Innovation Excellence Manager

Would you like to join a global, growing company that innovates for a more sustainable tomorrow? UPM could be the team for you. We are frontrunners in developing renewable alternatives to fossil-based materials. Besides enabling both businesses and consumers make more sustainable choices, we strive to create a positive UPM experience for all our employees around the world. We live by our values - trust and be trusted, achieve together, renew with courage. Together we can renew the everyday, for a future beyond fossils! 

Learn more about us as a workplace upm.com/careers

We are now looking for a Global Innovation Excellence Manager to join our team Product Development and Innovation team. The position will be located in our Innovation Hub in Poland (Nowa Wieś Wrocławska) or in Finland (Tampere).

Greetings from your future manager

"Our Product Development & Innovation team is crucial for UPM Raflatac competitiveness in a rapidly evolving world. Innovation is our main motivation, enabling us to meet and exceed customer expectations and achieve efficient growth. We are excited to welcome you as a Global Innovation Excellence Manager who is ready to make a significant impact. Join us in this exciting journey, and let's shape the future together!" - Tanja Störmer, Vice President, Product Development & Innovations.

What you'll do

• Lead and manage key strategic innovation programs for UPM Adhesive Materials

•  Ensure clear governance, decision readiness, and cross‑functional execution across Product Development & Innovation, Business, and Operations

•  Build and maintain a transparent, data‑driven innovation portfolio with harmonized metrics and reporting

•  Oversee and further develop KPIs and insights to facilitate prioritization and resource allocation and transparent, data-driven decision making

•  Strengthen innovation processes, tools, and stage‑gate methodologies for consistent execution quality

•  Drive digitalization and AI integration into innovation workflows (e.g., automated reporting, predictive insights)

•  Improve project data quality and ensure standardized documentation and processes across Product Development & Innovation

• Support capability development and foster an innovation excellence culture across UPM Adhesive Materials

Who you are

• You have Master's degree or equivalent qualifications in Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Business, or related field

• You have 5 - 7+ years of experience in a business, strategy or technical role

• You have proven ability to lead complex, cross‑functional projects/programs in global industrial environments

• You have strong understanding of innovation processes, stage‑gate methods, and portfolio governance

• You have experience with data analytics, dashboards, and interest in AI-supported workflows

• You have excellent communication and stakeholder management across technical and commercial teams

• You have experience in adhesive and coating technologies, packaging industry or Chemical engineering beneficial

• You are fluent in English

This is what we offer to you

• A meaningful job: We have an inspiring purpose "We renew the everyday for a future beyond fossils". Our work is impactful and transformative. 

• A caring community: Our community is built on great team spirit and shared commitment. We care about each other and the well-being of our colleagues. We support the work-life balance of all our employees. 

• Development opportunities: We offer you great opportunities to learn and grow throughout your career.  We are an international, multi-business organization offering plenty of avenues for personal growth. 

• Responsible employer: Sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to ambitious, science-based sustainability targets in all areas from climate change to biodiversity. We foster diversity and inclusivity, offering a work environment in which everyone can be themselves.

Learn about our Rewarding and our Ways of working

Additional information 

The position holder will report to Vice president, Product Development & Innovations.

Travel requirements may extend up to 25%; flexibility to travel is preferred.

Please apply via the link above and attach your CV in English (and optionally a cover letter) latest by April 13 2026.

We review applications already during the application period, and you may be contacted already before the application deadline.

For support with submitting your application, please contact HR Service Center at [email protected] or tel. +48123999499.

If you have any concerns about the recruitment and selection process, you can report those online through the UPM Report Misconduct channel using the link:

https://www.upm.com/investors/governance/compliance/reportmisconduct/

UPM Adhesive Materials (previously UPM Raflatac) offers high-quality self-adhesive paper and film products including label materials, graphics solutions and removable self-adhesive products. We operate 12 factories and deliver our innovative and sustainable products through our global network of distribution terminals. We are one of UPM's growth businesses and employ around 3,100 people. Our sales reached almost EUR 1,5 billion (USD 1,6 billion) in 2023. Find out how we are labeling a smarter future beyond fossils at www.upmraflatac.com.

If you wish to get more insight about who we are, check out this page! 

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