Front End Innovation Specialist

Magnera's purpose is to better the world with new possibilities made real. For more than 160 years, the originating companies have delivered the material solutions their partners need to thrive. Through economic upheaval, global pandemics and changing end-user needs, they have consistently found ways to solve problems and exceed expectations. By bringing together these legacy companies, the distinct scale and comprehensive portfolio of products will bring customers more materials and choices. With a combined legacy of resilience, Magnera will build personal partnerships that withstand an ever-changing world.

The Front End Innovation Specialist plays a key role in identifying and validating future growth opportunities through a hypothesis-driven innovation approach.

The role focuses on exploring emerging technologies, translating observations into testable hypotheses, reducing uncertainty through experimentation, and transforming promising ideas into validated innovation opportunities.

Working at the intersection of technology, consumer insights, and market needs, this position contributes to the discovery and development of disruptive innovation platforms that can shape the future of the business.

Success in this role is measured not only by the concepts generated, but by the ability to identify critical uncertainties, generate actionable learning through experimentation, and support informed innovation decisions.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Identify and explore emerging technologies, scientific advances, market signals, and innovation opportunities.

· Translate observations, insights, and unmet needs into learning hypotheses and validation plans.

· Identify critical uncertainties and design experiments to rapidly generate evidence and accelerate decision-making.

· Build, coordinate, and test prototypes to validate assumptions and accelerate learning.

· Lead learning cycles following an evidence-based, hypothesis-driven innovation process.

· Analyze experimental results and translate findings into actionable insights, recommendations, and next steps.

· Collaborate with consumers, customers, suppliers, startups, universities, and technology centers to generate insights and identify opportunities.

· Facilitate ideation, co-creation, and innovation workshops.

· Lead selected disruptive innovation projects and actively contribute to others.

· Support the identification and development of future growth opportunities beyond today's business.

· Communicate learnings, findings, and recommendations to project teams and leadership.

· Travel: approximately 15-25%.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

· Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Industrial or Product Design, Biomedical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline. Additional education or experience in innovation, entrepreneurship, or venture development is a plus.

· Typically, 3-7 years of experience in innovation, product development, engineering, technology development, startups, research organizations, or similar fast-learning environments.

· Demonstrated experience in experimentation, prototyping, structured problem solving, and learning through iterative testing.

· Experience with workshop facilitation, jobs-to-be-done, design thinking, lean startup, or similar innovation methodologies are considered a plus.

· Industry experience in nonwovens, materials, hygiene, medical, or related sectors is beneficial, but mindset, curiosity, and experimentation capabilities are valued above specific industry experience.