Innovation Strategy Development Intern - MBA

About Us

At Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition, we are making significant advances in food and health with new ideas and innovative technologies. We are seeking candidates with energy and enthusiasm to be part of our growing team throughout North America. As an Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition employee, you are part of a diverse, innovative, and collaborative community committed to enhancing lives through nutrition and health. Our team is committed to providing amino acid-based solutions that create better lives for all.

Overview

POSITION PURPOSE: The Ajinomoto Group is a global company focused on the research, development, and manufacture of high-quality products for the pharmaceutical, specialty chemical, nutraceutical, sports nutrition, health & beauty industries, and consumer food products. As part of its growth strategy, the company is currently deepening its involvement into the advanced therapy space, including gene and cell therapies.

The Ajinomoto Innovation Strategy Development team (ISD) is seeking a motivated Strategy Development Summer Associate to join our team and contribute to our strategic planning efforts. The Summer Associate will play a pivotal role in the development of Ajinomoto’s advanced therapy strategy by focusing on market research, identification of new business opportunities, and the evaluation and execution of partnership/alliances, M&A, and joint venture.

Qualifications

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS, AND EXPERIENCE:

• We seek initiative-taking MBA students passionate about healthcare, business development, and venture capital.
• Successful candidates will demonstrate strong analytical and critical thinking skills, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a keen interest in biotech.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• A growth mindset capable of identifying new business opportunities and drive growth objectives in healthcare and biotech-related businesses.
• An understanding of the process of new business creation, from identifying the market and product market fit, technology, go-to-market, and financial models/valuation.
• An ability to effectively work across functions, and specifically with Corporate Strategy, Corporate Venture Capital (CVC), Research & Development (R&D) teams, and the business units to identify organic and inorganic growth opportunit
• An understanding of the biotech ecosystem, including academic research, startups, biopharmaceuticals, Venture Capital, CVC, etc.
• Strong project management skills, working across large cross-functional teams and external stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience in presenting complex information clearly.
• Command of the MS Office suite.
• Scientific background in life science preferred not necessary.

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements

OCCUPATIONAL DEMANDS:   This position is primarily office work at both a standing desk or traditional desk with a computer.

Responsibilities

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Interns at Ajinomoto ISD will be involved first-hand in the multifaceted field of corporate innovation. Key responsibilities include analyzing market trends, identifying new BD opportunities, and evaluating partnership and M&A deals. Also, the Summer Associate will be expected to prepare presentation and other documentation to report findings and recommendations to senior management. We use Pitchbook to review our pipelines.
• Special Projects:
  • Deep Dive into the advanced therapy startup landscape, e.g., gene & cell therapy, gene editing, stem cells, etc.
  • Review of M&A opportunities in the advanced therapy space
  • Development of thought leadership using internal assets

Salary Range

EEO Statement

Ajinomoto is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, disability, age (40 or older) or genetic information (including family medical history) for recruitment, hiring, and promotion decisions.