Building on a strong legacy of almost 150 years, we are leading the way to reimagine and improve life every day. Today and for generations to come. Through our innovative and sustainable brands and technologies, across our teams around the world.
Henkel holds leading positions in both industrial and consumer businesses: Our portfolio includes well-known hair care products, laundry detergents, fabric softeners as well as adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings.
Innovation Portfolio & Project Manager - IMEA
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About this Position
As a Regional Innovation Project Manager, you will be responsible for leading and driving the innovation project portfolio across the IMEA region, ensuring strategic initiatives are effectively managed from concept through commercialization. You will act as the central coordinator between R&D, Marketing, Supply Chain, Operations, Commercial, and other key stakeholders to deliver innovative solutions that support business growth and market competitiveness.
The role requires strong project and portfolio management capabilities to prioritize initiatives, allocate resources, manage risks, and ensure projects are delivered on time and within scope. You will establish governance frameworks, create transparency across the innovation pipeline, and facilitate data-driven decision-making to maximize portfolio value.
In addition, you will lead cross-functional teams in a matrix environment, influencing stakeholders at various organizational levels and driving alignment around common objectives. A key focus will be translating innovation strategies into successful product launches and commercial outcomes while fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Success in this role requires excellent leadership, stakeholder management, analytical thinking, and communication skills, along with a passion for innovation and the ability to navigate a dynamic, multicultural business environment across the IMEA region.
What you´ll do
- Lead regional innovation projects from ideation through commercialization.
- Manage and optimize the innovation project portfolio, ensuring alignment with business strategy.
- Establish project governance, prioritization, and resource planning processes.
- Drive cross-functional collaboration among R&D, Marketing, Supply Chain, Operations, and Commercial teams.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks while ensuring timely escalation of critical issues.
- Monitor project performance, timelines, budgets, and key milestones.
- Provide portfolio updates and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
- Coach and support project teams to ensure effective execution and capability development.
- Drive innovation excellence and contribute to sustainable business growth across the IMEA region.
What makes you a good fit
- Minimum 6 years of experience in project management, program management, portfolio management, innovation or product development.
- Proven experience leading complex cross-functional projects from idea through commercialization.
- Master's degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, Business or a related field.
- Cross-functional leadership in a matrix and multicultural environment.
- Stakeholder management with strong influencing and alignment skills.
- Risk identification, mitigation planning, and issue escalation management.
- Strategic thinking with the ability to translate business goals into execution plans.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and team coaching skills.
Some perks of joining Henkel
- Diverse national and international growth opportunities
- Global wellbeing standards with health and preventive care programs
- Gender-neutral parental leave for a minimum of 8 weeks
- Employee Share Plan with voluntary investment and Henkel matching shares
- Best-in-class Group Medical Insurance policy covering employee, spouse and up to 2 children
- Competitive accident and term life policies for up to 3 times annual gross salary
- Progressive OPD policy of INR 30,000 for employee, spouse and up to 2 children
At Henkel, we come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe the uniqueness of all our employees is the power in us. Become part of the team and bring your uniqueness to us! We look for a diverse team of individuals who possess different backgrounds, experiences, personalities and mindsets.
JOB ID: 26100978
Job Locations: India, Maharashtra, Pune
Contact information for application-related questions: talent.acquisition@henkel.com
Please do not use this email address for sending your application or CV. To apply, please click on the "Apply for this role" button below. Applications sent via e-mail will not be accepted.
Application Deadline: As long as the vacancy is listed on our Career Site, we are happy to receive your application
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About Henkel
FAQ
I am interested in several jobs. Can I apply for multiple positions at the same time?
Yes – simply fill out your profile in our online application system. Once your online profile is complete, you can apply for multiple positions.
The job offer is written in English – should I write my application in English as well?
Yes, please. As Henkel is an international company you will be working with colleagues from all over the world and English is our official company language. Generally, the ‘rule’ is: please write the application in the same language as the job ad.
Do I get feedback during the application process about the state of my application?
Each position that we have open with Henkel is unique, and finding the right candidate is important for both the hired candidate as well as for Henkel. We want to make sure that both the candidate and the company are a good fit for each other. We will provide feedback to the candidates throughout the entire process.
Can employees move between business areas and/or to a different country?
Yes, in fact it is an expectation within Henkel that our talent is flexible and mobile. This helps to support the company on a broad, global level.
Our “Triple Two” philosophy promotes this expectation, by allowing you to work in at least two different roles, in two different business areas and two different countries. The reason behind this philosophy is that we believe working in different roles, business units and functions is good for your personal development and improves your understanding of Henkel as a global company.
Here you will get further information on our training programs.
Whom do I contact if I have questions concerning my application?
Our recruiting team will help you with all requests regarding your application. Contact the team here.