Innovation Project Manager (m/f/d)

Innovation Management | Bielefeld | Start date: as soon as possible | Full Time | Permanent

Since our beginnings at Dr. Oetker, we have been breaking new ground. With pizza, cake, and desserts, as well as digital platforms and services – quality and an innovative spirit set us apart.

What awaits you? It's up to you! At Dr. Oetker, you can actively shape the future – both yours and ours. We want to be part of something bigger. Don't you?

As part of Innovation Management, you help turn promising ideas into well-structured innovation projects. Your focus is on project management in the early stages of our Idea-to-Launch process, supporting the structured development and progression of ideas in Stage 1. You help orchestrate our yearly innovation rhythm, connect the right functions and markets, and create the structure, transparency and momentum needed to move ideas towards clear decisions and project initiation. You also help make innovation visible across the organization by coordinating key innovation events and showcases.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
• You will support the management and progression of innovation ideas in Stage 1, helping teams structure ideas, define next steps and prepare them for evaluation and project approval.
• You will coordinate and facilitate key activities within our yearly innovation rhythm, including ideation, idea development, cross-functional alignment, screening and preparation of Project Requests.
• You will organize and coordinate our yearly Innovation Fairs and internal innovation showcases, bringing together innovation initiatives from across the organization and creating visibility, exchange and engagement around the innovation portfolio.
• For selected innovation and renovation projects, you will support or lead the project management from project initiation through the Idea-to-Launch process towards market launch, depending on project complexity and needs
• Your responsibilities include coordinating cross-functional and cross-country teams from areas such as marketing, R&D, SCM, production and procurement. You ensure that timelines, quality standards and project deliverables are reliably met.
• In addition, you will be responsible for creating and maintaining project plans and risk and action plans. You will also organize and facilitate project meetings, including decision-making and action item tracking.
• Moreover, you will be responsible for maintaining data in relevant Stage-Gate tools and systems. Together with Junior Project Managers, you will share your expertise and guide them in their project work.
• As needed, you will prepare decision-making materials for portfolio and Steering Committee Meetings. You will develop recommendations for prioritizing and sequencing projects and support the further development of the innovation process by sharing best practices.

WHAT YOU BRING
• You have a bachelor’s or master’s degree. In addition, you have 3 to 5 years of experience in project management, ideally in innovation or product development projects.
• You have experience in early-stage innovation or innovation funnel management and understand how to create the right structure, governance and ways of working to move ideas from initial opportunity through evaluation and into project initiation.
• You are certainly proficient in the I2L process and Stage-Gate methodology. You have a solid understanding of structured project management.
• You stand out thanks to your strong communication and coordination skills. A pronounced hands-on mentality sets you apart.
• You are also team-oriented and assertive. A strong sense of responsibility round out your working style.
• Ideally, you have already gained experience with portfolio planning or reporting tools such as Clarity, Power BI or Excel dashboards. You also bring an analytical understanding of economic relationships in the context of innovation.
• Excellent English language skills would complete your profile. You are also willing to travel frequently.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU
• Attractive remuneration
• Flexible work models & mobile work
• 30 days of vacation plus special vacation at Christmas & New Year´s Eve
• Onboarding and professional development opportunities
• Excellent employee restaurant and discounts in the Dr. Oetker Shop
• Events and celebrations
• Sports, health and fitness offers
• Pension plan, Sabbatical and JobRad
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP), this offers professional support in all situations, such as assistance with childcare, finding au pairs, and advice on care services
• Daycare cooperation for children, holiday childcare and laundry service