Director, Liquid Development, Anora Group Oyj
Anora is a leading Nordic wine and spirits brand house and a pioneer in sustainability, operating across the Nordic and Baltic regions, with exports to more than 30 countries worldwide. Our portfolio includes some of the region’s most iconic brands, such as Koskenkorva, Linie, O.P. Anderson, Blossa and Chill Out. Guided by our purpose, “Let’s drink better”, we combine strong brands, consumer-driven innovation and leadership in sustainability to create long-term growth and value.
We are looking for a commercially minded and inspiring Director of Liquid Development to lead Anora’s liquid development function and shape the future of our spirits portfolio. In this strategic leadership role, you will drive our liquid development strategy, lead a team of experienced experts, strengthen our innovation capabilities and ensure that our products continue to delight consumers whilst supporting Anora’s growth ambitions across the Nordics and beyond.
About the role
As Director, Liquid Development, you will be responsible for defining the vision, strategy and long-term roadmap for liquid innovation within Anora’s own spirits portfolio. You will lead a team of ten specialists and work closely with stakeholders across marketing, production, quality, supply chain, procurement and commercial functions.
The role combines strategic leadership, innovation management and people development. You will build future capabilities, ensure technical excellence and guide the development of new products and beverage concepts that strengthen Anora’s competitive position. The position is part of the Spirits Marketing & Innovation Management Team and reports to the Director, Own Spirits.
Your main responsibilities
- Develop and implement Anora’s liquid development strategy in line with business objectives.
- Lead, coach and develop a team of highly skilled liquid development professionals.
- Drive innovation by identifying consumer trends, emerging categories, new technologies and materials.
- Oversee product development projects from the initial concept through to commercialisation.
- Ensure that recipes, production methods and product documentation meet quality, compliance and business requirements.
- Coordinate the development and resourcing of the wine portfolio with the wine team
- Manage budgeting, prioritisation and resource allocation within the team.
- Build strong collaboration across marketing, production and commercial teams, as well as with external partners.
- Foster a culture that reflects Anora’s values: Courage to Explore, Energy to Inspire and Empowering to Win.
Our ideal candidate
You hold a master’s degree in food science, food technology, chemistry or a related field, combined with extensive experience in product development within the FMCG sector. You possess strong leadership skills and a strategic mindset, alongside a passion for hands-on work and consumer-centred development.
To succeed in this role, you have:
- 5–7+ years’ experience in senior new product development roles
- Experience leading experts and building high-performing teams.
- A strong knowledge of recipe development, sensory science and food and drink legislation.
- An understanding of industrial food and/or beverage production processes.
- Commercial acumen and the ability to link innovation with business growth.
- Experience of working in international environments.
- Excellent communication skills and full professional proficiency in English.
Experience in the wider drinks industry, covering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including the ready-to-drink and ready-to-serve categories, is considered an advantage. Experience in the areas of regulation, packaging and sustainability would be beneficial.
What we offer
This is a unique opportunity to play a key role in one of the Nordic region’s leading wine and spirits companies. You will have a direct influence on Anora’s future portfolio and innovation strategy whilst working with iconic brands, talented colleagues and a broad network of internal and external stakeholders.
We offer:
- A strategic and highly visible leadership role.
- An opportunity to help shape the future of liquid innovation and develop new products at a leading Nordic company.
- Responsibility for a team of experienced and passionate experts.
- An international and collaborative working environment.
- Strong growth ambitions and a culture that encourages ownership, innovation and continuous improvement.
- Preferred location is Rajamäki, Finland, but other locations are also possible.
Interested?
If you’re keen to drive innovation, build high-performing teams and create the next generation of successful beverage products, we’d love to hear from you.
For further information, please contact Equita Talent Partners:
Yrsa Landsdorff, tel. +358 44 585 1468, yrsa@equitatalent.com or
Tiina Joronen, tel. +358 40 539 9058, tiina@equitatalent.com
Please submit your application and CV as soon as possible, as we will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis.
Join Anora and help bring the best of the Nordics to the world.
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