Innovation Ecosystem & Strategic Partnerships Senior Manager

A collective energy and ambition. A place where you can make a real difference.

We’re a company that genuinely cares about our people, our products, our consumers and the environment.

Our unique, informal culture champions courage, determination and collaboration. Knowing we have an open and supportive team means each of us has the freedom to take responsibility and ownership. We have a shared passion to work hard, innovate and push boundaries.

United by the belief that when we strive for growth, anything is possible. While we might not be the largest company in our industry, we believe we can have the biggest impact because: Together We Have the Power to Win.

Job Summary

Church & Dwight is seeking an Innovation Ecosystem & Strategic Partnerships Senior Manager to join our team.

Reporting to the Director, Marketing Innovation & Development - Beauty, the Innovation Ecosystem & Strategic Partnerships Senior Manager will build and lead a world-class external innovation network spanning ingredient suppliers, packaging innovators, contract manufacturers, startups, universities, technology partners, and research organizations.

As the strategic bridge between Church & Dwight Beauty and the external innovation ecosystem, this role supports Hero, Batiste, Nair, Viviscal, and Toppik by identifying emerging technologies, cultivating high-value partnerships, and translating external opportunities into differentiated products, accelerated speed to market, and sustainable portfolio growth. Working across Marketing, R&D, Procurement, Supply Chain, PMO, and Commercial teams, this leader will expand access to breakthrough capabilities, strengthen the innovation pipeline, and help shape the future of the Beauty business.

About the Role

The purpose of this role is to identify and unlock external innovation opportunities that create meaningful competitive advantage across the Beauty portfolio. This leader will continuously monitor emerging technologies, consumer trends, and market developments to ensure Church & Dwight remains at the forefront of beauty innovation.

Success in this role requires curiosity, strategic thinking, and the ability to build influential partnerships that move beyond traditional supplier relationships toward co-creation, exclusive technologies, and long-term growth opportunities.

This role continually challenges the organization to answer

• What emerging technologies could redefine our categories?
• Which partnerships can create sustainable competitive differentiation?
• How can we transform supplier relationships into strategic innovation collaborations?
• What capabilities should we invest in today to meet the needs of tomorrow's consumers?

Work Environment

Hybrid: This is a hybrid role based in Ewing, NJ or NYC and requires in- person attendance on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, with remote work options on Mondays and Fridays.

Build an Innovation Ecosystem

• Develop strategic relationships with suppliers, manufacturers, startups, universities and technology partners.
• Expand a differentiated ecosystem that improves competitive advantage.
• Build preferred partnerships for breakthrough innovation.

Technology & Trend Scouting

• Identify emerging technologies, ingredients, packaging and manufacturing capabilities.
• Monitor consumer, scientific and competitive trends.
• Translate discoveries into actionable innovation opportunities.
• Deliver analysis of formulas that are being explored from a consumer/competitive standpoint

Strategic Partnerships

• Develop long-term co-creation partnerships.
• Identify exclusivity and first-to-market opportunities.
• Recommend partnership investments.

Portfolio Growth

• Support 3–5 year innovation roadmaps.
• Introduce externally sourced concepts into planning.
• Strengthen the innovation pipeline.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with Marketing Innovation, R&D, Procurement, Supply Chain, PMO and Commercial.
• Develop Technology Radar, Innovation Landscape Reviews and Partner Assessments.

Leadership Competencies

• Curious and future-focused
• Relationship builder
• Influences without authority
• Commercially and technically fluent
• Passionate about shaping the future of beauty

Key Performance Indicators

• Increase externally sourced innovation concepts
• Reduce development cycle time
• Grow strategic partner network
• Increase differentiated technologies entering pipeline
• Successfully partner in negotiating an exclusive or novel formula
• Improve commercialization success
• Increase revenue contribution from externally enabled innovation

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Cosmetics Marketing, Chemistry, Engineering or related field required.
• 8+ years in Beauty, Personal Care, CPG or adjacent industries required.
• Experience with suppliers, manufacturers or external innovation partnerships.
• Strong strategic thinking and cross-functional leadership.
• Must be able to assess and analyze formulas and consumer experience.
• Must have an understanding of competitive landscape.
• Some travel required

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or advanced technical degree.
• Experience in Open Innovation or Strategic Partnerships.
• Experience navigating trade shows and following up with R&D re formulas and suppliers.

Compensation and Benefits

The U.S. base salary range for this full-time position is $130,200– $185,400. This position is also eligible for a bonus.

As a Church & Dwight US employee, you (and eligible dependents, as applicable) will have access to medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid vacation and sick time, and Paid Parental Leave. U.S. employees are entitled to paid holidays, floating holidays, and vacation days starting in their first year of employment depending on hire date. You are also able to participate in our 401k retirement plan (with company match and profit-sharing) and Discounted Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, geographical location, and internal pay parity.  Compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.

#LI-Hybrid

Church & Dwight is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.

For more information on our company, our brands and our culture visit us at http://www.churchdwight.com/