Opella PURPOSE AND ASPIRATION

Opella is the self-care challenger with the purest and third-largest portfolio in the Over-The-Counter (OTC) & Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements (VMS) market globally.  

Our mission is to bring health in people's hands by making self-care as simple as it should be. For half a billion consumers worldwide – and counting.

At the core of this mission is our 100 loved brands, our 11,000-strong global team, our 13 best-in-class manufacturing sites and 4 specialized science and innovation development centers. Headquartered in France, Opella is the proud maker of many of the world's most loved brands, including Allegra, Buscopan, Doliprane, Dulcolax, Enterogermina, Essentiale and Mucosolvan. 

As a globally certified B Corp company, we are active players in the journey towards healthier people and planet.  Find out more about our mission at

"Join us on our mission. Health. In your hands."

JOB PURPOSE

• The Research and Development Lead will be accountable for the end-to-end ideation to launch of innovation projects for Pain brand Eve, and Cough & Cold Brand S Tac in Japan in close collaboration with Japan Brand & Innovation leads. The incumbent will act as the R&D representative of Eve and S. Tac within Japan and support the strategic direction of the brand & innovation team & allocate resources in Japan to prioritized opportunities

KEY RESULTS/ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Accountable to ideate, develop and deliver R&D pipeline for local brands to meet agreed innovation sales targets in line with brand strat plan

• Accountable to deliver portfolio for brands balancing short, medium & long term R&D projects that utilize claims, NPD, clinicals and packaging innovation with sustainability

• Accountable to ensure delivery of fewer, bigger innovation projects partnering with Brand and Innovation team to strengthen our projects through consumer based insights

• Design and Deliver pipeline for local brands based on differentiated science

• Strong partnership with IPM to ensure execution on time and in budget

• Define R&D capability needed for future pipeline and propose to leadership team

• Strong cross functional team work to ensure that innovation pipeline is delivered

• Accountable to ensure that all base business protection projects for local brands are identified and prioritized based on risk

• Ensure that a strong external technology network is being used to deliver & accelerate differentiated technology opportunities

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Science Head for AMEA/China Regions; Japan Brand and Innovation Heads/Leads; technical development teams/New Product Development (NPD) centers; Portfolio & PM, M&S including EM; Packaging Innovation, Science Hub Japan, Medical, Regulatory, Quality, legal/IP

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Degree in Science or Higher degree (Ph.D.) or relevant Academic qualification is desirable.

Required knowledge and/or experience

• R&D experience (at least 10 years) in pharmaceutical, FMCG, consumer healthcare and/or Cosmetics industry is required

• Experience in OTC drugs innovation and new product development (at least 5 years) is a significant plus

• Strong science leader who can translate consumer insights into brand led pipelines

• Experience of R&D with proven track record delivering innovation to brands

• Experience in risk discussions and risk mitigation plans

• Experience in developing integrated plans & budget for all innovation programs in the region (for all projects in his/her scope)

• Experience in identifying and leveraging external partnerships, suppliers, providers, key opinion leaders, etc., to influence innovation for the Japan local brands

• Experience in influencing and advising key stakeholders & the leadership team on industry trends and new opportunities for local brands

• Experience in E2E innovation, together with Project Managers, from ideation to launch of the innov. pipeline

• Familiar with the scope of innovations: BD opportunities, NPD, claims with significant impact that need clinicals, novel ingredients & formulation technologies, sustainable solutions

• Knowledge and experience of understanding brand strategy, consumer insights, and translating consumer needs/problems into science solutions to build sustainable pipelines

• Knowledge of Japanese drug, health Food and medical devices regulations

• Ability to partner and influence across a matrix environment with strong communication skills

Language skills

• Fluent spoken and written Japanese

• Fluent spoken and written English

Required Leadership Competencies

• Business Acumen – Ability to effectively use economic, financial, market, stakeholder, and industry-specific indicators to fully understand and improve business results

• Judgement- The ability to draw logical conclusions based on acquired information and analytical rigor in problem-solving, the ability to make effective decisions even when information is ambiguous or incomplete

• Interpersonal relationships - treating others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect.

• Personal Leadership - Personal leadership translates into courage, choice, and commitment through the pursuit of excellence, trust, and accountability.  Ability to put patient, stakeholder, and organizational interests above personal interests

• Drive -Takes the lead and initiates activities with a high degree of passion and commitment as well as the drive, desire and need to achieve challenging goals, to improve performance or to meet personal standards of excellence

• Learning Agility – Ability to navigate first time/unfamiliar situations effectively by extrapolating from other areas of expertise and knowledge. Ability to continuously improve and develop self