CMK Innovation Lead

JOB TITLE:                   Consumer & Market Knowledge Business Partner, Innovation

REPORTS TO:               Global Senior Director, Consumer & Market Knowledge

LOCATION:                   Dublin, Ireland

Job Overview:

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Innovation Insights Partner to join our global team. In this pivotal role, you will drive the development and execution of consumer and market knowledge across multiple regions to fuel the company’s innovation pipeline.  The work will influence product development, innovation strategies, and go-to-market decisions, helping to shape the company’s future portfolio. This is a high-impact role, where you will leverage your expertise in research, insights and analytics to provide actionable recommendations at the highest levels of the organization.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Consumer & Market Insights: Lead global consumer and market research to identify key behaviors, preferences, and trends, driving the innovation pipeline. Collaborate with cross-functional teams (R&D, marketing, product development) to integrate insights into the innovation process and provide strategic recommendations for new products and category expansions. Validate concepts through consumer testing and demand studies.
• Innovation Development & Optimization: Drive concept and product testing through all innovation stages. Set KPIs (e.g., adoption rates, consumer satisfaction) to measure success, and conduct post-launch evaluations to optimize performance.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Partner with key stakeholders across innovation, R&D, and markets to share insights and ensure they inform strategic decision-making.
• Executive-Level Insights: Provide senior leadership with actionable data-driven insights, translating complex research into clear strategies and innovation roadmaps.
• Advanced Analytics & Reporting: Lead advanced analytics to uncover consumer insights and predict business trends. Synthesize large datasets into high-level recommendations for leadership.
• Thought Leadership & External Engagement: Represent the company at industry forums, conferences, and academic collaborations. Build relationships with research agencies and academic institutions to stay ahead of trends and access cutting-edge methodologies.
• Methodology Development & Application: Ensure the efficient implementation of BIC methodologies across the enterprise, scaling Ornua results.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• MBA or Master’s in Marketing, Business, Consumer Behavior, or related fields
• Significant, demonstrable experience in consumer insights, market research, or innovation within the dairy or broader CPG industry.
• Proven success in driving insights-led innovation in dairy categories and expanding into new markets or adjacent categories.

• Expertise in research tools and methodologies (e.g., Nielsen, IRI, sensory panels, ethnography, conjoint analysis).  Behavior Science & / or cultural understanding is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of the dairy industry, including consumer preferences, regulatory considerations, and market dynamics.
• Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to translate data into compelling insights and actionable recommendations.
• Strong communication and storytelling skills, with experience influencing senior leadership.
• Proficiency in managing cross-functional teams across regions and cultures.

KEY COMPETENCIES

Ownership: Drives results, profitability, and sustainable growth through a culture of empowerment.

Working Together: Creates and reinforces a collaborative culture within and across the organisation and sets up external strategic alliances/partnerships.

Expertise: As a functional subject matter expert or strategic lead, applies effective professional skill, analysis, problem solving, decision making, prioritising, planning, and reviewing.

Curiosity: Creates an environment for innovative thinking; rewards and recognises creative thinking and continuous improvement.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS THURSDAY 19TH JUNE