Innovation Project Manager

Campari Group today is a major player in the global branded spirits industry, with a portfolio of over 50 premium and super premium brands, marketed and distributed in over 190 markets around the world, with leading positions in Europe and the Americas.

Headquartered in Milan, Italy, Campari Group owns 25 plants worldwide and has its own distribution network in 26 countries, and employs approximately 4,700 people.

Shares of the parent company Davide Campari - Milano N.V. are listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001. Campari Group is today the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry.

General Description of the Role

This role sits at the crossroads of innovation, supply chain and marketing, owning the end‑to‑end delivery of new products, renovations and market customisations.

It is ideal for someone who enjoys turning ideas into reality, managing complexity, influencing senior stakeholders and ensuring that great brand ideas reach consumers on time and with excellence.

You will be a key reference point for product delivery, trusted for clarity, decision‑making and the ability to move projects forward in a dynamic, international environment.

Mission/Objectives

• Deliver new product development projects with competitive and reliable time‑to‑market
• Act as the go‑to person for project status, decisions and escalation
• Drive continuous improvement in how new products are delivered to market
• Co‑lead governance forums (Springboard) together with Marketing partners

Key Responsibilities and Activities

New Product Delivery (innovation renovation and customization):

• Own product delivery integrated plans throughout all the stages, from concept approval to post-launch
• Delivery projects, including setting up project team and integrated plans. I.e. define required resources; outline project timeline, scenarios and milestone; identify risk and related mitigation plan
• Be trusted partner for team managers, proving meaningful communication on project updates. Steer decisions when needed to meet project targets
• Ensure consistent and high-quality data and information on projects managed into tracking tools

• Guarantee product launch tasks completion (e.g. all SKUs in scope have been created and forecasted by markets, first productions are successfully completed…)
• Performs project closing meeting with to capture lessons learned
• Jointly lead, with marketing partner, preparation of SC data to support post launch evaluation

Customization Projects Portfolio Management:

• Support identification of potential opportunities, issues or bottle neck in the portfolio (e.g. interactions or overlapping with other ongoing / incoming projects in any portfolio) and identify actions to capture, solve or escalate them.
• New initiatives pre-feasibility: assess and (challenge if needed) scope and value delivered with project owner, assess supply chain feasibility, impacts and risks
• Ensure overall portfolio delivery in line with key metrics managed (Resource optimization, NPD budget/cost management, NPD time to market, NPD timing reliability)

Stage and Gate (Springboard):

• Actively attend NPD Springboard, addressing all key discussion open along the meeting
• Ensure the timely and exhaustive preparation of pre-reads, identify risks/issues and alert in advance stakeholders before Springboard
• Address all actions agreed along Springboard discussions

Team and stakeholder management:

• Educate engaged functions (SC, Marketing, Commercial and Support Functions) on innovation and renovation processes and governance
• Steer and deploy continuous improvement plans with transformation teams

What you bring

• 3–5 years of experience in New Product Development, Project Management or Supply Chain (experience in beverages, packaging or FMCG is a strong plus)
• Strong project leadership and the ability to build trust quickly across functions
• Structured planning, prioritisation and scenario‑thinking skills
• Confidence in managing complexity, ambiguity and senior stakeholder conversations
• Clear and effective communication in English
• An agile, improvement‑oriented mindset

Nice to have

• Experience with SAP and advanced MS Office tools (Excel, Project, PowerPoint)
• Understanding of Process R&D and manufacturing environments
• Project Management certification

What we offer

• Exposure to iconic global brands and high‑impact innovation projects
• A culture that encourages ownership, collaboration and growth
• Opportunities to develop internationally within a diverse and inclusive environment
• The chance to shape how innovation comes to life across markets

The indicative annual gross salary (base salary) for this position ranges within 46 000 to 50 000€, depending on the candidate’s experience, skills, and overall profile.
The role is classified in accordance with the "industria alimentare" collective labour agreement – level 1.
The position might also include a variable compensation component and a benefits package in line with applicable company policies. 

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:

At Campari Group we believe in building more value together, thus we see diversity in all forms as a source of enrichment. Our employment policies and practices ensure that we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities in all aspects of employment without regard to any individual’s race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or characteristics or expression, political affiliation or activity, age, veteran status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Campari Group believes that fair compensation and equal opportunities are crucial for employees’ well-being, empowerment, and engagement.  Our efforts to ensure fair pay have earned us the Fair Pay Certification by Fair Pay Workplace, an independent organization dedicated to dismantling pay disparities based on gender, race and their intersection.

Note to applicants:

Your application will be assessed based on your abilities, expertise, general knowledge and experience, not because of any confidential, proprietary or trade secret information you may possess. You must not disclose to Campari Group any such information. In the event that you are asked a question that cannot be answered without disclosure of any confidential, proprietary or trade secret information (including from a current or prior employer or their vendors or customers), you must decline to answer the question.

Notice to third party agencies:

Please refrain from cold-calling or emailing our executive leadership team or the HR community directly. The Talent Acquisition department manages centralized recruiting operations globally, including the selection and management of external suppliers. Currently, our preferred supplier list is at full capacity. To ensure we have your information on file for future consideration, we kindly request that you complete the online form provided here.