Innovation Support Manager

Innovation Support Manager

We have an exciting opportunity for an Innovation Support Manager to join our digital team in Compass Group UK&I.

Reporting to the Customer Experience & Innovation Lead, you will be responsible for supporting the onboarding, delivery, and evaluation of various Proof Of Concept technologies as defined by the UK&I Digital Labs Innovation process.

As a manager proficient with technology and innovation, you will work with some of the most prestigious client brands and locations across our UK&I sectors. Engaging with the wider Digital team, stakeholders, sector operations teams, and vendors, you will support the Customer Experience & Innovation Lead to determine & advise what are the best digital solutions that will excite our customers, driving efficiency & profitability.

You will use data and analysis techniques to define improvements to our existing technology stack, support the delivery of POC projects, aid in the creation of delivery plans, cost estimates, marketing material, and ensure that information on the innovation portal is kept up to date.

The wider UK Digital & Technology team is based out of Rubery near Birmingham. As a collaborative team, you will be seen as an active contributor working closely with our product team, deployment team, and business partners.

There will be a requirement to visit sites and office locations across the UK&I as needed. You will also be expected to attend client sites, vendors, or the office a minimum of two days per week.

The Role

1. Support the delivery of POC technology trials. Work with the Innovation Lead and wider digital team to ensure all projects are delivered to plan. Manage and mitigate risk, ensuring all accountable stakeholders are aligned and communicated to.
2. Support and analyze technology functionality and trials. Troubleshoot and enable local configurations as required.
3. Identify and recommend "best fit" digital solutions to the Innovation Lead & Digital Director.
4. Support Innovation Lead at Digital Labs & Cauldron events.
5. Responsible for the upkeep of POC plans, trackers, marketing material, and general POC admin, including Cauldron Tracker and project reporting tools. Support Innovation Lead with reporting requirements.
6. Develop and build processes enabling faster, more agile deployments of POC technologies. Actively contribute to the strategy helping to streamline timeline, process, and overhead for the POC.
7. Work closely with Product Managers to ensure technologies meet onboarding criteria, have passed due diligence, and are suitable for integration to Time 2 Eat and other Digital team strategy.
8. Act as the gatekeeper and point of contact for all POC queries. Work with Innovation Lead to grow relationships, maintain, and establish regular touch points and oversee direct communication process.
9. Support Innovation Lead and sector teams to build relationships with third-party suppliers to support and enable technology trials. Ensure all key milestones and operational considerations are met and aligned to Digital and sector requirements.
10. Support Innovation Lead by demonstrating POC technologies both remotely and in person.
11. Develop reports to monitor product health, ensuring KPIs are being met.

Skills & Experience - about you

1. Passionate about how new technology can improve customer experience and increase Compass Group profitability.
2. Self-starter, driven to achieve results.
3. High degree of emotional intelligence and listening skills.
4. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
5. User-centric mentality.
6. Experience of vendor/partner management.
7. Proven operational mobilization experience - hands-on and ability to work proactively.
8. Strong presentation and collaboration skills.
9. Builds rapport and experience in customer success.
10. Must be a great team player.