Senior Innovation Manager

Essen

Full-time

Permanent employee

Your mission

At WIK, our 5,000 employees across Germany, Switzerland, North Macedonia, Hong Kong, Indonesia and China create products used by millions of people worldwide.

About the Role
We are looking for a Senior Innovation Manager to strengthen our innovation capability and drive strategic initiatives across the company. In this role, you will help shape the future of our kitchen and personal care products, contribute to our sustainability ambitions, and ensure that emerging technologies and business opportunities are evaluated and converted into impactful innovations.
You will operate at both strategic and hands-on levels: guiding the innovation portfolio, facilitating cross-functional collaboration, and translating technology foresight into actionable roadmaps. You will coach teams, support open innovation efforts with customers and external partners, and act as a key driver of our innovation culture.

What You Will Do

Manage and steer the innovation portfolio, ensuring alignment with strategy and sustainability goals.
Facilitate cross-functional ideation, co-creation, and concept development activities.
Lead technology foresight efforts, assess emerging trends, and translate insights into technology and product roadmaps.
Drive scouting activities and evaluate external technologies, partners, and opportunities.
Support and challenge innovation and project teams through structured methods and clear decision frameworks (e.g., Stage-Gate, Lean Startup).
Contribute to business-model innovation and strategic opportunity shaping.
Provide thought leadership, coaching, and methodological guidance within the innovation team.
Lead projects and act as a technical and methodological authority without having direct personnel responsibility.

Your profile

What You Bring

5+ years of experience in innovation management or technology management, ideally with exposure to both R&D and manufacturing environments.
Strong capabilities in innovation methodologies such as technology foresight, innovation portfolio management, business model innovation, Stage-Gate, and Lean Startup.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills across all hierarchical levels and disciplines.
Strong affinity for technical domains and emerging technologies.
A proactive, open-minded personality with the ability to work independently and guide others.
A strategic yet hands-on mindset that connects long-term thinking with real execution.
Excellent English skills (must-have); German and another language is beneficial.

Why us?

At WIK Group, you will find a work environment that is driven by innovation, teamwork and a steadfast belief in the importance of sustainability. We offer you the opportunity to be part of a dynamic team dedicated to developing cutting-edge technologies.

After your onboarding phase with virtual or in-person interaction with our global locations in China, Indonesia, Switzerland, and Macedonia, your main workplace will be in our newly established office located in the historic heart of Lucerne, Switzerland.
We offer 30 days of vacation, meaningful international collaboration with opportunities to travel to our global sites, and the chance to make a real impact on sustainability as part of a forward-thinking team.

About us

"Shaping the Future – Sustainably, Innovatively, and Responsibly."

At WIK Group, our mission is to deliver excellence in product development and advanced manufacturing technologies, offering tailored solutions to our customers. However, for us, success goes beyond economic growth – we believe that true innovation only arises when it harmonizes with our environment.

Our vision is clear: We aspire to be a global leader in developing and producing technologically advanced and sustainable products. We are passionate about improving the quality of life for people while preserving the resources of our planet. Our commitment to sustainability and regenerative technologies is deeply rooted in our corporate philosophy.