Product Innovation Manager

Head of Innovation & Product Management | The New Originals Company

Location: Vienna, Austria, or other Central European location | Full-Time | Leadership PositionShape the Future of Plant-Based FoodNew Originals Company (NOC) is a fast-growing European food company specializing in tofu and natural plant-based foods, with leading brands, a strong Private Label business, and a growing presence across European markets.We are building a leading European food company – in an exciting category with significant potential ahead of it.

As we scale across our key markets and enter new ones, we are looking for a strategic, commercially minded and inspiring Head of Innovation & Product Management to help shape what comes next: for our products, our brands, our category – and our organization.As part of the Marketing Leadership Team, reporting to the Marketing Director, you will lead our newly established Innovation & Product Management function and a team of seven across Innovation, Pipeline & Process Management and Product Management.This is a role for someone who enjoys building, not just managing. You will shape our innovation strategy and portfolio across Europe, turn consumer and commercial opportunities into winning products, and help evolve how we work as NOC grows from an entrepreneurial business into a more mature international organization.Your ResponsibilitiesShape NOC’s innovation strategy and multi-year portfolio roadmap across brands, categories and European markets – identifying opportunities that drive growth and shape the plant-based category.Build a winning, scalable portfolio across Branded and Private Label, with clear strategic roles, differentiation and quality principles.Turn consumer, customer and market opportunities into successful innovation, working closely with Marketing, Sales, R&D and Manufacturing from insight to commercialization.Drive innovation excellence and speed-to-market, continuously evolving our NPD/EPD pipeline, processes and governance as the organization matures.Scale innovation across Europe, supporting growth in established markets and entry into new ones while collaborating across our European markets and manufacturing network.Build, lead and develop a high-performing, multicultural team, creating a culture of ownership, curiosity, collaboration and growth.Help shape NOC for its next stage of growth – building the capabilities, ways of working and organizational structures needed to scale, while representing Innovation & Product Management in strategic business planning and senior leadership discussions.Your ProfileWe are looking for an experienced innovation and product leader who combines strategic thinking, commercial instinct and the drive to build.You bring:Strong experience in Innovation, Product, Portfolio or Category Management, ideally within FMCG, food or a comparable consumer business.A proven ability to turn consumer and market opportunities into successful products, portfolios and commercial growth.Strong expertise in innovation management and commercialization, from portfolio choices and development processes through to successful market launch.International and cross-functional experience, with the ability to collaborate effectively across markets, cultures, Marketing, Sales, R&D and Manufacturing.Strong leadership skills and a passion for developing people, building capable teams and creating ownership.A combination of strategic and analytical thinking with entrepreneurial pragmatism, curiosity and speed – comfortable navigating change and ambiguity.The ambition to build beyond your own function and help shape a growing organization, combined with strong stakeholder communication, fluent English and flexibility to travel across Europe.What Success Looks LikeYou will make an impact by:Delivering a focused, value-creating innovation pipeline with clear priorities and a strong contribution to growth.Successfully launching and scaling winning products across European markets, including new market entries.Building a clear, differentiated and actively managed portfolio across brands, categories and Private Label.Increasing speed and quality of innovation execution, with effective processes, clear decision-making and stronger cross-functional ownership.Building a high-performing team and scalable Innovation & Product Management function that strengthens NOC’s capabilities as the organization grows.What We OfferReal impact on a growing European food category – shaping products, portfolios and how consumers experience plant-based food.A high-impact leadership role with significant influence on NOC’s innovation agenda, strategic choices and future growth.European scope from day one – working across key markets, new market entries and our international manufacturing network.The opportunity to build, not just manage – shaping a newly established function and helping evolve NOC as the organization scales and matures.A multicultural, entrepreneurial environment with close collaboration across countries, functions and senior leadership.Significant personal growth as a leader – broadening your impact, developing your team and growing alongside the business.An attractive compensation package starting at €90,000 gross annually plus performance-based bonus, with significant overpayment possible depending on experience and achievements.Ready to Make an Impact?If you are excited by the opportunity to build products, shape a category, develop people and help scale a European business, we would love to hear from you.Join The New Originals Company and help shape the next chapter of plant-based food in Europe.