Sr. Specialist, Innovation & Strategy

Nestle's Research & Development Center is our regional powerhouse driving innovation in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical science. Backed by our global Nestle R&D organization, we lead breakthrough discoveries that are both good for consumers and the planet. Our team of experts range from product developers to engineers, working across our portfolio of food, beverage, infant nutrition, and health science to create leading-edge products and services. As part of our organization, you will use your entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence to unlock the power of food and provide premium value.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

JOB SUMMARY:

The role will deliver Innovation Coaching responsibilities for R&D North America, playing a crucial role in driving innovation initiatives in R&D and the R D Accelerator across Food and Beverage categories. Responsibilities include leading lean project teams and guiding them through rapid data and insights-driven decision-making processes. The position will provide project leadership from ideation to in-market shop-test, pursuing the validation of business ideas driven by new technologies and novel ideas that are of strategic interest to Nestle.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead project team from idea-to-launch through consumer problem definition, solution design, manufacturing, and shop test.
• Utilize entrepreneurial mindset, agile innovation tools, and design-thinking principles to develop and test disruptive product concepts.
• Develop project plans including scope, design basis, success criteria, timelines, resource needs, critical assumptions, and risk analysis.
• Transform an idea into a product test launch within 6 months, through development of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that is scalable, and consumer driven.
• Challenge experimental design, test project assumptions and validate hypothesis.
• Effectively manage stakeholders and business partners (innovation agencies, start-ups, external partners, etc.)
• Partner within the R D Accelerator team for dedicated support for growth hacking, graphic design, and product design expertise; as well as outside of R D Accelerator team with extended Nestle organization.
• Effectively network within Nestle USA and Global R&D community to support Accelerator teams in accessing all needed knowledge to advance the design, development, and decision-making.
• Up-skill project teams on entrepreneurial behaviors and agile innovation approaches.
• Manage and prioritize as necessary multiple deliverables across multiple projects simultaneously.
• Establish and implement transfer plans for projects post-closure with business stakeholders.
• Stay abreast of innovation trends, techniques, and external capabilities to help evolve ways of working.
• Be a recognized ambassador of the R D Accelerator in the organization.
• Ability to travel 10% (mostly within US)

JOB QUALIFICATIONS (Education, Experience and Knowledge):

• Bachelor's Degree in Science, Engineering, Business, or related field.
• Preferred minimum of 7 years of consumer product goods experience, specifically, developing and commercializing new product concepts.
• Preferred minimum of 2 years of experience leading a project team.
• Working knowledge of the food industry with a broad understanding of consumer research methodologies, manufacturing, and commercial functions.
• Required Project Management and Coaching skills in Innovation, with end-to-end experience. Project Management certification a plus.
• Strong business acumen.
• Proven ability to turn big picture questions and insights into clear actions and output.
• Strong understanding in "Build-Measure-Learn" start-up methodology. Able to apply to projects independently, and coach and train project team members on this methodology.
• Consumer-obsessed and passion for Innovation
• Strong stakeholder management skills at all levels and across functional roles, setting up new ways of working, challenging the status-quo. This role is highly visible to Executive Leadership.
• Strong presentation skills (storyline, design and communication)
• Strong organizational skills

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It is our business imperative to remain a very inclusive workplace.

To our veterans and separated service members, you're at the forefront of our minds as we recruit top talent to join Nestle. The skills you've gained while serving our country, such as flexibility, agility, and leadership, are much like the skills that will make you successful in this role. In addition, with our commitment to an inclusive work environment, we recognize the exceptional engagement and innovation displayed by individuals with disabilities. Nestle seeks such skilled and qualified individuals to share our mission where you'll join a cohort of others who have chosen to call Nestle home.

The Nestle Companies are an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer seeking diversity in qualified applicants for employment. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, gender, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, perceived disability, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status, as defined by applicable law. Prior to the next step in the recruiting process, we welcome you to inform us confidentially if you may require any special accommodations in order to participate fully in our recruitment experience. Contact us at accommodations@nestle.com or please dial 711 and provide this number to the operator: 1-800-321-6467.

This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

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