Senior Innovation Project Manager (m/f/d)

Innovation Management | Bielefeld | Start date: 05/01/2026 | Full Time | Permanent

Since our beginnings at Dr. Oetker, we have been breaking new ground. With pizza, cake, and desserts, as well as digital platforms and services – quality and an innovative spirit set us apart.

What awaits you? It's up to you! At Dr. Oetker, you can actively shape the future – both yours and ours. We want to be part of something bigger. Don't you?

JOIN THE TASTE.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

• As a Senior Innovation Project Manager (m/f/d), you will lead strategically important innovation projects that have a significant impact on the business and involve complex international interfaces.
• In this role, you will oversee planning, budgeting, risk management and stakeholder management throughout the entire project lifecycle. You will also guide cross-functional and cross-country core teams, ensuring clear governance and effective decision‑making structures.
• In addition, you will lead portfolio reviews to ensure transparency regarding progress, risks and resource utilization across the entire portfolio.
• As part of the annual pipeline and portfolio planning, you will assess project dependencies, impact and strategic fit, deriving prioritization and resource recommendations.

• You will further act as a sparring partner for the Executive Manager of Innovation Management on matters relating to pipeline planning and strategic portfolio alignment. You will also be responsible for establishing and further developing project management standards, as well as coaching and providing technical guidance to other project managers.
• Alongside leading complex I2L innovation projects, you are expected to take ownership of high-impact cross-functional initiatives. This might include system implementations (e.g. Clarity), agile pilots, portfolio reporting and analytics, and capability or process transformation. You are expected to lead these topics end-to-end and deliver measurable business impact.

• Finally, you will drive process and system optimizations within the I2L framework, contribute to the strategic development of the innovation architecture (e.g. Launch Monitor, Portfolio Review, Yearly Rhythm) and represent Innovation Management in interdisciplinary committees and strategic working groups.

WHAT YOU BRING

• You hold a successfully completed university degree, ideally in Business Administration, Marketing, Innovation Management or a comparable field.
• You have extensive, several years of experience in international project or innovation management, including proven success in leading complex, cross‑functional and cross‑country projects.
• You demonstrate excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder‑management capabilities.
• Strong command of business cases and key financial metrics (e.g., volume, revenue and profit targets) is one of your core strengths.
• Strategic, analytical and conceptual thinking characterizes your working style, complemented by entrepreneurial drive, decisiveness and a strong results orientation.
• High travel readiness, strong intercultural competence and excellent English skills complete your profile.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

• Attractive remuneration
• Flexible work models & mobile work
• 30 days of vacation plus Special vacation at Christmas & New Year's Eve
• Onboarding and professional development opportunities
• Excellent employee restaurant and discounts in the Dr. Oetker Shop
• Events and celebrations ​
• Sports, health and fitness offers
• Pension plan, Sabbatical and JobRad
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP), this offers professional support in all situations, such as assistance with childcare, finding au pairs, and advice on care services.
• Daycare cooperation for children and laundry service