Innovation Optimization Manager

Tate & Lyle

Supports innovation optimization by building tools and analyses for decision-making at Tate & Lyle. Collaborates across teams to enhance pipeline transparency and governance.

Posted 6/5/2026full-timeRemote • Illinois • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $90,000 - $130,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Support the Director of Innovation Optimization by building and maintaining the tools, analyses and knowledge assets that underpin innovation prioritization, governance and value delivery
Turn data into decision-ready insight, standardize ways of working across regions/platforms
Ensure key learnings, benchmarks and playbooks are captured and reusable
Develop, maintain and improve core innovation optimisation tools (e.g., templates, scorecards, prioritisation models, dashboards)
Translate the Director’s governance principles into clear workflows, guidance and training materials; support adoption across regions and platforms
Prepare materials for innovation forums, capture decisions, and ensure updates are reflected in the relevant systems and reporting
Run recurring and ad-hoc analysis to support prioritisation, resource allocation and de-prioritisation decisions (e.g., value pools, sensitivity scenarios, capacity vs. demand, milestone risk)
Partner with FP&A and Analytics to compile inputs for ROI views (e.g., investment, benefits, probabilities, timing) and to surface risks/assumptions in a transparent way
Support creation and maintenance of the “one source of truth” datasets and visualisations (e.g., cube/game boards), ensuring version control and clear audit trails
Prepare decision-ready synthesis for stakeholders: concise summaries, recommended options, and implications for portfolio shape and strategic objectives
Build and maintain the innovation optimisation knowledge base (e.g., playbooks, FAQs, benchmarks, best practices, post-launch learnings, decision logs)
Standardise and curate reusable assets (templates, examples, coaching materials) to reduce rework and improve quality of submissions into the pipeline funnel.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Business, Engineering, Data/Analytics, Life Sciences or related field
Experience in analytics, commercial insights, portfolio/programme management, innovation excellence, or a similar role in an Ingredient or FMCG environment (or agency/consulting equivalent)
Demonstrated ability to build practical tools and standardised ways of working that improve decision making and execution (templates, scorecards, dashboards, governance packs)
Strong analytical and problem-solving capability; able to structure ambiguous questions and synthesise data into clear, stakeholder-ready recommendations
Working knowledge of innovation/NPD processes and commercial fundamentals (value pools, P&L drivers, basic financial modelling)
High attention to detail, strong version control and documentation discipline; comfortable owning data definitions and audit trails
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills; able to influence without authority in a matrixed organisation
Proactive, self-starting and collaborative; thrives in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities
Preferred: Proficiency with data and reporting tools (e.g., Excel/PowerQuery, Power BI or similar), and experience working with structured datasets and dashboarding standards.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical, Dental, Vision coverages
Paid time off package, including vacation, sick time, and 16 weeks of paid parental leave
401K with company match
Company paid life insurance
Additional benefits at no cost to employee such as: Lifestyle Spending Account, Identity Theft protection, Employee Assistance Program, telemedicine and more!

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

analyticsportfolio managementprogram managementinnovation excellencefinancial modelingdata synthesisdecision-making toolsgovernance principlesversion controldocumentation discipline

Soft Skills

analytical capabilityproblem-solvingcommunication skillsstakeholder managementinfluence without authorityproactivecollaborativeattention to detailself-startingability to thrive in fast-paced environments