Innovation Business Development & Operations Direc

Job content

At Firmenich people are at the heart of the company, we are committed to equal employment opportunities and value diversity in the workplace.

Director - Perfumery Innovation Business Development & Operations

Work location : Geneva headquarters, Switzerland

We are currently seeking an experienced and highly driven, results oriented, individual to join the Firmenich Perfumery organization as Director for Innovation Business Development & Operations. Reporting to our SVP Innovation, this individual will be responsible for defining and executing Business Development and Product Management strategies, directives and plans for an assigned portfolio of Product Innovations. In addition they will lead all Operational activities for the whole Innovation Business Development team. As a critical contributor at Global level, they will collaborate closely with every function within Perfumery and also across all key business partners in Research, Supply Chain, Legal and Compliance, in order to rigorously execute strategies that will accelerate our product Innovations to market and drive accelerated Sales growth. This position is based in Geneva.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute Business strategies, directives & plans for assigned Product Innovations

Identify and prioritize business targets for Innovation deployment plans with Sales & Category teams and relentlessly drive them forward to deliver ambitious sales growth targets

Set Business directives (pricing, on-costs, business models, MOQs) for assigned Innovations

Work closely with E2E Innovation Program Leader to ensure R&D (and all related functions) deliver a pipeline of Innovations that meet Business needs

Positively contribute to Innovation leadership forums across Research, Perfumery, Category, IP, Regulatory etc.

Ensure Sales teams are adequately trained on the features, benefits and overall value created by their assigned Innovations (often joining Sales for presentations to Clients)

Identify and manage any external third-party Innovation Partners needed for assigned Innovation spaces

Ensure correct legal Agreements are in place for all interactions with Clients or External Innovation Partners

Centrally lead all Operational activities on behalf of Business Development team including; S&OP, Costing/Pricing, Data Management, Financial Analysis & Reporting .

Oversee preparation and management of all Innovation Business Cases with Program Leaders & Research

Work closely with Research on overall Portfolio Management and Governance processes for E2E Innovation

We value

Educated to at least Honors Degree (ideally PhD) in a Science or Business related discipline

At least 10 years’ experience at Management level within Perfumery & Flavors and/or FMCG industry.

Thorough understanding of Innovation Project Management and related processes

Solid track record of developing & executing strategies, successfully taking product Innovations to market and achieving profitable sales growth

Strong business acumen with expertise in managing data and performing rigorous financial analytics

Excellent communication & interpersonal skills. An ability to simplify complex topics and to articulate and translate Science into consumer relevant language (and vice versa).

Strong operational and organizational skills-set with the ability to manage a range of complex activities with changing or competing priorities.

A cross-functional team player that is proactive, driven, action/result oriented, with a sense of accountability and ownership

Fluent in English (ideally also French).

We offer

A highly socially and environmentally responsible company with strong reward and recognition

Work in global and intercultural environment

A world-class infrastructure in cross-functional synergies and expertise such as R&D, Sales, Consumer Insight, Marketing, Creation & Development, Compliance, Operations

Foster leadership skills by driving strategic decision-making initiatives