Sr. Manager Innovation Strategy

Eat Well, Live Well. At Ajinomoto Cambrooke, we build careers grounded in helping improve people’s health through nutritional therapies.

Ajinomoto Cambrooke (ACI) was founded by parents looking to develop better solutions for their children with PKU. Over the subsequent 20+ years, we have expanded into additional therapeutic areas with a focus on enjoyable nutrition as a core part of normalizing the life for people living with medical conditions.

Joining ACI means becoming part of a diverse team of talented people who want to build their careers while contributing back to society in a positive way. We seek individuals who bring an entrepreneurial mindset with a bias for action and finding solutions. We provide an environment based in mutual respect and collaboration to support you and give you opportunities to learn and develop.

Join us to find a rewarding work experience that lets you be at your best and have an impact on our patient communities.

The Sr. Manager Innovation Strategy will oversee the ideation and development of the Cambrooke Innovation Strategy. Specifically, this role will help to identify where the company will play in the future including new disease territories, new ingredient solutions and utilization of medical technology to support our patient populations. The role will span from building the pipeline strategy to executing specific projects to bring the strategy to fruition.

The ideal candidate will be able to work autonomously and effectively communicate their vision for the future supported by a robust business case. They will have strong collaborative skills to work with cross functional teams to develop the concepts and build a clear activation and launch plan. The position requires someone with a broad skill set across the innovation landscape from concept generation and validation to project management to commercial activation. A creative mindset with previous work experience that demonstrates their ability to find novel solutions to often complex problems is preferred. The successful candidate will be able to influence others with strong communication skills and be able to ensure alignment across stakeholders.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree required; MBA preferred
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in a Brand Management, Marketing Strategy, and/or Innovation Management role
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in an innovation role
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in Therapeutic Nutrition
• Demonstrated track record of devising sales-enhancing strategies and leading execution.
  
  
  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Proven track record of success in cross functional roles
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Bias for Action and delivering results.
• Entrepreneurial Mindset – able to adapt to their environment and find solutions to complex problems.
• Self-starter who can work independently in a faced paced, dynamic environment.
• Able to work collaboratively in diverse, cross functional teams.
• Strong capabilities in Microsoft Suite – PowerPoint, Excel, Word.
• Familiar with emerging technologies such as AI
• Commitment to the Ajinomoto Cambrooke mission of delivering nutritional solutions to support our patient communities.
  
  
  

WORKING CONDITIONS This position typically works in an office environment, but duties may occasionally need to be performed in the food manufacturing environment that requires the ability to adhere to all GMP, Food Safety, workplace safety and security policies including wearing required personal protective equipment, as well hair net, beard net, etc. as required. Duties may require occasionally needing to visit medical facilities for customer meetings and complying with the requirements of those facilities.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Position requires the ability to lift up to 25 pounds on a regular basis, stand, walk, bend, reach, push, and pull. Ability to use a computer, keyboard, telephone, and other tools required for the role. Ability to work in a seated position for up to 8 hours a day. Duties may require occasionally needing to visit medical facilities for customer meetings and complying with the requirements of those facilities.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• 15 to 25% travel required to attend trade shows, periodic patient events and sales meetings
• Build the Innovation Strategy for Ajinomoto Cambrooke focused on identifying new market opportunities leveraging nutritional solutions or associated medical technology.
• Leverage past experiences to build the Innovation Pipeline, leading execution from ideation through product launch.
• Work with Ajinomoto Innovation Strategy Department to develop a market landscape, monitoring and analyzing industry trends, patient insights and competitive activity as a foundation for the pipeline strategy.
• Define Target product profiles to guide product development and identify key success factors for the projects.
• Develop strong cross functional relationships with Product Development, Marketing, Sales, Medical Affairs, Finance and Operations to ensure alignment with the strategy and a smooth transition to commercial activation.
• Support M&A evaluations of potential acquisitions to accelerate entry into identified new disease territories.
  
  
  

Other duties as assigned.

$124,800 - $147,000

Ajinomoto Cambrooke, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer-Vets/Disabled, committed to a diverse workforce. If you need assistance with completion of an application for employment, please contact Human Resources Department at 978-862-1980.