Global Scent Technology and Innovation Director - Fine Fragrance

Position Overview

The Global Innovation Director Fine Fragrance is responsible for leading, developing and implementing the Innovation strategy in the Fine Fragrance category which will deliver to Go To Market teams the consumer preferred fragrance solutions driving differentiation and building competitive advantage.

This position is responsible for leading and inspiring the Scent Technology & Innovation team for Fine Fragrance globally and for directly managing the Fine fragrance ST&I team in the local region. This position also plays a lead role in the Fine Fragrance Creative Management team developing and driving the strategy for the category globally.

In this ST&I leadership role, the candidate will be responsible for developing and driving the Technology innovation pipeline for global Fine Fragrance partnering with our R&D, Operations, Consumer Science and Commercial teams. The candidate is also in charge of developing partnerships on technology projects with key customers collaborating closely with them to commercialize IFF fragrance technologies which drive differentiation of their brands.

The candidate will directly report to the VP, Global Innovation, Creation & Design, Fine Fragrance based in New York and have a dotted reporting line to the VP, Global ST&I based in Europe. This position will be part of the global, cross category Scent Technology and Innovation leadership team.

Key Responsibilities

SHAPING THE FINE FRAGRANCE GLOBAL CATEGORY STRATEGY

1) Work with the Fine Fragrance Creative Leadership team on the definition and annual refresh of the Fine Fragrance Category Strategy
2) Drive the Fine Fragrance strategy for new molecule development working with Perfumers and R&D.

INNOVATION MANAGEMENT

1) Lead in liaison with Fine Fragrance category management team the definition of an End to End Innovation strategy to drive IFF product superiority and market differentiation (Ingredients strategy, Fragrance Performance, New Technologies, Delivery systems)
2) Build & formalize IFF fine fragrance technology and fragrance solutions pipeline/portfolio in liaison with R&D and Global ST&I leadership
3) Define and develop new technologies to drive consumer benefits at relevant touchpoints of fine fragrance experience that address the needs of our customers.
4) Work closely with operations, category and commercial teams to define the business model to commercialize new technologies.
5) Drive Innovation Strategic Initiatives Portfolio Management as well as annual delivery of Category Commercial Offerings with strong value propositions
6) Lead a set of specific Innovation initiatives
7) Lead partnership with external suppliers to support Technology/Innovation programs
8) Drive IP Strategy for Fine Fragrance category to maximize IFF competitive position
9) Drive a consumer-driven approach to Scent Innovation across the global team

GO TO MARKET

1) Help grow IFF’s Fine Fragrance category business with a focus on Global customers as well as priority regional customers
2) Partner with commercial teams to build presentations/pitches to customers for visits and core listings. Determine technology strategy and pipeline for key customers
3) Develop Innovation partnership programs with IFF key customers maximizing business opportunities
4) Build relationship with Innovation teams of IFF key Fine Fragrance customers
5) Attend relevant industry events to build and maintain strong network of customers and suppliers

TALENT MANAGEMENT

1) Lead and inspire a team of ST&I scientists/managers
2) Optimize team performance through excellent leadership, stretching goal setting, coaching and development
3) Identify and develop talent within the Global Fine Fragrance ST&I to elevate the technical and innovation knowledge as well as leadership competencies of the organization
4) Manage category and regional ST&I teams building a global network sharing and leveraging Fine Fragrance knowledge and best practices

COMMUNICATION & TEAMWORK

1) Drive the communication flow on Innovation within the category (Strategy, Priorities, Initiatives update…) on a global basis
2) Foster a collaborative mindset and build a relationship of trust with other functions (Perfumers, Marketing, Consumer Insights) to enrich and accelerate the creative process.
3) Maximize cross-fertilization within the Fine Fragrance category and with other categories (Bodycare, Fabric and Home)

Required Skills, Experience, Education

• Strong Innovation Mindset
• Excellent leadership and team building capabilities
• High level of business knowledge and acumen within the FMCG or Fragrance industries
• Passionate about fragrance and product design
• Strong communication (both written/verbal - in English).
• Creative problem solver
• Change manager
• Proactive
• Global mindset
• Mobile - can travel / live abroad.
• Results driven and customer focused

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in the industrial food, pharmaceutical, chemical, cosmetic, consumer goods and/or fragrance industry in an international environment.
• Masters or PhD degree in Science & Technology, Chemistry or related discipline.
• Ability to develop and implement global strategies.
• Proven record of managing a new innovation project portfolio globally.
• Excellent olfactive capabilities (candidates will be required to complete internal olfactive test).
• Build and inspire a team working with multiple functions across large organization.
• Experience presenting to global internal and external customers.
• Ability to coach and mentor team members.
• Proven record of managing multiple Go-to-Market innovation / commercialization projects.

Job Location

Neuilly-sur-Seine, France