Innovation Manager – Feminine Care
Are you passionate about turning consumer insights into meaningful innovation? At Essity, we're looking for an experienced Innovation Manager to shape the future of our Feminine Care portfolio across Australia and New Zealand.
In this exciting role, you'll lead the innovation agenda for trusted brands including Libra and TOM Organic, identifying growth opportunities and bringing commercially successful innovations to market. Working closely with global and local teams, you'll play a pivotal role in delivering products and solutions that improve people's everyday well-being.
About the Role
As Innovation Manager – Feminine Care, you will be responsible for leading the regional innovation strategy and pipeline, ensuring it aligns with brand ambitions, consumer needs and business objectives. Acting as the key connection between Global Innovation, Brand, R&D, Supply Chain, Sales and Finance teams, you'll translate strategic priorities into impactful, locally relevant innovations.
This is a highly collaborative role that combines strategic thinking with hands-on project leadership, offering the opportunity to influence both long-term growth and day-to-day execution across Australia and New Zealand.
What You Will Do
Lead the regional innovation roadmap and develop a balanced pipeline of growth opportunities.
Translate global innovation strategies and consumer insights into commercially viable initiatives for local markets.
Partner with Global Innovation teams to assess, adapt and launch innovation projects across Australia and New Zealand.
Identify emerging consumer trends, market opportunities and unmet needs to support future growth.
Develop robust business cases, including strategic recommendations and commercial assessments.
Lead consumer research, market validation and insight generation to inform decision-making.
Drive end-to-end innovation projects through the Stage & Gate process.
Collaborate closely with Brand, R&D, Supply Chain, Sales and Finance teams to ensure successful project delivery.
Define product propositions, including assortment, packaging, claims and pricing strategies.
Manage project timelines, risks, resources and governance requirements.
Monitor post-launch performance and capture key learnings to strengthen future innovation outcomes.
Influence stakeholders and foster alignment across global and local teams to deliver shared objectives.
Who You Are
You are a commercially minded innovation professional who thrives on bringing new ideas to life. You enjoy working across functions, building strong relationships, and balancing strategic thinking with practical execution.
You will bring:
8+ years' experience in Innovation, Brand Management, New Product Development or a related FMCG environment.
Demonstrated success leading innovation or product development projects from concept through to launch.
Strong commercial acumen, P&L management and the ability to develop compelling business cases.
Experience translating consumer and market insights into actionable growth opportunities.
Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and navigate complex project environments.
Strong project management capabilities with a focus on delivering outcomes.
Proven ability to motivate and influence cross-functional teams and various stakeholders combined with entrepreneurial mindset.
Experience working within global organizations or global-local operating models will be highly regarded.
Australian Citizenship or Permanent Residency with full working rights
What We Can Offer You
Our purpose, Breaking Barriers to Well-Being, provides meaning to everything we do. Join us to improve well-being for people and drive positive change for society and the environment. At Essity, you'll feel valued, empowered to grow, and challenged to achieve business results in a collaborative and open atmosphere.
Innovate for Good | Excel Together | Be You With Us
Skills Required
- 8+ years experience in Innovation, Brand Management, New Product Development, or related FMCG environment
- Demonstrated success leading innovation or product development projects from concept through to launch
- Strong commercial acumen, P&L management and ability to develop compelling business cases
- Experience translating consumer and market insights into actionable growth opportunities
- Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and navigate complex project environments
- Strong project management capabilities, including driving projects through Stage & Gate
- Experience working within global organisations or global-local operating models
- Australian Citizenship or Permanent Residency with full working rights
What We Do
Essity - a globally leading hygiene and health company, breaking barriers to well-being. Our expertise in hygiene and health began with the acquisition of the Swedish company Mölnlycke in 1975, through which our roots stretch back to 1849. Today, our sustainable innovations from globally trusted brands, designed for everybody and every body, care for the well-being of 1 billion people in 150 countries every day. Working at Essity is not just a career but a chance to make the world healthier, safer, and more hygienic. Our barrier breakers innovate for good and contribute to shaping a sustainable future. At Essity, every career is as unique as the individual. We empower employees to excel together and reach their full potential in a winning culture motivated by a powerful purpose. We provide a sustainable work-life based on flexibility for both employees and employers. At Essity, we are committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in everything we do. It is the key to our success in creating an inclusive, collaborative, and caring company culture where you can be you with us. Our purpose of Breaking Barriers to Well-being, is to enable customers and consumers to lead fuller lives at all stages of life. Our leading global brands include TENA, Tork, Actimove, JOBST, Knix, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Modibodi, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, TOM Organic, Vinda and Zewa. Essity has about 36,000 employees. Net sales in 2022 amounted to approximately SEK 156bn (EUR 15bn). The company’s headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. If you want to join a company where dedication to people is powered by innovation, welcome to Essity
