Biscuits Innovation Manager WACAM

Job Description
Are You Ready to Make It Happen at Mondelēz International?
Join our Mission to Lead the Future of Snacking. Make It Uniquely Yours.
You are part of a team that experiments with cutting-edge technologies, delivering solutions revealed as a result of the testing and learnings, and developing strong partnerships to enable growth through innovation and agile methodologies.
How you will contribute
You will implement pilot projects to drive disruptive ideas across the organization, using the learnings from these projects to inform decisions on whether to incorporate them as a portfolio project or to introduce them as a new proof of concept. You will also get to experiment with cutting-edge technologies while at the same time building strong partnerships within the business to build a strong pipeline of ideas to pursue. In addition, you will get to bring the outside in by building relationships with start-ups and building your knowledge of actual proof-of-concept cases, and scope, align, adopt and leverage technology for respective learnings and pilots.
What you will bring
A desire to drive your future and accelerate your career. You will bring experience and knowledge in:

• Project management including knowledge of Agile
• Technical expertise and a passion for innovation, understanding a variety of disruptive technology products and services
• Technical and business acumen to evaluate opportunities with internal and external partners
• Machine learning/artificial intelligence programming languages
• The start-up landscape
• Familiarity with the fast-moving consumer goods or related sector
• Leading internal and external teams through complex challenges and developing creative solutions/options
• Driving for results and Analytical Skills

More about this role
This role is critical for driving innovation within the Biscuits category, focusing on strategy, execution, and cross-functional leadership to deliver consumer-centric products that align with global brand objectives and regional market demands.
1. Key Responsibilities

• Innovation Strategy Development & Execution:
  • Formulate and implement the regional innovation strategy for the Biscuits category, ensuring alignment with global brand guidelines and specific regional market needs.
  • Proactively identify and assess emerging consumer trends, market opportunities, and potential competitive threats to strategically inform the innovation pipeline.
  • Establish clear innovation priorities, define quantifiable targets, and set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to effectively measure success and progress.

• Innovation Pipeline Management:
  • Lead the comprehensive innovation process from initial ideation and concept development through to product launch and critical post-launch evaluation.
  • Oversee a diverse portfolio of innovation projects, guaranteeing timely delivery, adherence to budgetary constraints, and compliance with stringent quality standards.
  • Collaborate closely with Research & Development (R&D), Insights, and Commercial teams to cultivate and launch successful product concepts and prototypes.

• Cross-functional Leadership:
  • Build, lead, and mentor high-performing cross-functional teams, including members from Marketing, R&D, Supply Chain, Sales, and Finance.
  • Effectively influence and align key stakeholders across the organization to secure widespread support and buy-in for strategic innovation initiatives.
  • Communicate transparently and effectively with senior management, providing regular updates on innovation progress, performance, and key milestones.

• Market Research & Consumer Insights:
  • Direct and oversee all market research and consumer insights activities to gain a deep understanding of consumer needs, preferences, and pain points.
  • Translate complex insights into clear, actionable recommendations for innovation and product development strategies.
  • Continuously monitor and analyze competitive landscape and market trends to identify opportunities for strategic differentiation.
• Budget Management:
  • Develop and rigorously manage the innovation budget for the Biscuits category, ensuring optimal allocation of resources to maximize return on investment (ROI).
  • Track and report on innovation expenditures, highlighting variances and identifying opportunities for cost optimization.

2. Qualifications

• Experience:
  • Minimum of 5 years of dedicated experience in innovation management within the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG/CPG) industry.
  • Approximately 20 years of progressive experience in marketing or closely related functions, with a strong focus on brand management, product development, or market research.
• Skills:
  • Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and influence diverse cross-functional teams and senior management stakeholders.
  • Strategic Thinking: Proven capability to develop and execute robust innovation strategies that are meticulously aligned with broader business objectives.
  • Analytical Acumen: Strong analytical skills, adept at interpreting complex data and insights to inform sound decision-making.
  • Communication: Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, fostering effective collaboration.
  • Project Management: Proven ability to skillfully manage multiple projects concurrently, effectively prioritizing tasks and deliverables.
  • Technical Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
  • Language: Fluency in English (business proficiency) is mandatory.

3. Competencies

• Consumer-Centricity: Possesses a profound understanding of consumer needs and preferences, coupled with a genuine passion for creating products that consistently delight consumers.
• Innovation Mindset: Exhibits a creative and entrepreneurial mindset, a passion for fostering innovation, and a willingness to constructively challenge the status quo.
• Results-Orientation: Demonstrates a strong focus on achieving measurable results and driving sustainable growth through strategic innovation.
• Stakeholder Management: Excellent stakeholder management abilities, adept at building strong relationships and influencing key decision-makers across various levels.
• Collaboration: Capable of working highly effectively within a collaborative environment, cultivating robust relationships with cross-functional teams.

No Relocation support available
Business Unit Summary
Wacam is Mondelēz International's Latin America presence with more the 1700 wonderful people proudly representing a diversity of cultures and nationalities. Wacam includes 13 countries: Colombia, Ecuador, Perú, Chile, Bolivia, Panamá, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemela, El Salvador, República Dominicana, Puerto Rico. We make and distribute our global brands and local jewels such as Field, Club Social to over 190 million consumers.
Mondelēz International is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or preference, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
At Mondelez International we work under a hybrid model, in which our offices at WACAM offer us a space for connection, collaboration and co-creation, with attendance being subject to the needs of the teams themselves and/or the business.
Where permitted by internal policies and local laws, new hires are required to be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment by their date of hire, unless they are granted a medical accommodation.
Job Type
Regular
Digital Strategy & Innovation
Technology & Digital