Innovation Center Manager

Alfa Laval´s Energy Division is looking for an Innovation Center Manager

Every day, we get opportunities to make a positive impact – on our colleagues, partners, customers and society. Together, we’re pioneering the solutions of the future and unlocking the full potential of precious resources. Trusted to act on initiative, we challenge conventional thinking to develop world-leading technologies that inspire progress in vital areas, including energy, food, water and shipping. As we push forward, the innovative, open spirit that fuels our 140-year-old start-up culture and rapid growth also drives our personal growth. So, as we shape a more resourceful, less wasteful world, we build our careers too.

About Energy Division´s Innovation Center

Alfa Laval’s Energy Division Innovation Center brings together technical expertise, collaboration, and innovation to support the development of future energy solutions. Working closely with colleagues across research, development, engineering, and product organizations, the center explores new technologies, materials, and methods that contribute to reliable, high-performing products for customers. Its activities cover early-stage innovation, materials expertise, product development, performance evaluation, and technical problem-solving. By combining scientific knowledge with practical application, the Innovation Center helps transform ideas into valuable solutions while fostering continuous learning and professional development.

About the job

As Innovation Center Manager, you will lead the development of a new, integrated organization within Alfa Laval’s Energy Division, you will shape the Innovation center’s strategic direction and create the conditions for effective collaboration and knowledge sharing across the organization. You will be responsible for defining and implementing the Innovation Center’s governance, operating structure, while setting plans for investments and future capabilities that are key enablers for Energy Division Technology Leadership.

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The role offers the opportunity to build an environment that connects internal expertise with external capabilities and supports the development of future energy solutions. You will work closely with stakeholders across the business to understand strategic priorities and ensure that the Innovation Center develops the expertise, partnerships, and resources required to support them. Through your leadership, you will help establish a strong organizational culture, encourage new approaches, and enable the center to deliver meaningful value to Alfa Laval and its customers.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and implement the Innovation Center’s governance model, operating structure, and common processes.
• Establish medium- and long-term plans, including investment priorities and future capability requirements.
• Translate business and customer needs into clear priorities for the Innovation Center’s activities.
• Maintain effective dialogue with business stakeholders, product development teams, R&D, and other relevant functions.
• Promote employee engagement, professional development, and collaboration across teams and with team managers.
• Support the introduction of new methodologies, technologies, and approaches that enhance innovation and technical performance.
• Ensure that safety, regulatory compliance, and applicable internal requirements are consistently addressed in the organization’s activities.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with universities, research institutions, laboratories, and other external partners.
• Monitor and report on key projects, investments, partnerships, and events through appropriate governance forums.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and ensure that relevant knowledge and lessons learned are shared across the organization.

You will be based in Lund, Sweden and will report to the Business Unit President.

What You Know

You hold a Master’s or PhD degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline, combined with broad engineering experience and the ability to integrate knowledge across diverse technical fields. You have extensive managerial experience, including responsibility for leading managers and developing high-performing teams. With strong business acumen, you understand how technical innovation can support customer value, operational performance, and sustainable business growth. You are able to translate business needs and strategic priorities into clear development plans for the Innovation Center, identify the information most relevant to guiding its activities, and simplify complex matters into clear direction and practical action. 

Who You Are

You are a proactive and collaborative leader who builds strong networks and actively engages the right people at the right time. You listen carefully and communicate clearly, structurally, and with impact across all organizational levels and with both internal and external stakeholders. You are an experienced change leader who empowers and motivates people during periods of transition, while demonstrating ownership, energy, and a positive attitude. Agile and adaptable, you remain confident and resilient in ambiguous or challenging circumstances and provide stability and direction as the organization develops.

What’s in it for you?

We offer a challenging position in an open and innovative environment where we help each other to develop and create value. Your work will have a true impact on a sustainable future and Alfa Laval’s future success.

Assessment practicalities     

We care about diversity, inclusion, and equity in our recruitment processes. We also believe behavioral traits can provide important insights into a candidate's fit to a role. To help us achieve this we apply Pymetrics assessments, and upon application you will be invited to play the assessment games. Playing the games is mandatory.      

As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and secure workplace, we conduct background checks on final candidates for this role.    

Alcohol and drug testing  

As part of Alfa Laval’s commitment to a safe and healthy workplace, alcohol and drug testing are applied during the pre-employment process.  

For further information please contact:

Tanja Sukaj, Talent Acquisition Partner, [email protected]

For union information, please contact:    
Monica Anderberg, Unionen, at [email protected]   

Johan Ranhög, Akademikerna at Johan.Ranhö[email protected]   

Stefan Sandell, Ledarna at [email protected]  

Claes Kronsell, IF Metall,  [email protected]

Submit your application as soon as possible, and no later than 30th of November 2026, as we are reviewing candidates on an ongoing basis. We are conducting a continuous review of the applications received. We do not accept applications via email, due to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).