Senior Innovation Manager

About the Role

We are looking for a Senior Innovation Manager to strengthen our innovation capability and drive strategic initiatives across the company. In this role, you will help shape the future of our kitchen and personal care products, contribute to our sustainability ambitions, and ensure that emerging technologies and business opportunities are evaluated and converted into impactful innovations.

You will operate at both strategic and hands‑on levels: guiding the innovation portfolio, facilitating cross‑functional collaboration, and translating technology foresight into actionable roadmaps. You will coach teams, support open innovation efforts with customers and external partners, and act as a key driver of our innovation culture.

What You Will Do

• Manage and steer the innovation portfolio, ensuring alignment with strategy and sustainability goals.
• Facilitate cross‑functional ideation, co‑creation, and concept development activities.
• Lead technology foresight efforts, assess emerging trends, and translate insights into technology and product roadmaps.
• Drive scouting activities and evaluate external technologies, partners, and opportunities.
• Support and challenge innovation and project teams through structured methods and clear decision frameworks (e.g., Stage‑Gate, Lean Startup).
• Contribute to business‑model innovation and strategic opportunity shaping.
• Provide thought leadership, coaching, and methodological guidance within the innovation team.
• Lead projects and act as a technical and methodological authority without having direct personnel responsibility.

Your Profile

We are looking for a candidate with the following qualifications:

• 5+ years of experience in innovation management or technology management, preferably with exposure to both R&D and manufacturing environments.
• Strong capabilities in innovation methodologies such as technology foresight, portfolio management, business‑model innovation, Stage‑Gate, and Lean Startup.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across all hierarchical levels and disciplines.
• Strong affinity for technical domains and emerging technologies.
• A proactive, open‑minded personality with the ability to work independently and guide others.
• A strategic yet hands‑on mindset that connects long‑term thinking with real execution.
• Excellent English skills (must‑have); German and another language is beneficial.

Benefits

• 30 days of vacation
• International collaboration with opportunities to travel to our global sites
• Opportunity to make a real impact on sustainability within a forward‑thinking team
• Work location in the historic heart of Lucerne, Switzerland