth opportunities with a highly iterative and in a structured experimental approach. The role works across retail products, Foodservice/QSR offerings, and potentially emerging formats such as cloud kitchens and new food concepts.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

INNOVATION STRATEGY & PIPELINE LEADERSHIP

• Own and lead the end-to-end innovation pipeline across Retail, Foodservice, and new business adjacent in the GCC.
• Develop and manage a multi-channel innovation pipeline for Retail (packaged foods) and Foodservice (menu/QSR solutions). Identify, prioritize, and shape opportunities by leveraging consumer insights, category trends, and market dynamics.
• Ensure a healthy pipeline of short-term wins (LTOs, extensions) and long-term strategic bets (new categories, adjacencies, concepts).
• Drive stage-gate discipline and ensure initiatives are commercially viable, scalable, and aligned with business strategy.
• Partner with cross-functional teams for sizing the initiative, proposition development and superior claims.
• Create compelling insights, weave them with product features and consumer benefits.
• Accelerate speed-to-market while maintaining quality and profitability.
• Identify consumer trends, white spaces, and adjacent opportunities (new formats, categories, or partnerships).
• Build business cases from A-Z and prioritize innovation initiatives with clear commercial impact.
• Run Innovation roadshows for Commercial and business stakeholders jointly with Suppliers and R&D teams
• Manage external suppliers (Insights and ingredients suppliers) to gain insights on the latest trends.

COMMERCIALIZATION & GO-TO-MARKET

• Lead the end-to-end commercialization process, from ideation to launch, ensuring speed-to-market and operational feasibility.
• Manage the stage-gate innovation process, balancing creativity with financial viability and brand fit.
• Oversee launch readiness across GCC markets, including supply chain, trade activation, and marketing support.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, & SKILLS

Academic and professional qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Post Graduate degree in Statistics, Food Science, Marketing, Economics or related field.

Experience:

• 10+ of experience in Consumer Insights, Sensory and Market research (preferably in FMCG or Foodservice). Experience in Frozen foods category is a strong plus.
• Must have the creative streak and experience with proposition/concept development
• Must have experience with setting action standards, and be familiar test designs.
• Must have experience with interpretation of test data.
• Solid project coordination and organizational skills with high perseverance.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal & written).
• Comfortable with MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint) and project management tools.