Are you ready to shape the future of iconic brands, build new ones from scratch, and influence consumer culture? An exciting opportunity awaits you at the heart of one of Kenya’s most dynamic organizations. We are seeking an Innovations Manager to join our team in Nairobi, Kenya. This is a full-time role that offers a career-defining chance to lead the development of groundbreaking innovation projects, transform consumer experiences, and redefine celebrations for generations to come.
At our core, we are innovators. We thrive on pushing boundaries, exploring bold possibilities, and creating industry-shaping ideas that transform markets. We are committed to developing strong brands that resonate deeply with consumers while keeping innovation, creativity, and culture at the center of everything we do.
This role offers an extraordinary opportunity to drive meaningful change within an organization that houses some of the most beloved local and global beverage brands. From building new brands from scratch to creating fresh variants of established ones, to launching international favorites in ways that resonate with local markets—your leadership will help redefine what it means to celebrate in Kenya and beyond.
If you are a visionary with a passion for consumers, creativity, and innovation, this role could be the perfect fit.
About the Innovation Function
The innovation function sits at the heart of the business, driving consumer-focused strategies and pioneering breakthrough products. Our teams collaborate globally and locally, taking bold steps to explore new opportunities while maintaining agility and responsiveness to shifting market dynamics. We celebrate curiosity, creativity, and the courage to act swiftly on powerful insights.
We are creators of standout brands such as Chrome, Tusker Cider, Balozi, and new variants like Kenya Cane Pineapple, Kenya Cane Lemon & Ginger, and Smirnoff Ice Guarana & Pineapple Punch. We also bring global favorites closer to consumers, including Captain Morgan Gold, Guinness Smooth, Tanqueray, and Gordon’s Flavors, through culturally connected marketing strategies.
Our mission is to create purposeful, winning brands that capture hearts and minds while ensuring long-term commercial success. To achieve this, we value speed, creativity, and adaptability, often launching products in record time and building strategies that connect meaningfully with consumers.
About the Role: Innovations Manager
The Innovations Manager will play a pivotal role in executing scalable and disruptive innovation projects that align with the organization’s growth priorities. This is not a role for those who prefer business as usual—it requires bold thinking, entrepreneurial flair, and the courage to disrupt markets with new possibilities.
As Innovations Manager, you will be responsible for leading thought leadership initiatives, transforming insights into action, and ensuring seamless execution of product launches. You will work across functions, building partnerships, and inspiring teams to drive innovation from concept to commercialization.
This role demands passion, creativity, and determination, as you will oversee multiple projects while maintaining focus on performance, quality, and consumer impact.
Key Responsibilities
The Innovations Manager will be expected to:
1. Build Purposeful Winning Brands
- Develop brands rooted in culture that win consumer trust and loyalty.
- Use creative judgment to evaluate brand communication and content.
- Design disruptive, holistic launch campaigns that capture attention and drive engagement.
2. Lead Product Innovation
- Translate consumer insights into breakthrough concepts, designs, and communication strategies.
- Drive the development and approval of new launches through the GATE process.
- Partner with supply chain, commercialization, and change managers to ensure seamless product rollout.
3. Leverage Insights to Drive Growth
- Use consumer and customer insights to shape product positioning and commercial execution.
- Work closely with media and digital teams to ensure launches reflect evolving consumer behavior and trends.
4. Deliver Brilliant Execution
- Write clear, inspiring briefs for agencies and partners to deliver disruptive campaigns.
- Ensure launches are executed on time, within budget, and achieve cultural relevance and rapid awareness.
5. Forge Powerful Partnerships
- Build productive relationships with agencies, global brand teams, and cross-functional partners.
- Foster collaboration to align execution with brand vision and organizational goals.
6. Demonstrate Entrepreneurial Spirit
- Identify new opportunities and connections to bring fresh ideas to market.
- Show resilience, creativity, and adaptability in navigating complex business challenges.
7. Manage Projects with Rigor
- Handle multiple concurrent projects with discipline and structure.
- Ensure all launches meet deadlines and achieve set milestones.
8. Inspire and Lead Teams
- Motivate cross-functional teams to deliver on ambitious innovation goals.
- Build strong relationships, foster accountability, and drive excitement around new opportunities.
9. Drive Performance Management
- Track KPIs for each launch and adjust strategies as needed.
- Ensure timely interventions and course corrections to deliver strong outcomes.
Key Relationships
The Innovations Manager will work closely with a wide range of stakeholders, including:
- Kenya Executive Team
- Marketing, Finance, Procurement, and Corporate Affairs teams
- Technical and Brand Change teams
- Consumer Research and Sales/Commercial teams
- Supply Chain, Quality, and Brand Assurance teams
- Third-party agencies and global business teams
These collaborations will ensure alignment across the value chain, from idea generation to market delivery.
Experience and Skills
The ideal candidate should bring the following:
- Over 4 years of consumer marketing or innovation experience with proven results.
- Strong commercial grounding and marketing judgment.
- Entrepreneurial flair to identify opportunities and overcome challenges.
- Excellent communication skills to build networks across business and agencies.
- Comfort with managing complexity and ambiguity.
- Proven ability to juggle multiple projects with competing timelines.
- A track record of resilience, drive, and determination.
- Graduate-level education in a business-related field.
Why Join Us?
- Flexibility: We believe flexibility drives success. You will be supported to balance wellbeing and priorities while excelling in your role.
- Diversity and Inclusion: We celebrate people from diverse backgrounds and ensure every individual feels valued and empowered to contribute.
- Career Growth: This role offers unparalleled exposure to brand creation, global collaboration, and leadership opportunities.
- Impact: You will help shape the future of celebrations by creating brands that resonate with millions of consumers.
About the Company
We are part of Diageo, the world’s leading premium drinks company, with more than 200 brands sold in over 180 countries. Our legacy is built on visionary entrepreneurs like Arthur Guinness, John Walker, and Charles Tanqueray, whose spirit of innovation continues to guide us.
With over 30,000 employees globally, we are committed to creating a culture where diverse voices are celebrated, creativity thrives, and innovation flourishes. From Guinness to Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Tanqueray, and Tusker, our portfolio represents both iconic heritage and groundbreaking innovation.
Our ambition is simple yet bold: to be the best performing, most trusted, and most respected consumer products company in the world. By joining us, you will not only contribute to building great brands but also help shape a more inclusive and sustainable future.
How to Apply
If you are inspired to take on this career-defining opportunity and shape the future of iconic brands, we encourage you to submit your application today.
Primary Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Job Posting Start Date: 23rd September 2025
