Assistant Manager - Technology Entrepreneur

Assistant Manager - Technology Entrepreneur(1 Year Fixed Term Contract) Based at Femography Dehiwala

MAS is Sri Lanka’s largest exporter and South Asia’s largest design-to-delivery solution providers in apparel and textile manufacturing. With a global community of 100,000, today, MAS spans across 13 countries with its portfolio expanding into wearable technology, FemTech, logistics and fabric parks worldwide. Over three decades, MAS has gained global recognition for its ethical and sustainable working environment as well as its impeccable craftsmanship and product excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the Disruptive Innovation portfolio by identifying and prioritizing opportunities aligned with Femography strategic growth areas, consumer needs and technology roadmap. Define project scope, objectives, success criteria and development plans, and recommend acceleration, redirection or termination based on evidence.
• Proactively scout and evaluate emerging technologies, materials, manufacturing processes, construction methods and scientific developments. Translate relevant opportunities into differentiated product and technology propositions.
• Lead concept development from early hypothesis through physical and virtual prototyping, testing and iterative development. Drive Technology Readiness Levels while ensuring technical performance, manufacturability, scalability and consumer relevance.
• Define appropriate technical hypotheses, validation plans and test methodologies.
• Guide interpretation of results, root cause analysis and development actions, challenging assumptions where required to ensure decisions are supported by robust evidence.
• Identify and develop relationships with technology providers, research institutes, universities, suppliers, startups and other external innovation partners. Lead collaborative development projects while ensuring clear objectives, deliverables and protection of interests.
• Proactively identify potentially protectable innovations arising from the Disruptive Innovation portfolio and work with relevant Intellectual Property stakeholders to assess patentability, competitive patent landscapes and freedom to operate considerations. Ensure confidentiality, ownership and Intellectual Property requirements are appropriately managed when engaging external partners, and use Intellectual Property insights to guide differentiated and defensible technology development.
• Translate complex technologies into compelling product and technology propositions that communicate consumer benefit, differentiation and commercial relevance.
• Lead technology presentations, demonstrations and technical discussions with customers and internal business teams.
• Ensure manufacturability, scalability, cost implications, supply chain requirements and potential risks are considered throughout the innovation process. Work with Product Development, Manufacturing, Sourcing, Technical, Design and Commercial teams to establish viable pathways towards commercialization.
• Own timelines, resources and budgets associated with the Disruptive Innovation portfolio. Monitor project expenditure and resource risks and support annual and medium term planning, budgeting and target setting for the Technology Innovation function.
• Lead, guide and develop team members within the Disruptive Innovation stream. Set clear expectations, provide technical and project guidance, review progress and coach team members to strengthen innovation, technical and commercial capabilities.

Knowledge and Skills:

• B.Sc. Degree in Textile & Apparel Engineering, Chemical or Material Science Engineering, or a relevant technical discipline.
• 5 to 7 years of relevant industry experience in technology development, product innovation, research and development, or related areas.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex innovation projects and guide team members.
• Technology scouting, product innovation and knowledge across multiple categories Project and innovation portfolio management.
• Strong analytical, experimental design and technical problem solving skills.
• Strong stakeholder management, influencing, communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to translate technical ideas into consumer facing, scalable innovations and influence key stakeholders to adopt and progress innovations towards launch.
• Business acumen with working knowledge of intellectual property, patent landscapes, freedom to operate and confidentiality considerations.