Imperial Brands PLC
Category Head R&D (OND)
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Category Head R&D (OND)
Head of Oral Nicotine Delivery (OND) R&D
At Imperial Brands, we're transforming the future of our business through innovation. As Head of OND R&D, you'll play a critical role in shaping the future of our Oral Nicotine Delivery category, leading the development of a differentiated, consumer-centric innovation pipeline that delivers against our commercial ambitions while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and compliance.
Working at the intersection of science, technology, and consumer insight, you'll provide strategic leadership across a global network of multidisciplinary teams and partners, ensuring we continue to develop innovative products that meet evolving consumer needs.
Principle Accountabilities
- Lead the scientific and technical strategy for the OND category, shaping long-term innovation plans and future product pipelines.
- Translate consumer insights and business priorities into technically robust innovation programmes that drive category growth.
- Own the successful delivery of innovation projects from concept through to launch, ensuring quality, safety, and compliance requirements are met.
- Act as the key R&D partner to Category Marketing, providing technical leadership and influencing strategic decision-making across the business.
- Lead and inspire cross-functional teams across multiple Centres of Excellence, driving collaboration, alignment, and innovation excellence globally.
- Build and develop the capabilities, partnerships, and technical solutions required to support future category growth and innovation ambitions.
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Skills and Experience Required
- Degree-qualified in a scientific or engineering discipline, such as Chemistry, Engineering, Materials Science, or Life Sciences.
- Significant experience leading R&D, product development, or innovation programmes within a regulated industry environment.
- Proven track record of delivering innovation pipelines from concept to commercial launch.
- Experience leading complex, cross-functional teams and influencing senior stakeholders across a global organisation.
- Strong understanding of regulatory, safety, and quality requirements, with the ability to balance technical excellence with commercial objectives.
- Experience managing external partners, suppliers, or innovation organisations, combined with strong strategic thinking and decision-making capability.
What We Offer
In return for playing a pivotal role in building our future:
- A comprehensive compensation package, including salary, bonus scheme, and additional benefits.
- Inspiring workplace environments and opportunities to collaborate with purpose.
- Career growth and learning at Imperial, where innovation occurs at pace.
- Contribution to our purpose: forging a healthier future for moments of relaxation and pleasure for our consumers.
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Diversity and Inclusion
Everyone belongs at Imperial. We are proud of being a truly inclusive organisation. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, nationalities, disabilities, sexual orientations, religions or beliefs, and neurodivergences. We give fair and equal consideration to all applicants.
Please contact recruitment@impbrands.com if we can assist with your application or interview process.
About Imperial Brands
We are a truly international company, the fourth largest in our industry, operating across 120 markets. A market-driven, innovative, FMCG business supported by 25,000 employees.
Our focus on transformation is driven by a challenger mindset—constantly questioning the status quo—so people can bring their best selves to work. Our agility, collaboration, and award-winning development programmes create exciting career opportunities while fostering:
- Inclusion at local levels
- Support for a robust diversity agenda globally
- An environment that celebrates and respects difference.
As a matter of policy, Imperial Brands or its subsidiaries never requests or requires payment as part of any recruitment process.
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