Reports to: Innovation Strategy & Process Lead

Scope: Global

Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Terms & Conditions: Full Time
 

With the creation of the new Ice Cream company, The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC) has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to set a bold new direction for its innovation strategy — one that extends beyond ice cream into the broader world of snacking.

To deliver growth, TMICC must strengthen its ability to drive market-making innovations that attract new users and open new occasions, as well as game-changing breakthroughs that unlock new categories. This requires building the right capabilities, governance, and culture so innovation becomes a systemic strength across the business.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Innovation Excellence Manager is responsible for building & deploying the Innovation & Growth Strategy, together with shaping and embedding the TMICC way of innovating, from Insight to Impact.  The Innovation & Growth strategy needs to be reflected in how the markets build & shape their 12Q Innovation plans, that are reflected in terms of activities within the Annual Integrated Business Planning cycle. The Ways of working ensures processes, frameworks, and capabilities are effective and well embedded across BUs, enabling translating these Innovation plans into successful market launches. In essence, the role looks at E2E Innovation, right from leading the development of innovation strategy, to the Innovation governance and capability building programmes across TMICC.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Innovation Strategy & Deployment

  • Co‑create the TMICC innovation strategy with cross functional teams, BUs and brands,

  • Ensure Innovation Strategy is deployed and reflected in 12Q Innovation funnel by BUs and Global Brand teams, embedding it into IBP plans

  • Drive link between Innovation Strategy and Technology platform teams

  • Lead the ICIF, driving the cross IC innovation forum, ensuring the right initiatives are brought to the forum for decision moments, visibility and amplification

  • Lead the Game Changer Accelerator programme, establishing governance and systemic interventions to enable project teams to bring game‑changing innovations successfully to market

• Innovation Governance & Capability Building

  • Own the Insight to Impact framework, evolving it to meet the needs of innovators and Investor Boards, ensuring they are equipped with the right tools and capabilities to deliver successful innovations

  • Design and deliver a new Innovation Capability Building Programme to embed systemic innovation skills

  • Lead the cross‑BU and cross‑functional Innovation Excellence Network (Marketing, RDI, CMI, Finance), identifying and removing systemic blockers and sharing best practices internally and externally

  • Make clear this is not a one off deliveable, but an ongoing – preparing for wuarterly meetings, adapting,

• Innovation Narrative

  • Act as the key point of contact for cross‑BU/TMICC innovation narratives and initiatives

  • Provide input to Investor Relations (quarterly results, ad hoc events), Audit (annual innovation reviews), and Board meetings as required

WHAT YOU BRING

• Proven Category strategy or Innovation strategy experience, preferably in FMCG

• Proven experience leading innovation projects, with strong grasp of processes, systems, and business requirements

• Expertise in change management and a passion for transforming innovation practices

• Strong analytical skills and systems thinker who leverages consumer insights to shape effective strategies

• Compelling communicator and skilled relationship builder across diverse stakeholders

• Purposeful leader able to build, motivate, and develop teams without formal hierarchy

• Entrepreneurial, learn‑through‑doing mindset with agility to adapt quickly

• Expertise in data analytics, digital tools, and emerging technologies to drive innovation

Key Partners

• Business Unit Innovation Leads

• Investor Boards

• Cross‑functional innovation teams (Marketing, RDI, CMI, Finance, SC etc)

• Audit and Investor Relations teams

• External innovation networks and partners

#TMICC

ABOUT THE MAGNUM ICE CREAM COMPANY:

With 19.000 expert ice cream colleagues and iconic brands like Wall’s, Cornetto and Ben & Jerry’s, loved in 76 countries, we are the world’s largest Ice Cream company leading the industry We have been taking pleasure seriously for more than 100 years, serving happiness with every lick or scoop of ice cream for generations.

The Magnum Ice Cream Company (formerly part of Unilever) is all about growth. Growing our business. Growing our customers’ businesses. Growing our people’s careers. Growth begins with empowerment. So we free our people to be innovative, responsible entrepreneurs, driven and equipped to give our consumers more amazing products and unforgettable moments – and having fun doing it. Here’s what defines success in our organization :

· We are all about growth

· We operate with speed and simplicity

· We win together with fun

· We boldly innovate to disrupt our industry

· We care and challenge

· We are experts in the Ice Cream Category

ARE YOU EXCITED TO CRAFT THE ICE CREAM FUTURE?

Please apply online and do not forget to upload your CV. Your application will be reviewed against the requirements, and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date, with an update on the status of your application.