Head of Innovation Strategy

Head of Innovation Strategy

Job description

Why we are here

Tony’s Chocolonely is committed to ending exploitation in cocoa. We are an impact company that makes chocolate, not a chocolate company that makes impact. With incredibly tasty chocolate, we lead by example, demonstrating that ethical practices and success can go hand in hand. Through Tony's Open Chain (TOC), mission allies like Albert Heijn, Ben & Jerry's, Jokolade, and Aldi have embraced a fairer, more transparent supply chain for their chocolate too.

What you will do

We are seeking a new Head of Innovation Strategy to lead the global strategy and roadmap of our chocolate product portfolio across all markets and channels. With your leadership, Tony’s Chocolonely will deliver tasty chocolate that consumers love, in great packs, on budget, and at the right time. You will lead the team to use consumer insights, category data, and trend analysis to identify long-term growth platforms. Using these to envision the future product portfolio, engaging with the local market teams to get their input, and then working with the project management and development teams to create the roadmap of projects to deliver this vision. For each of these projects (both ongoing and new), you and your team will act as the internal product ambassador and ensure outstanding product launches across all markets by collaborating closely with a lot of stakeholders across the organization. You will lead and coach a team of 4 product innovation and renovation professionals and report to the Chief Product Officer.

All wrapped up, in this role you will

• Identify consumer-led platforms for growth, by leveraging consumer insights, category data, and trend analysis across markets.
• Lead the vision for a product portfolio of the future: Together with the team, review the current portfolio and create a vision for the future across markets, channels, and segments.
• Ensure continuous product ideation and renovation: Ensure there’s a robust funnel of new product ideas that surprise and charm consumers, balancing science and art. You know what good looks like, set the approach, and bring people along.
• Work closely with the broader product team to ensure the product roadmap is brought to life, accepting where and if compromises, trade-offs, or changes need to be made, but keeping the golden thread of the ideas alive.
• Lead the team by coaching and empowering, fostering an environment of consumer-first thinking.
• Inspire and work closely with the brand team on packaging design and launch campaigns.
• Foster strong relationships with markets and ensure their unique market conditions, consumer preferences, and trends are heard and considered.

Job requirements

Our New Flavour

• Product or innovation strategy creation and execution experience in the food and beverage industry.
• Product marketing experience: You have launched or been involved in product launches and understand the process from ideation to store shelf.
• Passion for brilliance and innovation balanced with respect for reality and potential financial and manufacturing constraints.
• P&L literacy.
• Strong business understanding and strategic mindset: Ability to see the big picture, but not afraid to roll up your sleeves to ensure brilliant execution.
• Previous leadership experience: Strong leadership & coaching experience and experience in building high performing, engaged, and happy teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and stakeholder management skills: Ability to work with and influence colleagues and decision-making at all levels of the organization.
• Eagerness to work in a fast-paced scaleup environment and deal smoothly with the changes that come with a growing company.
• Data-driven decision-maker who utilizes data to identify areas of improvement and make objective, informed decisions.
• Believe wholeheartedly in Tony’s purpose.
• We are all about being more in person than apart; this means we offer flexibility but see each other in the Amsterdam office on average 3 days a week. More is fine too!

Our benefits (the icing on the cake)

At Tony's you will get the opportunity to be part of something extraordinary; first and foremost, by making real impact in the world but also enjoying the nice benefits we provide as you help us succeed. We’re dedicated to enabling all Tonys to grow and develop their careers and therefore we offer training programs, regular feedback cycles, coaching and a generous L&D budget. We also offer a wide range of additional benefits, including a luxurious vega-lunch, company bonus, minimum of 28 holidays, inspirational team updates, unforgettable events like the Tony's Carnaval and unlimited chocolate. But we also know chocolate won’t cover the bills, so we’ve made sure your salary is just as rewarding, for this role that means a salary between 87 and 109k on a yearly basis, including holiday pay.

Sounds like you?

Are you passionate about making a difference in the world? Look no further! If you're ready to take the chocolate industry to new heights with us, we'd love to hear from you! Please send your direct application, no agencies. We can't wait to hear from you!

At Tony's we are convinced that diversity of thought, background and perspectives will make us stronger (...just like the different flavours of our chocolate assortment). Our mission is founded on principles of equity and justice, and we are actively seeking candidates who bring new perspectives and life experiences, especially from underrepresented groups. We look forward to your application!