Digital Transformation Lead & Product Owner for Innovation & Research (Senior Manager)

Are you ready to lead the digital transformation of science, technology, and innovation at Arla?

“You will play a decisive role in shaping how we harness digital tools to drive end-to-end innovation across our business. This is your chance to set a bold digital direction, working collaboratively to deliver real impact

How you will make an impact

As the Digital Innovation Transformation Lead, you will spearhead the digital transformation agenda across Science, Technology & Innovation. You will drive the development and execution of our digital strategy, roadmap, change journey and ensure that digital solutions are developed aligned with business needs and ambitions. You will lead key projects, manage critical digital developments, and empower teams to deliver on our transformation goals.

Key responsibilities include:

• Acting as the lead for digital transformation across research & innovation, including developing an ambitious digital strategy and roadmap.
• Identifying and maturing key digital priorities (epics, features) for both the short and long term (2026–2030+).
• Acting as solution and product owner (PO) for digital solutions and tools, ensuring business needs are aligned and value is delivered.
• Driving the change journey (ADKAR) and building a digital organization, digital capabilities and committed stakeholders
• Leading a team of IT professionals and data analysts to deliver on our digital transformation ambitions.

The role will be part of a wider digital lead community across Arla working to bring digital transformation across the company. Hence, you will collaborate closely with the digital community, leadership teams and colleagues from Research & Innovation, and off the IT development team and it’s scrum master. This is a permanent, senior role with full empowerment to deliver on our transformation ambitions.

What will make you successful

We are looking for a candidate with a proven track record of leading digital transformation, from strategy definition to execution, ideally in research and innovation environments. Further:

• Experience as a Product Owner in agile development with strong IT and agile framework (SAFe) understanding.
• Strong understanding of digital tools, trends, and innovation processes, and an ability to translate business needs into IT requirements.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to build positive relations across stakeholders.
• A strategic and visionary mindset, ready to champion digital innovation and drive a step-change in how we work.

Key personal qualities:

• Decisive and ambitious, able to create direction and drive change.
• Strong leadership presence with a collaborative approach.
• Inspirational and able to motivate others to realise digital potential.
• Adaptable and open to continuous improvement
• Inquisitive and curious when it comes to digital tools, AI and its business opportunities

What do we offer?

We’re committed to professional development and promoting from within. Our positive and collaborative culture will bring out the best in you. You’ll join a market leader producing nutritious household-favourite brands in a way that makes things better for our customers, the farmers who own us, and the world. At Arla, you’ll be empowered to shape digital innovation and drive meaningful change.

Would you like to join us?

If you want to facilitate innovation and help shape the future of digital transformation at Arla, then seize this exciting opportunity. Please apply as soon as possible as we will process applications on a continuous basis and close the recruitment once the right candidate is found. For additional information, please contact Hiring Manager, Director of Innovation Excellence, Strategy & Portfolio, Rikke Biltoft at +45 9131 2896 (will be on vacation from 7th of July to 3rd of August).