Global Marketing Innovation Development Manager F/M/X

Location: FRA-Gard-Aimargues

Location: Aimargues, near Montpellier (France)

Type of contract : Permanent (CDI)

Entity: Royal Canin France

The Global Marketing Innovation Development Manager is a key architect of Royal Canin's growth agenda, transforming strategic opportunities into winning innovations across the Healthy Pet and Sick Pet portfolios. By leading the development and execution of the global, omnichannel innovation pipeline, this role accelerates growth, strengthens portfolio competitiveness, and delivers meaningful value for pets, pet owners, veterinarians, customers, and the business.

What are we looking for?

Master's degree in Marketing, Business, Innovation, Engineering, or a related field.

3+ years of experience in Innovation, Product Development, or Portfolio Management, combined with solid experience in FMCG, Nutrition, Health Care, or other consumer-centric industries.

Proven track record of delivering innovation or renovation projects that drive consumer value, business growth, and brand differentiation.

Strong strategic marketing skills, with the ability to translate insights into compelling value propositions, claims, and product concepts.

Demonstrated ability to lead projects and influence cross-functional teams in a complex, matrix environment.

Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and collaboration skills, with the confidence to challenge, align, and drive decisions.

Understanding of the Petcare, Nutrition, Healthcare, or recommendation-led business model is a plus; local market experience is highly valued.

Proactive, curious, and results-oriented, with a strong sense of ownership, learning agility, and a passion for bringing innovation to life.

Knowing the QUEST process would be a strong advantage

What will be your key responsibilities?

The Global Marketing Innovation Development Manager is responsible for transforming innovation opportunities into market-ready nutritional solutions that support Royal Canin's growth ambitions and pet health outcomes. Working within a highly collaborative, global environment, the role partners with cross-functional teams to deliver innovation and renovation projects that are compliant, distinctive, and commercially successful. The position requires strong project management, innovation expertise, stakeholder management, and the ability to navigate complexity while maintaining a relentless focus on execution excellence.

Innovation Development & Project Delivery

• Lead the development and execution of innovation and renovation projects across the Healthy Pet and Sick Pet portfolios, from concept approval to launch.
• Develop winning nutritional solutions that deliver strong consumer, customer, and veterinarian relevance through compelling value propositions, claims, and Reasons-To-Believe (RTBs).
• Ensure products are developed in line with Royal Canin's product micro-architecture, design principles, and brand strategy.
• Contribute to innovation sufficiency, business growth, and targeted health outcomes through the successful delivery of innovation projects.
• Embed sustainability considerations throughout the innovation development process.
• Manage project budgets and resources effectively to ensure value-driven delivery.
• Innovation Process Excellence & Ways of Working
• Leverage and champion the QUEST process to deliver projects On Time, In Full, and Right First Time while ensuring compliance with quality, regulatory, and governance requirements.
• Prepare recommendations, project updates, and decision-making materials for key governance milestones and forums, including S&OP+ forums.
• Promote best practices, efficient ways of working, and continuous improvement across innovation development activities.
• Contribute to capability building and knowledge sharing within the Innovation Development community.
• Ensure all projects are executed in compliance with established procedures, legislation, tools, and quality standards.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Business Partnership

Collaborate closely with Prospective Innovation, Portfolio Management, Activation, R&D, Brand & Design, VCO, Regulatory, Legal, Finance, and Supply teams to ensure successful project delivery and launch readiness.

Build strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including agencies and strategic partners.

Align innovation projects with portfolio priorities and activation plans to ensure consistent execution and maximize market impact.

Communicate effectively across functions and governance forums, driving alignment, transparency, and informed decision-making.

Maintain an outside-in perspective by staying connected to consumer, customer, category, and market trends to continuously strengthen innovation relevance and competitiveness.

What can you expect from Mars?

Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.

Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.

You will work in a unique campus, which gathers more than 800 Associates working for: the international HQ, the French subsidiary, two laboratories, a kennel and a cattery with more than 200 cats & dogs, and finally the most important factory of the Royal Canin group

Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.

#LI-CB1

#LI-Onsite