Innovation Ecosystem & Strategic Partnerships, Senior Manager
Sign up free to see how well your resume matches this role.
What you'll do
- Build strategic relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, startups, universities and technology partners.
- Expand a differentiated ecosystem that improves competitive advantage.
- Build preferred partnerships for breakthrough innovation.
- Identify emerging technologies, ingredients, packaging and manufacturing capabilities.
- Monitor consumer, scientific and competitive trends.
- Translate discoveries into actionable innovation opportunities.
- Deliver analysis of formulas that are being explored from a consumer/competitive standpoint
- Develop long-term co-creation partnerships.
- Identify exclusivity and first-to-market opportunities.
- Recommend partnership investments.
- Support 3–5 year innovation roadmaps.
- Introduce externally sourced concepts into planning.
What they're looking for
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Cosmetics Marketing, Chemistry, Engineering or related field required.
- 8+ years in Beauty, Personal Care, CPG or adjacent industries required.
- Experience with suppliers, manufacturers or external innovation partnerships.
- Strong strategic thinking and cross-functional leadership.
- Must be able to assess and analyze formulas and consumer experience.
- Must have an understanding of competitive landscape.
Nice to have
- MBA or advanced technical degree.
- Experience in Open Innovation or Strategic Partnerships.
- Experience navigating trade shows and following up with R&D re formulas and suppliers.
Summarised by NextRaise from the employer’s description, which follows in full below.
Full description from employer
A collective energy and ambition. A place where you can make a real difference.
We’re a company that genuinely cares about our people, our products, our consumers and the environment.
Our unique, informal culture champions courage, determination and collaboration. Knowing we have an open and supportive team means each of us has the freedom to take responsibility and ownership. We have a shared passion to work hard, innovate and push boundaries.
United by the belief that when we strive for growth, anything is possible. While we might not be the largest company in our industry, we believe we can have the biggest impact because: Together We Have the Power to Win.
Job Summary
Church & Dwight is seeking an Innovation Ecosystem & Strategic Partnerships Senior Manager to join our team.
Reporting to the Director, Marketing Innovation & Development - Beauty, the Innovation Ecosystem & Strategic Partnerships Senior Manager will build and lead a world-class external innovation network spanning ingredient suppliers, packaging innovators, contract manufacturers, startups, universities, technology partners, and research organizations.
As the strategic bridge between Church & Dwight Beauty and the external innovation ecosystem, this role supports Hero, Batiste, Nair, Viviscal, and Toppik by identifying emerging technologies, cultivating high-value partnerships, and translating external opportunities into differentiated products, accelerated speed to market, and sustainable portfolio growth. Working across Marketing, R&D, Procurement, Supply Chain, PMO, and Commercial teams, this leader will expand access to breakthrough capabilities, strengthen the innovation pipeline, and help shape the future of the Beauty business.
About the Role
The purpose of this role is to identify and unlock external innovation opportunities that create meaningful competitive advantage across the Beauty portfolio. This leader will continuously monitor emerging technologies, consumer trends, and market developments to ensure Church & Dwight remains at the forefront of beauty innovation.
Success in this role requires curiosity, strategic thinking, and the ability to build influential partnerships that move beyond traditional supplier relationships toward co-creation, exclusive technologies, and long-term growth opportunities.
This role continually challenges the organization to answer:
What emerging technologies could redefine our categories?
Which partnerships can create sustainable competitive differentiation?
How can we transform supplier relationships into strategic innovation collaborations?
What capabilities should we invest in today to meet the needs of tomorrow's consumers?
Work Environment
Hybrid: This is a hybrid role based in Ewing, NJ or NYC and requires in- person attendance on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, with remote work options on Mondays and Fridays.
Role Accountabilities and Responsibilities
Build an Innovation Ecosystem
Develop strategic relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, startups, universities and technology partners.
Expand a differentiated ecosystem that improves competitive advantage.
Build preferred partnerships for breakthrough innovation.
Technology & Trend Scouting
Identify emerging technologies, ingredients, packaging and manufacturing capabilities.
Monitor consumer, scientific and competitive trends.
Translate discoveries into actionable innovation opportunities.
Deliver analysis of formulas that are being explored from a consumer/competitive standpoint
Strategic Partnerships
Develop long-term co-creation partnerships.
Identify exclusivity and first-to-market opportunities.
Recommend partnership investments.
Portfolio Growth
Support 3–5 year innovation roadmaps.
Introduce externally sourced concepts into planning.
Strengthen the innovation pipeline.
Cross-Functional Leadership
Partner with Marketing Innovation, R&D, Procurement, Supply Chain, PMO and Commercial.
Develop Technology Radar, Innovation Landscape Reviews and Partner Assessments.
Leadership Competencies
Curious and future-focused
Relationship builder
Influences without authority
Commercially and technically fluent
Passionate about shaping the future of beauty
Key Performance Indicators
Increase externally sourced innovation concepts
Reduce development cycle time
Grow strategic partner network
Increase differentiated technologies entering pipeline
Successfully partner in negotiating an exclusive or novel formula
Improve commercialization success
Increase revenue contribution from externally enabled innovation
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Cosmetics Marketing, Chemistry, Engineering or related field required.
8+ years in Beauty, Personal Care, CPG or adjacent industries required.
Experience with suppliers, manufacturers or external innovation partnerships.
Strong strategic thinking and cross-functional leadership.
Must be able to assess and analyze formulas and consumer experience.
Must have an understanding of competitive landscape.
Some travel required
Preferred Qualifications:
MBA or advanced technical degree.
Experience in Open Innovation or Strategic Partnerships.
Experience navigating trade shows and following up with R&D re formulas and suppliers.
Compensation and Benefits
The U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $130,200– $185,400. This position is also eligible for a bonus.
As a Church & Dwight US employee, you (and eligible dependents, as applicable) will have access to medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid vacation and sick time, and Paid Parental Leave. U.S. employees are entitled to paid holidays, floating holidays, and vacation days starting in their first year of employment depending on hire date. You are also able to participate in our 401k retirement plan (with company match and profit-sharing) and Discounted Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, geographical location, and internal pay parity. Compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.
#LI-Hybrid
Church & Dwight is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.
For more information on our company, our brands and our culture visit us at http://www.churchdwight.com/
Company
Company facts come from this company's own listings. We only show what the postings themselves carry.