Ideation Manager Process Solutions

The businesses of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany • Burlington, MA

9d • $116,700 - $175,100 • Hybrid

About The Position

This role can be based in Darmstadt, Germany or Bedford / Burlington, MA. As Ideation Manager Process Solutions (PS), you will play a key role in shaping the future PS innovation pipeline by identifying emerging growth opportunities while driving an effective and customer-centric ideation and opportunity development process. Leveraging customer, market, technology, and business insights, you will lead the Process Solutions ideation framework, methodologies and governance to ensure a consistent flow of strategically aligned opportunities into the innovation portfolio. Working closely with stakeholders across Business Franchises, R&D, Marketing, Strategy, Commercial, customers, and external partners, you will foster a collaborative innovation ecosystem, accelerate co-ideation, and help shape the future innovation of Process Solutions.

Requirements

• BS degree in life sciences, chemistry, engineering, business, or a related field with 7+ years relevant experience, or MS with 5+ years of relevant experience
• Proven experience in innovation / ideation management, methodologies and tools
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to leverage data, insights, and AI-enabled tools to support innovation discovery and decision-making

Nice To Haves

• Proactive and hands-on self-starter with the ability to uncover insights, identify opportunities, and mobilize stakeholders to translate them into innovation opportunities
• Excellent communication and senior stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and drive results across a matrix organization
• Ideally strong understanding of the Process Solutions business, customer needs, market trends, competitive intelligence and emerging technologies
• Customer-facing experiences are a plus
• Fluent in English; proficiency in German is a plus

Responsibilities

• Partner with Business franchises, customers and other key stakeholders to translate customer, market, technology, and business insights into strategic innovation themes and roadmaps
• Identify future growth opportunities and shape a robust innovation opportunity pipeline
• Own and continuously improve the Process Solutions ideation framework, methodologies and governance
• Lead the identification, evaluation & prioritization, and transition of innovation opportunities into the innovation portfolio pipeline – aligned with strategic objectives and a clear focus on customer-centricity
• Build and nurture relationships with stakeholders across the organization, customers and external partners to create a collaborative innovation ecosystem that strengthens the PS innovation pipeline
• Facilitate co-ideation activities that transform promising ideas into actionable innovation concepts
• Champion a customer-centric ideation mindset by promoting best practices, methodologies, tools, and capability building

Benefits

• health insurance
• paid time off (PTO)
• retirement contributions
• other perquisites

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior