Head of External Innovation GCR

Summary

The role is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and activating external innovation opportunities that support Bühler’s long-term growth ambitions. The successful candidate will build and manage a high-quality ecosystem of startups, venture capital firms, corporate innovation networks, universities, research institutions, industry partners, and government-backed innovation platforms.
This position is intended for an exceptional individual with the capability and ambition to develop into a senior innovation leadership position within Bühler in the future.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop and execute Bühler’s external innovation and ecosystem strategy for China, aligned with the company’s strategic priorities and growth initiatives.
• Identify emerging technologies, innovative business models, and market opportunities that could create future competitive advantages for Bühler.
• Build and maintain a high-quality innovation ecosystem comprising startups, venture capital and corporate venture capital firms, universities, research institutions, incubators, accelerators, industry associations, corporate innovation networks, and government-backed innovation platforms.
• Position Bühler as an attractive and trusted partner within China’s innovation ecosystem.
• Source external innovation opportunities with strategic relevance to Bühler.
• Evaluate technologies, business models, and partnership opportunities from technical, commercial, and strategic perspectives.
• Develop robust business cases and recommendations to support management decision-making.
• Structure and manage different forms of collaboration, including innovation partnerships, joint development projects, pilot projects, strategic alliances, and venture collaborations.
• Support investment-related assessments when relevant.
• Manage the innovation opportunity pipeline from scouting and evaluation through validation and implementation.
• Track innovation initiatives, manage multiple opportunities simultaneously, and communicate progress and recommendations to senior management.
• Ensure that relevant insights, learnings, and innovation opportunities are effectively transferred into Bühler’s business units.
• Work closely with Corporate Technology—including Digital, AI, and Sustainability teams—Business Areas and Business Units, Corporate Strategy, and regional and global leadership teams.
• Facilitate alignment between external innovation opportunities and internal business needs.
• Build bridges between Chinese and international innovation ecosystems and lead innovation initiatives across regions and functions.
• Initiate pilot projects and external collaborations that demonstrate measurable business value.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Engineering, Science, Technology, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, or a related discipline.
• An MBA or investment-related qualification is an advantage.
• At least eight years of experience in one or more of the following areas:
  • Venture Capital
  • Corporate Venture Capital
  • Innovation Management
  • Technology Scouting
  • Corporate Strategy
  • Business Development
  • Startup Ecosystem Development
• Proven track record of identifying emerging opportunities, assessing innovative technologies, building external partnerships, and leading cross-functional initiatives.
• Experience working with organizations outside China, particularly in Europe or North America, is strongly preferred.
• Experience in a large international or multinational corporation is strongly preferred.
• Exposure to both startup environments and corporate decision-making processes is highly desirable.
• Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to identify future trends and emerging technologies and connect external developments with business strategy.
• Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to assess market attractiveness, scalability, strategic fit, and business impact.
• Ability to translate innovation opportunities into tangible value creation and develop compelling business cases.
• Strong ecosystem-development and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across complex innovation networks.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive alignment without relying on direct authority.
• Strong execution capability, with the ability to move opportunities from idea to validation and implementation while managing multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Excellent cross-cultural collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively across global teams.
• Native or fluent Mandarin Chinese and excellent business English communication skills.
• Confident engaging and communicating with senior executives globally.
• Strong leadership potential, entrepreneurial mindset, and high learning agility.
• Capability and ambition to grow into a senior innovation leadership role within Bühler, either in China or internationally.