Innovation Manager Retail

The Innovation Manager – Retail leads the UK Retail innovation agenda, managing Innovation Specialists and executing the UK SMI strategy to deliver sustainable, profitable growth. You will support the development of the innovation pipeline in line with customer and market needs and drive Innovation Sales, Value Creation and Commercial Excellence KPI’s. You will ensure alignment and consistency across the Retail sites and a one UK team approach. You will drive the consistent usage of our Design Tools, Services and Processes across all Retail sites to deliver customer satisfaction improvements.  

Key Responsibilities 

Strategy & Growth 

• Execute and adapt the Retail innovation strategy in line with UK SMI priorities 

• Partner closely with Sales to drive customer loyalty, value creation and profitable growth 

• Develop the innovation pipeline based on customer, market and category insights 

• Deliver commercial results through Design Tools and PackRight Centre workshops 

Innovation, Performance & Metrics 

• Lead development and delivery of commercially viable, insight‑led innovation solutions 

• Drive innovation sales, value creation and commercial excellence KPIs 

• Ensure consistent deployment of Design & Innovation processes across all Retail sites 

• Track, report and deliver against Retail innovation KPIs 

Leadership, People & Culture 

• Lead, motivate and develop a high‑performing team of Innovation Specialists 

• Foster a one‑UK‑team culture, encouraging collaboration and best‑practice sharing 

• Build team capability through performance management, PDPs and succession planning 

About You  

• Demonstrable track record of driving strategies to support value-added sales  

• Experience of driving efficiency through people, processes and tools  

• Customer, category and market focussed; experienced in developing and deploying insight-based value focussed innovation 

• Driving results and delivering targeted Innovation plans through Cluster teams 

• Experience supporting the recruitment and retention of highly competent D&I teams; leading specialist innovation teams to support business growth and continue to develop customer offerings 

• Advanced MS Office skills 

• Excellent project management, networking and communication skills 

• Fluent in English, any other European languages are a plus 

• Able to operate in a matrix organisation and with an international mind-set 

• Degree in a design‑related discipline, with further business or design qualifications preferred 

What we can offer you: 

• Competitive salary 

• Digital GP, Pension scheme, Life insurance and Income Protection 

• 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays 

• Employee Assistance Programme 

• Employee discounts