Innovation Cocept Development Manager, LA&C

Context: Latin America & Caribbean is one of the most exciting growth regions in Diageo and Innovation is at the forefront of leading that growth.  Placing ‘Innovation at the heart of every business’ is a critical part of the LAC regional growth agenda. Our F13 plan is to grow NSV by +75% and our Stand for F13-F16 is to deliver one in every two pounds of growth for the region. This is an exciting challenge that carries both expectation and large responsibility. The LA&C innovation Team is led by the LA&C  Innovation Director and a team of 4 x Regional Innovation Marketing Managers, 3x Innovation Managers, and other functional leads (CP, SIM, Finance, Technical, Design, Brand change, Procurement). The commercialization teams report directly into the markets in every cluster. 3 of the Regional Innovation Marketing Manager roles focus on strategy and concept development and are located in key breakthrough markets of PUB, Andean and Mexico.  

Purpose of Role: this role manages the delivery of key innovation projects identified in the regional innovation breakthrough strategy and LAC innovation pipeline. The agenda is challenging and will be achieved by the creation of highly differentiated and superior brands, products and delivery systems, which satisfy our customers’ and consumers’ current and future needs. A key part of this role is functional skills in innovation and capability to proactively manage cross-functional teams in the delivery of key projects. Focuses on the ‘front-end’ of the innovation process – project managing the development of concepts and products at pace through the early stages of the staged gate process in partnership with broad multi-functional teams and agencies up until Gate 3 when it will be led by the IMC team. The successful candidate will project manage and support some of the most important and strategic/Game-Changing projects for the region, driving and implementing projects that can deliver our F16 ambition in the region. This role reports into the regional innovation marketing manager who covers WestLAC and Mexico – role would be focused primarily on West LAC.  The role will be based within WestLAC being Buenos Aires and Costa Rica preferred locations.

Financial Responsibility: Management of project budgets under the direction of the Innovation Marketing Manager.       

Leadership Responsibilities: leads & manages projects at pace through the early stages of concept development in a way that sets them up for success when handed over to an IMC team at Gate 3.Project leadership. Interacts and influences the broader innovation community as well as IMCs Exec and marketing teams. Develops own and others’ skills in strategic opportunity identification, concept development, insight generating and consumer planning & research. 

Top 3-5 Accountabilities:

·         To lead and manage the implementation of key projects from G0-G3 with rigour, confidence and pace.

·         To develop/support/manage ideation & concept development with flair within regional innovation projects.

·         To support/manage concept development training of innovation/marketing community across the region.

Qualifications and Experience Required:

·         5+ years work experience in innovation or marketing in Diageo or major CPG company; min. 2 years at manager level.

·         Bachelors Degree in Marketing or related field.

·         Fluent in English and Spanish is a must.

·         Travel required and estimate at 40%

·         Proven ability/track record in: Project management / delivering successful projects by leading a cross-functional team. Developing ideas that have impacted business delivery. Innovation/marketing delivery. Influencing peers and executive level in both a local & regional context. Experience of consumer insight and concept/marketing development. Ability to think strategically and flex effectively between strategy and operational detail/implementation. Passion, drive & focus.     

Innovation Cocept Development Manager, LA&C