Innovation Manager

Full time position based at our Osborne Park Office
- Flexible / hybrid working environment.
- Fun, rewarding, people first culture

**_The Business_**

Patties Food Group is a value-led organisation with a rich Australian history, home to some of our most iconic brands including Four’N Twenty, Patties, Herbert Adams, Nanna’s, Lean Cuisine, Weight Watchers and On the Menu. Our company values of **courage, trust, integrity**, and **ownership** reflect our origin as a proudly local company and have helped form a strong foundation for international growth. Patties is the market leader in frozen savoury and frozen meals categories, with 7 manufacturing sites across Australia and New Zealand, and a workforce of over 1700. Of course, along with Great Brands, and Great Assets, the other vital ingredient in our recipe for success is - GREAT PEOPLE, and that is where you come in

**_The Role_**

As Innovation Manager, you will be responsible for initiating, facilitating and translating New Product Development opportunities by following the stage & gate system. Driving innovation projects utilising the Patties Foods framework to conduct, strategic rationale and feasibility assessments to deliver timely, profitable results.

The Innovation Manager will also drive the education of category trends that are relevant to PFG strategic As an Innovation Manager, you will be:

- Assist in initiating all Innovation projects as the owner of the innovation funnel, providing visibility and clear priority management of projects.
- Ensuring projects are coordinated, prioritised, and managed effectively to deliver maximum results to PFG, providing effective handover to project managers following the completion of detailed and accurate scoping stages.
- Facilitate innovation meetings and lead key functions on innovation issues on a day to day basis.
- Mentor other team members creating a growth mentality.
- Contributing to the development and implementation of annual NPD budgets that meet strategic and operational targets and report progress regularly.
- Leading all key functions on innovation issues on a day-to-day basis, working closely with business function heads to drive implementation.
- Assisting sales, marketing & production with future innovation strategies with customers.
- Managing projects using stage & gate system to create products and bring to market. At all-time consideration around scalability of industrial production.

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**_The Person_**

This role is very hands on and will have you successfully operating at both a strategic and operational level. To be successful in the role you will:

- Have Degree Qualification in Marketing/R&D
- Minimum 5 years of within related experience
- Proven experience in a project management role Self-motivated and a desire to achieve a successful career.
- Confident, assertive and a clear communicator.
- Problem solver, flexible, able to adapt to new ways of working.
- Approachable and strong listening skills.
- High level of self-awareness and willingness to learn from feedback and constructive criticism.

The Key Functional Relationship for this role will include but are not limited to:

- R&D Team
- Brand Managers & OOH Marketing Manager
- Plant Manager
- Product Cost/Management Accountant
- Sales (including Corporate & Private Label)
- GM Marketing / GM Manufacturing
- Quality Managers & Team members
- Development Chefs & Team Lead
- Production, Process Improvement and Scheduling
- Procurement

**_What we offer you_**

At Patties Food Group we are an Equal Opportunity employer, that is committed to providing an inclusive environment where all employees are treated fairly and with respect. As a member of the Patties Food Group team, you will have access to generous employee benefits that compliment a positive work/life balance, including salary packaging, hybrid/flexible working arrangements, take home products, Employee Assistant Program (EAP) services, supportive parental leave options and multiple social and engagement activities.

**_Join us now_