Innovation Commercialisation Manager

**Kō wai mātou? Who are we?**:
Zespri is more than simply the world’s single-largest marketer of kiwifruit. We like to think of ourselves as fruit on a mission and as rebels with a cause: to help people, communities and the environment around the world thrive through the goodness of kiwifruit. We are proudly the world’s largest marketer of kiwifruit, selling kiwifruit in more than 50 countries. We work with around 2,800 New Zealand and 1,500 international growers and post-harvest companies to source the best-quality Zespri Kiwifruit which we supply through our distribution partners to wholesale and retail customers. We are one of New Zealand’s best-known international brands, dedicated to creating sustainable long-term value for growers.

**He aha te mahi? What's the role?**:
This newly created role is responsible for driving best-practice innovation commercialisation framework development, as well as partner identification, onboarding and management for strategically important portfolios. The role will provide options and models into approaches to develop, validate and launch projects with innovation leaders, PMO and procurement team. The commercialisation manager will then lead the recommendation to the SteerCo to determine what programmes move to validation and commercialisation and the commercial approaches to be used. The Commercialisation Manager will facilitate and coordinate partnership development which will include, but are not limited to, academic institutions, industry bodies, government research groups, commercial organisations and the broader community.

The Innovation Commercialisation Manager is a global role reporting to the Head of Innovation Acceleration. This role can be located at Zespri’s Office in either Singapore or New Zealand (Mount Maunganui).

The core responsibilities of the role will include;
- Develop and continuously improve an overarching innovation commercialisation framework, working with the Innovation Intangible Asset Specialist and the broader organization.
- Lead the commercial planning discussions of project planning, working with the innovation leader to reach consensus on the overall recommendation to the SteerCo.
- Build relationships with world-class innovation partners relevant to Zespri, e.g. by attending conferences and exhibitions.
- Scan, screen and recommend what strategic partnerships should be undertaken, agree on final recommendations, and perform the recruitment and onboarding of new partners with the Innovation Managers.
- Engage government groups on potential partnership and/or investment opportunities, working with the external relations team.

**Ko wai koe? Who are you?**:
You will have experience in related roles, preferably within a business environment, science management, and commercialisation of innovations. You will also meet the following selection criteria:

- A Tertiary Qualification is required, preferably reflecting knowledge in business.
- 7+ years’ experience in managing innovation partnerships with successful operational outcomes.
- 7+ years’ experience in commercialising innovation outcomes with subsequent success post-launch.
- Functional experience in partnership management, including best practices
- Demonstrated broad strategic thinking / mental acuity to formulate and debate cohesive workplans.
- Strong organisational and project management skills within cross-functional, global teams with a track record of success.
- Strong relating and networking abilities, building long term relationships, managing conflict, gaining mutually beneficial outcomes, and team engagement.
- Growth mindset with personal flexibility and the capacity for driving or responding to change, dealing with ambiguity, and adapting to suit different circumstances / cultures, working across time-zones etc.
- Strong communication skills and capability to build and maintain effective internal and external stakeholder relationships.
- Experience in working with government agencies or research institutes would be advantageous.

**He aha e tika ai a Zespri? Why Zespri?**:
Our people are what makes our culture so irresistible and uniquely Zespri. We are a passionate and mighty team of 900+ employees in 23 different locations globally. Working at Zespri is an opportunity to join a fast-paced, culture-driven environment unlike any other. We want people who share our values of being personally connected, results-driven, and committed to guardianship. Join us in shaping our future and be part of a truly unique organisation.
- Competitive overall remuneration package, including a Short-Term Incentive scheme opportunity.
- FlexWELL flexible work ethos; WFH & the office.
- Additional paid annual leave day per year (Zespri Day).
- Additional paid volunteer day to volunteer within your community (Volunteer Time).
- Global Life and Permanent Disability Insurance.
- Group Medical Insurance benefits.

**Agency**:

- Where Zespri requires the support of an agency to f