Innovation Project Lead (12 month FTC)
About Us:
Hi there👋we’re Wild. We’re on a mission to remove single-use plastic from the bathroom, armed with our refillable, natural and scent-sational deodorants, body wash, and lip balm – and we’re only just getting started. We launched in 2020 and as a high-growth company we’re already one of Europe’s fastest growing start-ups🚀 So, fancy coming along for the ride?😃
The Role
We’re looking for a highly organised, delivery-obsessed Innovation Project Lead to join our Product team and own the end-to-end delivery of our NPD pipeline.
This is a hands-on, execution-heavy role sitting at the heart of how we bring new products to life. You’ll be the connective tissue between Product, Supply Chain, Operations, Commercial, Marketing and Creative.
You’ll need to be comfortable deep in the detail of product development (formulations, packaging, testing, approvals) while also keeping multiple complex projects moving at pace across the business.
If you love building order out of chaos, obsess over timelines and dependencies, and get a strange amount of satisfaction from a perfectly run launch plan… you’ll feel right at home here.
This is a mid-senior level role that reports into our Head of NPD. Please note, this is a maternity cover role on a 12 month fixed term contract.
Some of your responsibilities
🚀 End-to-end NPD delivery
Own the delivery of multiple NPD projects from concept through to launch across our innovation pipeline
Build, maintain and relentlessly manage detailed project plans, critical paths and timelines
Keep multiple workstreams moving in parallel without losing sight of detail or deadlines
Proactively identify risks, dependencies and bottlenecks before they become problems
Drive accountability across teams and confidently escalate when timelines are at risk
Balance product performance, operational feasibility and commercial requirements in real time
Coordinate product testing, trials, validation and sign-off processes across multiple stakeholders
Help unblock technical or operational challenges quickly and pragmatically
🤝 Cross-functional leadership
Act as the day-to-day project lead across Product, Supply Chain, Ops, Marketing, Brand and Creative
Make sure everyone knows what’s happening, what they own, and when it’s due
Drive alignment and fast decision-making across multiple workstreams
Build strong relationships across the business and become a trusted operator people rely on
Keep momentum high - even when things get messy (because they will)
Line manage other members of the team and support in removing any blocks
📊 Systems, tooling & automation (this is a core part of the job)
Build and maintain sophisticated and joined-up project tracking systems (linked spreadsheets, databases and dashboards) that give real-time visibility of launch timelines, risks and dependencies
Able to develop understanding of how tools need to interact with tools used across other areas of the business to ensure handoff efficiencies
Proactively identify manual, clunky or inefficient workflows and redesign them using automation
Use AI tools to accelerate delivery, surface risks earlier, and improve the speed and quality of cross-functional communication by considering that any task repeated more than once is automated
📣 Visibility & communication
Produce clear, simple and regular launch status updates for senior stakeholders
Translate complex, multi-workstream plans into straightforward visibility on progress, risks and decisions needed
Be the person who brings clarity when things feel complex or moving fast
🛍️ Commercial & launch readiness
Ensure every product is ready to launch into market on time
Work with DTC & Retail teams to understand customer requirements and launch priorities
Coordinate all launch readiness activities (samples, specs, packaging, operational readiness, pricing inputs etc.)
Ensure products are delivered in a way that supports commercial success and sales performance
Coordinate with wider business on new launches to ensure that all teams are aware of key NPD information to support in marketing etc
🚀 What we need from you
Essential:
Strong project management experience delivering complex, cross-functional projects
Exceptional organisation and a genuine obsession with getting things done properly and on time
Experience working within NPD ideally within a personal care environment, product development or fast-paced delivery environments
Comfortable operating in the detail of product development (formulations, packaging, testing, approvals etc.)
Strong stakeholder management skills - able to influence, challenge and hold people accountable
Highly proactive, autonomous and able to operate in ambiguity without hand-holding
Commercial awareness and understanding of how products move from concept to market success
Experience building and managing project tracking systems, dashboards or structured reporting tools
Strong spreadsheet/data skills and comfort working with structured operational data
Experience improving processes and removing friction from how teams work
Comfortable using automation and AI tools to improve speed, quality and efficiency of work
Desirable:
Experience in FMCG, consumer goods, beauty, food, beverage or similar fast-paced environments
Familiarity with manufacturing, supply chain and packaging production processes
Comfortable using AI tools day-to-day to accelerate analysis, communication and execution
⚡️What you’ll get from us:
25 days holidays + bank holidays + 9 extra remote working days
Hybrid working, 3 days a week in our shiny new London office
Enhanced maternity, paternity & parental leave
4% Company Pension
Mental well-being support through Spill
Private healthcare through Vitality
Weekly early finishes and social events
Annual L&D budget
Free breakfast
Free & discounted Wild products
2 x team volunteering days and 2 x personal volunteering days
Ready to become a Wild thing?!
At Wild, we know that diversity drives innovation and creativity. We are committed to creating and maintaining a workplace where all employees feel valued and empowered to bring their most authentic selves to work. We recognise that diversity goes beyond visible differences such as race, gender, age, and ethnicity, and encompasses a broad spectrum of backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and abilities. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.
If we can make any adjustments to help you to perform your best in the process, please let us know!
Please note, we are not currently partnering with external recruiters for this role. If you're interested in joining our team, please apply below!
