Global Innovation Program Manager

Constantly reinventing yourself is the formula to stay future proof. Their commitment to innovation is one of the most important ingredients to which Jacob Douwe Egberts owes its success. Just as important as innovation is the organisation behind that innovation. The new Global Innovation Program Manager is the driving force behind the programme and portfolio management of JDE’s Innovation & Growth Program. A tough challenge that requires a solid candidate.

About Jacob Douwe Egberts

Anything can happen while drinking a cup of coffee – at Jacobs Douwe Egberts they know all about it. That knowledge inspires the many thousands of employees around the world every day to ensure that everyone can drink the coffee they like. JDE’s brands – Senseo, Douwe Egberts, Moccona, L’Or and Pickwick, to name but a few – are sold in more than 140 countries.

JDE employees are proud of the passionate mindset of the organization, which is always looking to improve their own knowledge and skills. The goal is simple and unabatedly ambitious: a coffee for every cup.  Working at JDE means working in a dynamic, innovative environment where team spirit is paramount: people support each other wherever possible, and successes are always celebrated together. JDE is an extremely ambitious and dynamic organisation in which the will to make an impact is high on the agenda. And what better way to make an impact than through innovation? It is the core business of JDE’s Innovation & Program Delivery Team.

Vacancy: Global Innovation Program Manager

The I&PD Team is responsible for three core areas: project management, programme management and process management. The Global Innovation Program Manager is the driving force behind the JDE Innovation & Growth Portfolio and supports the business – categories and regions – in every possible way towards successful innovation(s). She/he knows exactly when innovations are launched in which market and keeps a close eye on whether the planning is and remains on track. The Global Innovation Program Manager reports directly to the Innovation & Program Delivery Director, Babette Derksen.

The Global Innovation Program Manager focuses on the following areas:

• End-to-end responsibility for the management of the Innovation & Growth Program and the JDE portfolio
• Provide accurate portfolio and programme management reports for the Innovation & Growth Program on a regional, category and global level
• JDE Portfolio & Program Interdependency Management – managing trade-offs between different programs within the organization.
• Managing the In-market Innovation Excellence Program for Retail and Professional

Continuously seeking alignment with the business and other countries is inextricably linked to the role, as is maintaining contact with global GMs, Marketing Directors and Global Category Directors. Due to the large, international playing field in which these stakeholders operate, the visibility of the Global Innovation Program Manager is enormous. Career opportunities within the organisation are within the range of possibilities.

The role is greenfield, and expectations are high. In the dynamic period in which the organisation finds itself, the need for excellent programme management has become clear. JDE considers it a key critical capability to continue to make a successful impact in the coming years. This makes the role not only a very challenging one, but also one that unmistakably requires a heavyweight.

Candidate profile

The ideal candidate is a high potential with a proven track record in programme management. Someone with the presence and skills of a leader, who is always on the lookout for continuous improvement and is also highly skilled in the field of stakeholder management. A sharp analytical and strategic mind that also has sufficient strength and persuasiveness to be able to seamlessly shift gears from a plan to its implementation.

• 10+ years of work experience, preferably proportional number of years in consultancy and business – ideally in a matrix organisation
• Experience or affinity with FMCG
• Strong analytical and communication skills
• Excellent command of the English language

Jacob Douwe Egberts works with Top of Minds to fill this vacancy.
Contact Catherine Visch at catherine@topofminds.com for more information.