Head of Product Innovation & Strategic Market Intelligence, Asia

Our Client

Our client is a leading international home improvement and consumer lifestyle retail group with a broad product portfolio and a well-established Asian sourcing network.

The group is investing in stronger product innovation and market intelligence capabilities to identify emerging product opportunities, strengthen its competitive positioning and accelerate the development of its international product portfolio.

We are seeking a commercially minded leader to establish a dedicated product innovation and strategic intelligence function in Asia.

Key Responsibilities

Product Innovation & Opportunity Identification

• Identify emerging products, technologies and innovations across China and other key Asian markets.

• Explore product opportunities that could enhance the group's existing portfolio or introduce new categories and product concepts.

• Evaluate existing product ranges and identify opportunities for upgrades, differentiation and innovation.

• Translate regional innovation developments into commercially relevant opportunities for international markets.

• Collaborate with product development, sourcing and other functions to assess the feasibility and commercial potential of new product ideas.

Strategic Market & Competitive Intelligence

• Establish a structured market intelligence capability covering product trends, competitive developments and evolving sourcing landscapes.

• Monitor direct and indirect competitors, including their product portfolios, sourcing strategies and market positioning.

• Analyze emerging business models, supplier capabilities and industry developments.

• Identify shifts in the Asian manufacturing and sourcing landscape that could influence future product and sourcing strategies.

• Turn complex market information into clear, actionable business insights for senior management.

Product Portfolio & Commercial Strategy

• Work closely with international stakeholders to identify gaps and opportunities within the existing product portfolio.

• Connect Asian product innovation with international market needs and commercial priorities.

• Support strategic discussions on product differentiation, innovation and future category development.

• Develop business cases and recommendations to support product and portfolio decisions.

Cross-functional Leadership & Transformation

• Establish and develop a dedicated innovation and intelligence capability, complementing the existing sourcing organization.

• Build strong relationships with sourcing, product development, quality and international commercial teams.

• Facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration between Asia and international headquarters.

• Create an agile and forward-looking approach to identifying and evaluating new business opportunities.

Candidate Profile

• Extensive experience in product innovation, product development, strategic sourcing, private label or market intelligence.

• Background in international retail, consumer goods, home improvement, lifestyle products or global sourcing organizations.

• Strong understanding of Asian product development, supplier capabilities and manufacturing ecosystems.

• Demonstrated ability to identify emerging product opportunities and translate market insights into business recommendations.

• Commercial mindset combined with an understanding of product development and supply chain execution.

• Strong analytical, strategic thinking and stakeholder management capabilities.

• Experience working with international headquarters and multicultural teams.

• Fluent English and Chinese.

Experience across multiple product categories and exposure to international private-label development would be advantageous.

The Opportunity

An opportunity to establish a strategic capability that connects Asian product innovation, market intelligence and international commercial decision-making, contributing to the future development of a global retail product portfolio.