Head of Global Innovation

ROLE: Head of Global Innovation

BUSINESS: Stoli Group Global

DEPARTMENT: Global Marketing

LOCATION: Europe, Hybrid

REPORTING TO: Global CMO

ROLE

Stoli Group has an incredible portfolio of brands, including our premium vodka Stoli & an amazing stable of ultra-premium wine & spirit brands. The ultra-premium category is the fastest growing & most dynamic part of the beverage alcohol market. Stoli Group is looking to reshape the market landscape by becoming the global leader in exceptional adult beverages.

With a huge growth ambition to be the ultra-premium brands of reference in spirits industry, we are looking for a superstar Head of Global Innovation who can work to deliver our plan today, whilst building the foundations for a brilliant future. Want to get on a rocket ship establishing and growing these brands across the globe?

Read on…. To take on this mission we are looking for a truly outstanding person- to fit the bill you will need to be ….

• A citizen of the world: you will have an exceptional external radar, be tuned into global and local trends with a keen eye on the future.
• Structured: You need to be able to inspire people, but keep things simple, succinct, consistent (and fun!).
• A creative: you will be able to demonstrate incredible creative thinking that disrupts and delights, but which responds to our strategy and insight.
• A get stuff done person: we need people who can make things happen quickly and execute brilliantly in the everyday.
• Self-starter: you will have a proven track record of working well in ambiguous and rapidly changing environments. The ability to define a way forward, execute and anticipate the challenges along the way is essential.
• Influencer: be comfortable at driving your agenda across multiple stakeholders (internal and external) and counties.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

Innovation Leadership:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive innovation strategy that aligns with the company’s vision and goals. Foster a culture of open innovation and creativity within the organization.

Product Innovation:

• New Product Development: Lead the ideation, development, and commercialization of innovative wine and spirits products. This includes introducing new flavor profiles, exploring novel categories, and creating brand extensions to diversify the product portfolio.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure that the innovation process maintains rigorous quality standards to uphold the company’s reputation for exceptional beverages. Implement quality control measures at every stage of development.
• Sustainability Initiatives: Integrate sustainability and eco-friendly practices into product development, considering the environmental impact of packaging and sourcing.

Marketing Innovation:

• Consumer-Centric Approach: Drive marketing innovation by understanding consumer preferences and market trends. Help driving Digital Transformation. Explore cutting-edge technologies like AR/VR experiences, AI-driven marketing, and data-driven personalization.

Open Innovation:

• External Collaborations: Actively seek partnerships and collaborations with external experts, consultants, industry authorities, and key opinion formers to infuse fresh perspectives into the innovation process.
• Open Innovation Platforms: Establish platforms or forums for open innovation, where internal and external stakeholders can contribute ideas and insights. Engage with the broader ecosystem to identify emerging trends and opportunities.
• Innovation Challenges: Organize innovation challenges and competitions to tap into the collective creativity of a diverse range of contributors.

Managing Innovation Funnel and Stage Gating Process:

• Idea Generation and Screening: Set up a systematic approach for idea generation and screening to evaluate the feasibility and alignment of new concepts with the company’s strategic objectives.
• Stage Gating: Implement a stage gating process to manage and monitor the progress of innovation projects.
• Resource Allocation: Efficiently allocate resources, including budget and manpower, based on the stage gating process. Ensure that the most promising projects receive the necessary support.
• Risk Assessment: Conduct thorough risk assessments at each stage, identifying potential roadblocks and developing contingency plans.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Foster collaboration among cross-functional teams to facilitate communication and coordination throughout the innovation process. This may include R&D, marketing, legal, and supply chain teams.
• Measuring Success: Define key performance indicators (KPIs) for each stage and the overall innovation process. Regularly review and assess progress to ensure alignment with business goals.

Brand Portfolio Strategy:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to shape the company’s brand portfolio strategy. Optimize the portfolio by identifying growth opportunities, entering new categories, and discontinuing underperforming brands.

CAPABILITIES

• High energy and ambition to achieve successful outcomes and high standards
• Ability to think big and act in pragmatic steps to get us there.
• Practical, pragmatic, results-driven, outcome-oriented, efficient operator, good multi-tasker
• Actively spot opportunities or issues and identify which are urgent and important
• Seeks simplicity and commonality ensuring that Innovation strategies are applied widely, consistently and effectively.
• Sensitive to a diverse range of audiences; able to adapt quickly and make it look effortless.
• Strong presentation skills across materials (data visualization, inspiring decks, multi-media) and delivery
• Ability to multitask and adhere to deadlines

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, with a preference for advanced degrees in business, marketing, or innovation-related disciplines.
• A minimum of 15 years of experience in product and marketing innovation within the wine & spirits industry, with a strong track record of driving successful brand extensions and innovations.
• Proven experience in managing cross-functional teams and inspiring a culture of innovation & brand portfolio management.
• Strong market and consumer insights, with a demonstrated ability to turn insights into actionable strategies.
• Exceptional project management skills and the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously through innovation funnel.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with a track record of motivating and mentoring teams.
• Global experience and a deep understanding of international markets and consumer behavior.
• A visionary thinker with a strong passion for staying ahead of industry trends and driving innovation in a competitive market. Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate marketing strategies and initiatives to stakeholders at all levels.
• Global mindset and experience working in diverse cultural and market environments.
• Passion for the spirits industry and a strong affinity for our brand values and vision.

Disclaimer: Stoli Group is an equal opportunity employer that values workforce diversity. By embedding diversity into all aspects of our culture, we maximize the opportunity to achieve sustainable business success. The duties and responsibilities described in the role profile might not be a comprehensive list.