Innovation Manager | Auckland

Job Description

The Opportunity

We're excited to launch a newly created role for a collaborative and proactive Innovation Manager to join our Auckland team.

Leading across the full Innovation spectrum from strategy, ideation, development and launch, you'll champion best practice and raise Innovation capability across the whole organisation. Your ideas and strategic thinking will influence the future direction of Goodman Fielder, including our manufacturing footprint.

This is your chance to lead some of New Zealand's most iconic food brands and create and manage a consumer-led innovation funnel that drives incremental growth across our Retail, Foodservice and Private Label channels.

This is a rare opportunity to make your mark, build something new, and shape the future of innovation at Goodman Fielder.

What you will do

• Create and manage a dynamic innovation pipeline that delivers sustainable, incremental growth.
• Lead projects end-to-end through the stage-gate process, balancing creativity, speed, and commercial discipline.
• Partner across Marketing, Sales, Category, Operations, R&D and procurement to deliver innovation that drives business growth.
• Inspire and motivate cross-functional teams to think boldly, act decisively and deliver results fast. 

What you will bring

• Proven experience leading end-to-end innovation or NPD projects ideally within FMCG or manufacturing.
• Strong business partnership and stakeholder management skills — able to influence, engage and inspire at every level.
• Experience working within structured innovation systems (e.g., stage-gate, governance frameworks).
• Excellent communication and project management skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams.
• Project management or innovation qualifications will be an advantage.
• An ability to anticipate solve problems as, or before, they occur.

About us

We are a leading regional food company across Australia, New Zealand and Asia Pacific, delivering some of New Zealand's most iconic and trusted brands — including Edmonds, Meadow Fresh, Freya's, Molenberg and Puhoi Valley.

Why Goodman Fielder?

• Lead innovation that shapes the future of some of NZ's most loved brands.
• Be part of a collaborative, values-driven culture that celebrates ideas and action.
• Work with autonomy and purpose in a dynamic, high-performing environment.
• Enjoy genuine opportunities for career growth and cross-functional exposure.
• Join us and bring your vision to life — making food, and your career, better every day.

We believe that success comes down to our people. We're driven by our values – We Grow Together, We Keep Things Simple, We Get Stuff Done – and we're committed to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. With operations spanning New Zealand and beyond, we offer real opportunities to grow your career across functions, brands and borders.