Innovation Project Lead (12 month FTC)

About Us:

Hi therewe’re Wild. We’re on a mission to remove single-use plastic from the bathroom, armed with our refillable, natural and scent-sational deodorants, body wash, and lip balm – and we’re only just getting started. We launched in 2020 and as a high-growth company we’re already one of Europe’s fastest growing start-ups So, fancy coming along for the ride?

The Role

We’re looking for a highly organised, delivery-obsessed Innovation Project Lead to join our Product team and own the end-to-end delivery of our NPD pipeline.

This is a hands-on, execution-heavy role sitting at the heart of how we bring new products to life. You’ll be the connective tissue between Product, Supply Chain, Operations, Commercial, Marketing and Creative.

You’ll need to be comfortable deep in the detail of product development (formulations, packaging, testing, approvals) while also keeping multiple complex projects moving at pace across the business.

If you love building order out of chaos, obsess over timelines and dependencies, and get a strange amount of satisfaction from a perfectly run launch plan… you’ll feel right at home here.

This is a mid-senior level role that reports into our Head of NPD . Please note, this is a maternity cover role on a 12 month fixed term contract.

Some of your responsibilities

End-to-end NPD delivery

• Own the delivery of multiple NPD projects from concept through to launch across our innovation pipeline

• Build, maintain and relentlessly manage detailed project plans, critical paths and timelines

• Keep multiple workstreams moving in parallel without losing sight of detail or deadlines

• Proactively identify risks, dependencies and bottlenecks before they become problems

• Drive accountability across teams and confidently escalate when timelines are at risk

• Balance product performance, operational feasibility and commercial requirements in real time

• Coordinate product testing, trials, validation and sign-off processes across multiple stakeholders

• Help unblock technical or operational challenges quickly and pragmatically

Cross-functional leadership

• Act as the day-to-day project lead across Product, Supply Chain, Ops, Marketing, Brand and Creative

• Make sure everyone knows what’s happening, what they own, and when it’s due

• Drive alignment and fast decision-making across multiple workstreams

• Build strong relationships across the business and become a trusted operator people rely on

• Keep momentum high - even when things get messy (because they will)

• Line manage other members of the team and support in removing any blocks

Systems, tooling & automation (this is a core part of the job)

• Build and maintain sophisticated and joined-up project tracking systems (linked spreadsheets, databases and dashboards) that give real-time visibility of launch timelines, risks and dependencies

• Able to develop understanding of how tools need to interact with tools used across other areas of the business to ensure handoff efficiencies

• Proactively identify manual, clunky or inefficient workflows and redesign them using automation

• Use AI tools to accelerate delivery, surface risks earlier, and improve the speed and quality of cross-functional communication by considering that any task repeated more than once is automated

Visibility & communication

• Produce clear, simple and regular launch status updates for senior stakeholders

• Translate complex, multi-workstream plans into straightforward visibility on progress, risks and decisions needed

• Be the person who brings clarity when things feel complex or moving fast

️ Commercial & launch readiness

• Ensure every product is ready to launch into market on time

• Work with DTC & Retail teams to understand customer requirements and launch priorities

• Coordinate all launch readiness activities (samples, specs, packaging, operational readiness, pricing inputs etc.)

• Ensure products are delivered in a way that supports commercial success and sales performance

• Coordinate with wider business on new launches to ensure that all teams are aware of key NPD information to support in marketing etc

What we need from you

Essential:

• Strong project management experience delivering complex, cross-functional projects

• Exceptional organisation and a genuine obsession with getting things done properly and on time

• Experience working within NPD ideally within a personal care environment, product development or fast-paced delivery environments

• Comfortable operating in the detail of product development (formulations, packaging, testing, approvals etc.)

• Strong stakeholder management skills - able to influence, challenge and hold people accountable

• Highly proactive, autonomous and able to operate in ambiguity without hand-holding

• Commercial awareness and understanding of how products move from concept to market success

• Experience building and managing project tracking systems, dashboards or structured reporting tools

• Strong spreadsheet/data skills and comfort working with structured operational data

• Experience improving processes and removing friction from how teams work

• Comfortable using automation and AI tools to improve speed, quality and efficiency of work

Desirable:

• Experience in FMCG, consumer goods, beauty, food, beverage or similar fast-paced environments

• Familiarity with manufacturing, supply chain and packaging production processes

• Comfortable using AI tools day-to-day to accelerate analysis, communication and execution

⚡️What you’ll get from us:

• 25 days holidays + bank holidays + 9 extra remote working days

• Hybrid working, 3 days a week in our shiny new London office

• Enhanced maternity, paternity & parental leave

• 4% Company Pension

• Mental well-being support through Spill

• Private healthcare through Vitality

• Weekly early finishes and social events

• Annual L&D budget

• Free breakfast

• Free & discounted Wild products

• 2 x team volunteering days and 2 x personal volunteering days

Ready to become a Wild thing?!

At Wild, we know that diversity drives innovation and creativity. We are committed to creating and maintaining a workplace where all employees feel valued and empowered to bring their most authentic selves to work. We recognise that diversity goes beyond visible differences such as race, gender, age, and ethnicity, and encompasses a broad spectrum of backgrounds, experiences, perspectives, and abilities. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.

If we can make any adjustments to help you to perform your best in the process, please let us know!

Please note, we are not currently partnering with external recruiters for this role. If you're interested in joining our team, please apply below!