Senior Science & Innovation Manager

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Why Dawn Farms?

We can offer an excellent opportunity to be part of a world-class team, equipping our teams with the knowledge and the necessary skills to achieve their full potential. Innovation is a key ingredient of our success in protecting our market position and keeping our competitive edge. To be truly innovative, we invest in recruiting and developing a highly skilled, ambitious and talented team.

Job Purpose

Dawn Farms is currently seeking for a Science & Innovation Manager to join our Science & Innovation Department to be based in our head offices in Naas, Co. Kildare . This Innovation role will be responsible for driving innovation initiatives and overseeing the strategic implementation of projects within the organisation. This role combines the creative and forward-thinking aspects of the Innovation Lead with the strategic and managerial responsibilities for the Customer teams. This senior leadership role will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure that innovative ideas are effectively executed and aligned with the company's strategic goals.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Customer innovation teams and projects from conception to implementation, ensuring alignment with organisational objectives.
• Develop and execute strategic plans to drive innovation and improve business processes.
• Lead a team of innovation specialists and project managers, providing leadership and guidance to ensure successful project execution.
• Collaborate with various departments to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement.
• Oversee the development and implementation of new products, services, and processes.
• Monitor and evaluate the progress of innovation initiatives, providing regular updates to senior management.
• Foster a culture of innovation within the organisation, encouraging creative thinking and problem-solving.
• Manage budgets and resources for innovation projects, ensuring efficient use of company assets.
• Conduct market research and analysis to identify trends and opportunities for innovation.
• Develop and maintain relationships with external partners, including vendors, industry experts, and academic institutions.
• Provide leadership and guidance to team members, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Innovation Project Success Rate: Percentage of innovation projects successfully completed within the defined scope, time, and budget.
• Time to Market: Average time taken to develop and launch new products, services, or processes from the initial concept stage.
• Employee Engagement in Innovation: Percentage of employees actively participating in innovation initiatives and contributing ideas.
• Customer Satisfaction with New Innovations: Customer feedback and satisfaction ratings for new products, services, or processes introduced.
• Market Share Growth :Increase in market share attributed to the successful implementation of innovative solutions.
• Cost Savings from Innovation: Financial savings achieved through the implementation of innovative processes or solutions.
• Collaboration and Partnership Effectiveness: Quality and impact of relationships with both internal and external partners, including vendors, industry experts, and academic institutions.
• Continuous Improvement Metrics: Number of process improvements and efficiencies gained through innovation initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in Food Science, Innovation Management, or a related field. A masters degree is preferred.
• Proven experience in innovation management, strategic planning, and project management.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire others.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a focus on delivering results.
• Experience in managing budgets and resources for large-scale projects.
• Knowledge of industry trends and best practices in innovation and strategic implementation.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, with a strong focus on continuous improvement.

What we can offer you?

• Annual leave 22 days.
• Pension plan.
• Health insurance scheme.
• Subsidised canteen.
• Employee assistance programme - this programme offers expert wellbeing support 24 hours a day 365 days a year access to counselling, financial information, consumer information, life coaching, health information, autism support, parent coaching, International employee support, all free for you and your family.
• Wellness programme.
• Maternity/Paternity leave benefits.
• Training & Development, Career progression.
• Christmas Savings Scheme.
• Bike to work scheme.