Senior Innovation Manager

Mizkan Europe Ltd; London; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading culinary innovation company in London seeks a Senior Innovation Manager to drive product development from concept to shelf. You will work closely with NPD chefs and technical experts, identifying food trends and translating them into market-ready products. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of experience in FMCG or foodservice, brings creativity and commercial savvy, and holds a relevant degree. This hybrid role offers a unique chance to influence both restaurant menus and retail offerings.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in FMCG or foodservice innovation projects.
• Ability to spot food trends and understand restaurant culture.
• Experience in balancing recipe development with costings.

Responsibilities

• Identify food movements and develop concepts with commercial impact.
• Work with NPD to launch factory-ready products.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to implement innovations.

Skills

Driving innovation projects

Understanding food trends

Commercial acumen

Creativity

Collaborative mindset

Education

Degree in Food Science, Marketing, Business or similar

Job description

Posted Tuesday 9 September 2025 at 00:00

Chiswick, London | Hybrid

At Mizkan Euro, we’re known for iconic household brands such as Branston and Sarson’s, but our ambition stretches far beyond tradition. We’re investing heavily in innovation, developing bold, flavourful products that capture culinary trends in foodservice and retail across Europe.

This is where you come in.

As Senior Innovation Manager, you’ll be at the heart of shaping the future of our portfolio. Working together with our NPD chefs and technical experts, you’ll take ideas from spark to shelf, spotting trends in restaurants, food trucks, and pop-ups, and translating them into products that chefs want on their menus and consumers love in their kitchens.

Your role will span the full innovation journey:

• Trendspotting & Ideation – identify food movements and develop concepts with commercial impact.
• Product Development – work with NPD to take a kitchen recipe all the way to a factory-ready launch.
• Packaging & Application – brief design teams and ensure products are fit for both foodservice and retail, with clear hero dish applications.
• Cross-functional leadership – partner with sales, supply chain, and packaging to make innovation happen—on time and on budget.

Why this role is different:

• Impact at scale – Foodservice innovation fuels not just restaurants but also retail expansion across Europe.
• Hands-on creativity – Work directly with chefs, developers, and factories to bring recipes to life.
• Agile innovation – Embrace experimentation and problem-solving in a role where not everything goes to plan and that’s part of the excitement.
• Growth & exposure – With a portfolio that spans the UK and Europe, you’ll gain insight into diverse markets and consumer behaviours.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has 5+ years’ experience driving innovation projects in FMCG or foodservice.
• Understands food trends, restaurant culture, and the chef’s perspective.
• Combines commercial acumen with creativity, balancing recipe development with costings and feasibility.
• Brings resilience, curiosity, and a collaborative mindset.
• Holds a degree in Food Science, Marketing, Business, or similar (Food Science highly valued).

This is a rare chance to lead innovation that bridges restaurant menus and retail shelves, with your work directly shaping what chefs serve and consumers discover.