Innovation Project Lead

Job Title: Innovation Project Lead
Department: Innovation / Marketing / R&D / Supply Chain
Location: Katowice (Hybrid, 2-3 days a week in the office)
Reports To: Innovation & Portfolio Manager Director
Type: Full-Time

Role Overview

The Innovation Project Manager will lead and coordinate end-to-end delivery of New Product Development (NPD) projects — from early-stage planning to launch. This includes managing timelines, ensuring resource alignment, coordinating stakeholders, and driving cross-functional execution to deliver innovation to market on time and in full. Be custodian of the European Portfolio through data collection, analyses to support and deliver Supply Chain strategies, portfolio complexity reduction, network optimization and Business Waste avoidance.

Key Responsibilities

Project Initiation

• Create the Project Timeline: Develop detailed project schedules aligned with trade windows and gate milestones.
• Estimate Resource Needs: Collaborate with Marketing, R&D, and other stakeholders to assess and secure the right capabilities and resources using available resource planning tools.
• Determine Lead Times: Identify lead times for each phase and task by working backwards from key target dates.
• Establish the Critical Chain: Map out dependencies and define the longest path of activities influencing project duration.
• Set Hard Deadlines: Ensure timely delivery of each phase in line with gate reviews and launch readiness requirements.
• Capture Cross-Project Dependencies: Maintain visibility of other initiatives to manage resource synergies and avoid conflicts.

Ongoing Project Management

• Manage Project Timelines: Monitor progress against plan; flag deviations or delays early and drive corrective actions.
• Weekly Project Drumbeats: Lead structured update meetings, share agendas and minutes, and follow up on actions with clear accountability.
• Accountability: Ensure that all team members deliver their commitments; escalate delays where needed.
• Resource Management: Optimize allocation of cross-functional resources based on project scope and complexity.
• Risk Assessment: Drive risk identification and mitigation, including regulatory and technical evaluations.
• Problem Resolution: Act as the primary point of contact for issue resolution during the project lifecycle.
• Drive Collaboration: Facilitate strong cooperation between departments to ensure integrated execution.
• Innovation Boards: Prepare and support updates for internal governance bodies (e.g., Global, Regional or Local Innovation Boards).

• Critically assess business cases by challenging underlying assumptions to ensure sound decision-making.
• Manage portfolio complexity by challenging product changes, drive harmonisation, adhering to MOQs, minimizing obsoletes and tracking portfolio health through regular analysis.

Qualifications & Experience

• University degree in Business, Engineering, Marketing, or a relevant field.
• 4–7 years of project management experience in FMCG or a similarly fast-paced industry.
• Experience managing cross-functional NPD or innovation projects from concept to launch.
• Familiarity with innovation processes, stage-gate models, and launch readiness frameworks.
• Solid understanding of supply chain and commercial implications in product delivery.

Key Skills & Competencies

We are looking for a proactive and independent professional with strong business ownership and a passion for driving innovation and change. The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build strong stakeholder relationships.
• Strong organizational, planning, and project management capabilities, able to manage multiple priorities under pressure.
• A strategic mindset with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, comfortable with both big-picture thinking and operational detail.
• Proven leadership, with the ability to work independently, identify opportunities, and drive initiatives forward.
• A natural networker who thrives in cross-functional environments and embraces continuous improvement.
• Willingness to travel occasionally within Europe.