The APAC Portfolio strategy and Innovation Lead will be responsible for developing and deploying regional portfolio strategies (where to play), drive initiatives across the region related to strategic portfolio & regional choices, lead full cycle of innovation management to accelerate our value creation and sustainable growth ambition within the Asia-Pacific region.
With the collaboration with Regional VCM leads this senior role is accountable to lead the overall portfolio strategy, diagnosing portfolio performance, identifying key opportunities and tension points across the 3 dimensions of our Flywheel model (Reach, Convert, Value) ensuring alignment and execution across all channels to secure positive P&L impact with stronger focus on top priorities: Cat, SOL, Ageing , Wet, Vet including focus new innovation and transversal portfolio opportunities.
Support the PPA project with focus on e-com value proposition and Wet acceleration agenda.
Responsible to build Innovation/Renovation Roadmaps (3 years’ + horizon) by collaborating with Global, Regional demand team and APAC key stakeholders, including the Business Units’ Teams.
The role works closely with the global portfolio and innovation teams, regional VCM leads and PSRO sales acceleration/ activation manager to secure relevant value propositions and tool kits availability. It utilises CMI studies to validate future innovation suitability and performance.
What are we looking for?
7+ years of experience in Petcare industry, including Strategic Portfolio management, Innovation, Brand building, category management, at local market and regional and/or global level
Experience to work on Pet / Pharma / Vet industry / portfolio
Experience of working in more than 1 geography/market, leading multi-markets projects
Strategic thinking and planning skills, with a demonstrated ability to develop and implement successful portfolio strategies, ability to navigate through complexity & ambiguity
Confident decision-making with the ability to influence internal and external partners. Ability to work across all functions of the company.
Collaborative skills and ability to lead without authority a must.
Strong communication and presentation skills.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities.
Excellent written and oral English language skills. French is appreciated.
What will be your key responsibilities?
Strategic Planning and Diagnosis:
Develop and articulate a comprehensive long-term regional portfolio strategy based on the global portfolio strategy and Regional ambition and needs.
Align across Regional VCM and APLT stakeholders in the Region initiatives to drive cohesive and effective market growth and operationalization of the strategy.
Utilize the flywheel tool, Gear box for accurate diagnostics and to identify opportunities and areas for improvement across the portfolio.
Lead R-PMR step(s) within S&OP + cycle :
Lead the APAC Portfolio Management Review (R-PMR) (focused on project deployment & escalation) and facilitate APAC R-RDL (focused on drive of strategic demand priorities), of the APAC S&OP+ Process.
Including all necessary feeder and follow-up actions, interfacing with Global, Regional and Business Units Stakeholders.
Represent the APAC R-PMR at APAC-IRR for each cycle and APAC MBR when necessary.
Represent APAC in Global forums when needed: G-PMR , Functional steerco ( FC/ wet ), X-VCM projects ( Sustainable pack and etc)
Strengthen the collaboration and APAC representation to be the go-to person to connect and influence Global stakeholders in APAC and in the global headquarters.
Innovation / Renovation Portfolio Management:
Lead and coordinate the innovation process from APAC with the markets and the global team, driving the innovation agenda with Global, having APAC as key contributor for the innovation pipeline development.
Influence Global Innovation Process and its continuous improvement, actively providing feedback based upon facts, experience, and suggestions from the APAC teams.
Identify the key opportunities to ensure that the Big Bet market (China) needs are reflected in the innovation process and that we have a concrete plan to unlock the key products not yet available in line with regional priorities: .Cat, SOL, Ageing , Wet, Vet including focus on pork free project and Functional complements and XVCM projects.
Collaborate to develop plan with Regional VCM leads on e-com portfolio and PPA needs.
Ensure the collaboration with ESO Regional team to operationalize the plans
Collaborate with the teams for the SRM fundamentals .
Lead the introduction of new products and renovation/delisting to the APAC markets, ensuring timely and successful launches/ renovation, relevant claims and RTBs and SOP or/and work on optimizing the portfolio. Ensure the collaboration with Regional VCM and Supply, ESO teams.
Drive MHL deployment and collaborate with Global/ Regional teams to unlock the roadblocks.
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
Work closely with cross-functional teams including Marketing, Sales, ESO,R&D, and Operations to ensure cohesive strategy execution.
Provide leadership and guidance to regional and local teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
Ensure effective communication and alignment between global, regional, and local teams.
Drive collaboration, codify and share best practices across the regional & global community.
Drive marketing community and ensure the alignment with full APAC demand community.
Performance Monitoring and Reporting:
Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to track the success of the portfolio strategy and collaborate with the demand team for the successful activation.
Regularly review and analyse performance data, providing insights and recommendations for continuous improvement.
Prepare and present reports to senior management, highlighting progress, challenges, and strategic recommendations.
What can you expect from Mars?
Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.
Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
