Innovation Opportunity Manager, Open Innovation Studio

Company Description:

Avery Dennison (NYSE: AVY) is a global materials science company specializing in the design and manufacture of a wide variety of labeling and functional materials. The company’s products, which are used in nearly every major industry, include pressure-sensitive materials for labels and graphic applications; tapes and other bonding solutions for industrial, medical, and retail applications; tags, labels and embellishments for apparel; and radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions serving retail apparel and other markets. Headquartered in Glendale, California, the company employs more than 32,000 employees in more than 50 countries. Reported sales in 2020 were $7.0 billion. Learn more at www.averydennison.com.

Job Description:

As a global enterprise, Avery Dennison is strengthening our dedication to open innovation. We are seeking an Innovation Opportunity Manager identifies, evaluates and manages new innovation opportunities. This position connects Avery Dennison’s Label and Graphics Materials innovation ambitions to external solutions and capabilities to discover, develop and incubate new innovation opportunities. The incumbent will work closely with external universities/consortiums, internal technology scouts and the business, marketing and R&D teams to uncover, formulate and develop innovation opportunities.

A successful candidate demonstrates curiosity, creativity, and futuristic thinking about business possibilities that connect the present to the future and requires exceptional communication skills, and an innate ability to deal with ambiguity.

* Discover and incubate new business opportunities.

* Work directly with technology scouting and external collaborators in creation, validation and development of new technology, business models and strategic options.

* Lead the development of scouting briefs and, eventually, business strategies that explore options and detailed execution plans.

* Engage internal and external parties as needed to identify, explore and validate opportunities for business and technology platform development. Establish and build relationships with external companies, institutes and universities as needed to support efforts.

* Responsible for opportunity analysis and the development and execution of business development and new venture development plans. Identify and evaluate entirely “new to Avery” business prospects for consideration that fit within the vision and capabilities of the business. Identify and evaluate new opportunities building off of existing technologies to new or existing customers.

* Work with Marketing to formulate strategy and select key target markets. Identify prospective customers. Identify unmet customer needs. Work to identify products and processes needed to meet those needs.

* Lead deal structure, negotiations and flow for LOI/MOU, JDA, Commercial agreements and similar vehicles for collaboration.

* Participate in trade associations and technical conferences related to target market opportunities.

* Develop and manage a pipeline of innovation opportunities.

* Provide input to IP acquisition and strategy. Maintain knowledge of relevant industry and IP landscape.

* Provide exceptional customer experience for business partners and prospects to develop long-term business opportunities.

* Develop and maintain working relationships with business partners at all levels of the partner organizations.

* Navigate complex problems and structures to determine the best solutions including proposing new business models to support novel innovations

QUALIFICATIONS - KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS REQUIREMENTS

- Bachelor’s degree required. MBA preferred.

- 9+ years innovation, strategy, business development, marketing or other directly related experience.

- Strong Technical Aptitude

- Experience in negotiating and managing commercial deals and collaboration agreements

- A demonstrated track record in developing and executing new business opportunities.

- Strong curiosity, creativity, and futuristic thinking about business possibilities. Ability to deal with ambiguity.

- Passionate Entrepreneurial Drive.

- Proven networking, influencing and negotiation skills/experience.

- Strong financial skills and business acumen.

- Skilled in communicating effectively with all levels of management on complex business issues.

- Skilled in preparing professional written proposals.

- Excellent customer service, oral, written and presentation skills.

- High degree of ingenuity and creativity.

- Strong ability to work as part of a team.

- Global experience required.

- Ability to travel up to 30%.

Additional Information
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or other protected status. EEOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

If you require accommodations to view or apply for a job, alternative methods are available to submit an application. Please contact 440.534.6080 or jacqueline.williams@averydennison.com to discuss reasonable accommodations.