The Absolut Company, Pernod Ricard

The Absolut Company has the worldwide responsibility for the production and marketing of ABSOLUT VODKA, MALIBU, KAHLÚA, Wyborowa and Frïs.

– ABSOLUT VODKA is the world’s fourth largest premium spirits brand. Every bottle of ABSOLUT VODKA is produced in Åhus in southern Sweden.

– MALIBU is the number one coconut-flavoured rum in the world, sold in more than 150 countries.

– Kahlúa coffee liqueur is the world leader in its category.

As of July 2008, The Absolut Company is a company within the Pernod Ricard group, which holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the spirit sector. The head office is located in Stockholm, Sweden. 500 employees. Pernod Ricard employs 18,000 employees throughout the world.

Company culture and values:

– Creative self directed entrepreneurs: Combination of risk-taking and individual initiative, with strategic thinking and out of the box mind set. In order to drive commercial outperformance now and in the future, we are creative/disruptive, to become a lifestyle brand, and successfully execute in our distribution channels.

– Transparency: Transparency and honesty in everything we do.

– Responsibility: As a spirits brand owner, we recognize the impact of what we do and take our responsibility in all areas we operate.

– Conviviality: Good interpersonal relationships and happy to socialize, teamwork.

– Our promise: Convert creativity into cash.

Department concerned:

Absolut Marketing Team – Absolut Innovation Team. The Absolut Marketing Team comprises 6 different teams reporting to the VP Marketing Absolut:

– Innovation

– Brand Strategy

– Trade Marketing

– Story Telling

– Experiences

– Broadcast.

Specific context of the recruitment:

Main Purpose of the department:

Deliver and execute “stretch” innovation programs to support defined brand objectives.

Overall responsibility:

We are currently looking for a Global Innovation Manager to join the Absolut Innovation Team, a highly innovative and entrepreneurial team working closely together and cross-department to ignite growth and strengthen the brand. The position reports into the Innovation Director for Absolut.

The Global Innovation Manager will initiate and lead projects. This will include identifying new areas of opportunity and project lead from idea generation, concept development throughout industrialization. The responsibility also includes data analysis, consumer research and building business cases as well as close collaboration with various creative agencies.

Required skills:

• Strong business acumen – understanding the full value chain (from product development, production as well as go to market both from a consumer and trade perspective)

• Turn a strong curiosity and innovative mindset into tangible relevant business proposals/opportunities

• Sense of urgency and target orientation – capacity to deliver significant output under tight deadlines

• Exceptional project management/leadership skills – highly structured ways of working

• Collaborate efficiently and thrive in a cross-functional and multi-layered organization

• Strong communication and convincing skills and ability to inspire stakeholders on all levels in the organization

• Ability to think strategically as well as energetic hands-on operational capabilities

• Comfortable in challenging conventions

• Genuine passion for the spirit and entertainment category (Loves to go out dining, drinking and clubbing etc.)

• Geographical flexibility and ability to travel frequently (long and short haul)

• Fluency in English.

Experience:

• Masters Degree in Business

• Minimum 4-6 years relevant business experience from the consumer goods sector from an international organization

• Development of new compelling business models

• Consumer insight gathering

• Concept development

• Brand Management and Sales

• Experience from the US market is a great advantage (work, studies etc.).

Job location: Stockholm.

For more information, please contact Linus Andersson at linus.andersson@headagent.se, +4673-735 29 02 or Ellinor Ohlin at ellinor.ohlin@headagent.se, +46708-67 67 55.