Sr Manager Front End Innovation

Join us and celebrate the beauty of human experience. Create for happier, healthier lives, with love for nature. Together, with our customers, we deliver food innovations, craft inspired fragrances and develop beauty and wellbeing solutions. There's much to learn and many to learn from, with more than 17,000 employees around the world to explore ideas and ambitions with.

In the USA, we develop, market and produce a wide array of solutions from our 25 most innovative sites, based across the country. Stretch your skills, create and get inspiration from passionate colleagues. Every day, your energy, your thirst for knowledge, and your creativity will shape our future, making a positive difference on billions of people. Every essence of you enriches our world.

We are Givaudan. Human by nature.

At Givaudan, innovation starts by connecting the right challenges with the right ecosystem. As Senior Manager, Front End Innovation, you will lead MISTA, Givaudan's strategic open innovation platform. Your responsibilities will include identifying latest technologies, building strategic partnerships, and activating a global ecosystem of startups, academia, investors, and industry leaders.

You will guide technology scouting, ecosystem development, and partnership creation to accelerate innovation, unlock new growth opportunities, and create measurable value for both Givaudan and MISTA members. Being the primary orchestrator of the MISTA ecosystem, you will connect external innovation opportunities with strategic needs and help transform ideas into impactful collaborations.

Your Location San Francisco, California

You Will Report To Head of Front End Innovation

Responsibilities

* Lead and strengthen the MISTA ecosystem, ensuring delivery of value for Givaudan and MISTA members.

* Implement ecosystem, technology scouting, and partnership strategies aligned with Front End Innovation priorities.

* Identify new technologies, startups, and disruptive opportunities across food, ingredients, biotechnology, health, nutrition, sustainability, AI, and adjacent sectors.

* Build and activate strategic networks across startups, venture capital firms, accelerators, universities, research institutions, and industry partners.

* Translate member and challenges into targeted scouting initiatives, innovation programs, and collaboration opportunities.

* Generate relevant technology, market, and ecosystem insights to support strategic decision-making.

* Lead opportunity assessment, due diligence, business case development, and partnership recommendations.

* Develop and activate strategic partnerships, pilot programs, co-development programs, and innovation collaborations.

* Lead MISTA innovation programs, including Growth Hacks, startup engagement activities, ecosystem events, and member collaborations.

* Source, engage with startups and innovation partners to address member priorities and future growth opportunities.

* Define priorities, KPIs, roadmaps, and reporting to measure ecosystem performance, innovation impact, and value creation.

* Partner with innovation, business, and commercialization teams to ensure successful transition and execution of validated opportunities.

* Represent MISTA and Front End Innovation across external innovation networks, strategic partnerships, industry events, and ecosystem engagements.

* Influence partners through data-driven insights, strategic recommendations, and strong relationship management.

Your Professional Profile Includes

* Master's degree in Food Science, Biotechnology, Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, Nutrition, or a related scientific discipline.

* 8-12 years of experience in open innovation, technology scouting, ecosystem development, venture building, strategic partnerships, or related fields.

* Experience with in food, ingredients, biotechnology, health, nutrition, sustainability, or adjacent industries.

* Track record building innovation ecosystems, strategic partnerships, and external collaborations that bring growth.

* 5+ years experience working with startups, venture capital firms, accelerators, incubators, and research institutions.

* 5+ years of experience with latest technologies, startup ecosystems, and new idea trends.

* Experience conducting technology assessments, commercial evaluations, and partnership due diligence.

* Connect science, technology, market insights, and business strategy to create innovation outcomes.

* Recognized network and credibility within the Food Tech and innovation ecosystem.

* Entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for innovation, collaboration, and creating measurable impact.

* Influence organizations and build trusted relationships.

Compensation and Benefits

The established salary range for this position is $150,000-$220,000. Actual compensation will depend on individual qualifications. Medical, dental, and vision coverage and a high-matching 401(k) retirement plan.

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