Tata Consumer Product - Associate Director - Innovations

Key Deliverables in this role
Financial Outcomes:

- Building category strategy and growth plan for existing portfolio staples/spices/salt and new category

- Build Masterbrand identity and variant strategy on portfolio.

- Build Innovation funnel and Mid-term plan to deliver i2S targets on Foods.

- Build Packaging design identity on extensions for portfolio.

- Develop Claims roadmap to deliver Superiority on propositions.

- Drive the NPD agenda in line with business priorities - initiatives that will deliver on Innovations targets as a % of turnover

- Leverage different idea generation platforms to identify sizeable compelling ideas for NPD to

deliver growth in the mid-long- term horizon

- Prepare a robust plan for NPD projects with clear milestones, timelines, owners and KPIs; track progress and ensure projects are executed on time and in an agile manner

- Develop the product specifications in consultation with the consumer insights, marketing, sales, packaging and the R&D teams

- Develop the P&L for new launches and business plan for 3 years in consultation with Finance, Category teams and Sales.

- Develop consumer insight based concept product propositions, superior claims, pack format and design, persuasive communication and deliver a sustainable marketing mix
Customer Service:

- Responsible for building a robust marketing mix for Category team to take forward Category understanding, building brand communication assets, building a pitch for Customers, Launch deck for Sales team, promotional plans for first 3 months

- Understand the push-pull dynamics of cross functional working and Manage complexity and simplify decision making
Internal Processes:

- Manage Foods RnD X Innovation forum

- Manage the innovation funnel stage gate process for key projects in line with business KPIs

- Manage the Feasibility forum, Bi-weekly forum and CFT platform for NPD.

- Work closely with cross functional teams to deliver on the strategic pillars of the NPD funnel; drive ownership and accountability across the organization for NPD projects

- Work closely with sales & category teams to see projects through to the market execution

stage

Learning & Innovation:

- Lead the pilot launch for NPD in case of completely new products / brands (not brand extensions) and then successfully transition to marketing team for commercial launch

- Map other Foods businesses and Build a repository of Use cases from Industry best practices

for Foods Innovation funnel.
Critical success factors for the Role:

- 8-10 years of marketing, innovation and brand management experience. Exposure to sales would be an advantage

- Educational Qualification MBA (Major in Marketing preferred)

- Ability to influence senior stakeholders on plans and drive Cross functional teams to deliver projects

- Ability to Demonstrate Marketing thinking and high-quality of crafting to build consumer

centric concepts and superior product mixes based on real need states

- Commercial acumen to be able to efficiently manage the P&L, Foresight for planning ahead and future proofing business plans

- An attitude of Ownership and being self-driven to go beyond the brief and deliver growth despite competitive or internal challenges. Flexibility and agility in adapting to changing business scenarios.
Desirable success factors for the Role:

- 4-5 years experience in innovation function desirable

- Prior experience in working closely with cross functional teams to jointly drive business KPIs