Category Head R&D (OND)

The Role

Principle Accountabilities

• Lead the scientific and technical strategy for the OND category, shaping long-term innovation plans and future product pipelines.
• Translate consumer insights and business priorities into technically robust innovation programmes that drive category growth.
• Own the successful delivery of innovation projects from concept through to launch, ensuring quality, safety and compliance requirements are met.
• Act as the key R&D partner to Category Marketing, providing technical leadership and influencing strategic decision-making across the business.
• Lead and inspire cross-functional teams across multiple Centres of Excellence, driving collaboration, alignment and innovation excellence globally.
• Build and develop the capabilities, partnerships and technical solutions required to support future category growth and innovation ambitions.

Skills and Experience Required

• Degree-qualified in a scientific or engineering discipline such as Chemistry, Engineering, Materials Science or Life Sciences.
• Significant experience leading R&D, product development or innovation programmes within a regulated industry environment.
• Proven track record of delivering innovation pipelines from concept to commercial launch.
• Experience leading complex, cross-functional teams and influencing senior stakeholders across a global organisation. 
• Strong understanding of regulatory, safety and quality requirements, with the ability to balance technical excellence with commercial objectives.
• Experience managing external partners, suppliers or innovation organisations, combined with strong strategic thinking and decision-making capability.

What We Offer

In return for playing your part in building our future, you will receive a comprehensive compensation package with salary, bonus scheme and further benefits as well inspiring places to work and collaborate with purpose. Here at Imperial we will give you the opportunity to grow and learn, innovate at pace and be a part of our purpose to forge a path to a healthier future for moments of relaxation and pleasure for our consumers.

Everyone Belongs

Everyone belongs in Imperial. We are proud of being a truly inclusive organisation. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, nationalities, disabilities, sexual orientation, religions or beliefs and of neuro divergence. We give fair and equal consideration to all our applicants. Please contact us at recruitment@impbrands.com to let us know if we can provide support in helping you complete an application and/or attend an interview.

About Us

We're a truly international company, fourth largest in our industry and operating across 120 markets. An inclusive, innovative global FMCG business supported by 25,000 employees. As we embrace a new era of growth, we are transforming. Our ways of working and culture are driven by a challenger mindset, constantly questioning the status quo where people can bring their best selves to work. Our agility and collaboration are driving our ambitions, innovation and success all supported by our award-winning development programmes that creates exciting and rewarding career opportunities for all.  Encouraging inclusion at local levels and supporting a developing and robust diversity agenda globally, we’re fully committed to creating and maintaining an environment that celebrates and respects difference.

As a matter of policy, Imperial Tobacco or its subsidiaries never requests or requires payment as part of any recruitment process.