Junior Innovation Manager/Coordinator – R&D (80–100 %)

About the job

Are you passionate about innovations, think analytically, and want to help shape how new ideas become successful products? Then this position offers you the ideal entry into innovation management.

Junior Innovation Manager/Coordinator – R&D (80–100 %)

Job description:

• Innovation Management: You support the establishment and further development of structured innovation processes and contribute to the introduction of suitable methods and tools.
• Idea Management: You help systematically capture, evaluate, and prioritise new innovation ideas and further develop the innovation pipeline.
• Market and Trend Analyses: You research technological developments, market trends, and sustainable innovations and identify potential opportunities for new products and solutions.
• Innovation Projects: You accompany projects from the initial idea to implementation and support the coordination of tasks, milestones, and responsibilities.
• Analyses and Decision Support: You prepare information, evaluations, and presentations and support the assessment of innovation ideas regarding feasibility, market potential, and economic viability.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: You work closely with Research & Development, Product Management, Production, and other departments as well as, if necessary, with external research partners.

About the customer:

Our client is an established Swiss industrial company that develops and produces high-quality building materials and innovative product solutions. With a strong focus on quality, sustainability, and continuous development, the company combines many years of experience with the ambition to recognise new technologies and market potentials early.

To further develop innovation management, we are looking for a curious, analytical, and proactive individual who will drive new ideas together with the Head of Research & Development, help shape structures, and accompany innovation projects.

Requirements:

• Education: Completed or near-completion university degree (Bachelor/Master) in Industrial Engineering, Technology Management, Technical Management, or a comparable field with a clear focus on innovation management and innovation projects.
• Innovation Competence: You have intensively dealt with innovation processes, the development and evaluation of new ideas, as well as the planning and implementation of innovation projects during your studies.
• Methodological Knowledge: You bring knowledge of modern innovation methods such as Design Thinking, Stage-Gate, Innovation Portfolio Management, or Trend Management.
• Analytical Skills: You possess strong analytical and conceptual thinking skills, recognise complex interrelationships, and enjoy developing structured, practical solutions.
• Technical Understanding: You are interested in technical products, industrial processes, and innovative technologies and are motivated to familiarise yourself with new subject areas.
• Personality: You are curious, proactive, well organised, and pragmatic. You enjoy working independently, take responsibility, and feel comfortable in a down-to-earth, practical environment.
• Teamwork: You are communicative, enjoy collaborating with different departments, and convince through a reliable and solution-oriented working style.
• Language Skills: Native-level German in spoken and written form is required.

Initial practical experience in innovation or project management as well as knowledge of the construction or building materials industry are advantageous but not mandatory. What matters is your technical and methodological understanding, your enthusiasm for innovations, and your motivation to develop further.