Innovation Program Manager

What you´ll do

As an Innovation Program Manager, you will lead a portfolio of innovation projects that advance Henkel’s strategic growth strategy for a top focused growth segment. The job location can be either US or Germany, based on the agreement with the final candidate.

• Manage, lead, and continuously review a program of interconnected innovation projects.
  Develop and maintain a balanced and strategically aligned innovation project portfolio to meet revenue and profitability targets.
• Ensure the program aligns with global business strategies, customer roadmaps, market positioning, risk assessments, and mitigation plans.
• Identify risks, capability gaps, and resource bottlenecks; proactively develop alternative solutions in collaboration with the Global Product Development Lead.
• Provide regular, structured updates on program status to executive committees and decision‑making bodies.
• Monitor progress at both program and project levels, ensuring timelines, budgets, and milestones are met.
• Organize and lead program‑level meetings and ensure effective communication across R&D, marketing, operations, and commercial teams.
• Support project managers by reviewing project quality, decision readiness, and cross‑functional alignment.
• Oversee quality readiness before launch and support the transition to manufacturing and market introduction as needed.

What makes you a good fit

• Master’s degree, engineering or similar technical degree preferred
• 7+ years of relevant industry experience in related technical fields.
• PMP certification required.
• Demonstrated success leading complex, cross‑functional programs in a technical or innovation‑driven environment.
• Experience with innovation processes, including stage‑gate methodologies, technology road mapping, or R&D portfolio management.
• Experience leading and coaching people or project teams is preferred.

Some benefits of joining Henkel

• Health Insurance: affordable plans for medical, dental, vision and wellbeing starting on day 1
• Work-Life Balance: Paid time off including sick, vacation, holiday and volunteer time, flexible & hybrid work policies (depending on role), and vacation buy / sell program
• Financial: 401k matching, employee share plan with voluntary investment and Henkel matching shares, annual performance bonus, service awards and student loan reimbursement
• Family Support: 12-week gender neutral parental leave (up to 20 weeks for parents giving birth), fertility support, adoption & surrogacy reimbursement, discounted child and elderly care, and scholarships
• Career Growth: diverse national and international growth opportunities, access to thousands of skills development courses, and tuition reimbursement

The salary for this role is $130000.00 - $180000.00. This is the range that we in good faith anticipate relying on when setting wages for this position. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range. This salary range may also be modified in the future.

Henkel does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies. Unsolicited referrals and resumes are considered Henkel property and therefore, Henkel will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited referral.

Henkel is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.

JOB ID: 26090530

Job Locations: Germany, North Rhine Westphalia, Düsseldorf | United States, CT, Rocky Hill, CT

Contact information for application-related questions: [email protected]

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