Innovation Manager

Illinois Tool Works (ITW) (NYSE: ITW) is a Fortune 200 global multi-industrial manufacturing leader with revenues totaling $16 billion. The company's seven industry-leading segments leverage the unique ITW Business Model to drive solid growth with best-in-class margins and returns in markets where highly innovative, customer-focused solutions are required.

ITW has approximately 50,000 dedicated colleagues in operations around the world who thrive in the company's unique, decentralized, and entrepreneurial culture. 

Our team members are essential in developing innovative methods of continuous improvement, exceptional customer service, and a safe work environment. We believe having a diverse and inclusive team enables us to better serve our customers and contributes to the continued overall success of our organization.

This position is within ITW’s Zip-Pak division.  Zip-Pak is the global leader in resealable solutions for the flexible packaging industry.  Our expertise in zipper, application technology, and packaging systems makes Zip-Pak the primary choice of brand owners, OEM’s, and converters for innovative resealable solutions.  Zip-Pak’s lean, modern, and continuous manufacturing environments produce zippers using high-volume plastic extrusion.  Manufacturing sites are in the United States, Europe, and South America. 

Role Summary: 

As part of ITW Zip-Pak’s growth strategy and in alignment with ITW’s Enterprise Strategy Next Phase: growth through Innovation, we are enhancing our Engineer Manager role and changing to Innovation Manager, by focusing the structure on Innovation and adding Product Manager to the team. The team will also support the technical needs of Zip-Pak operations, looking for process improvements, efficiency increases and cost reductions. The Innovation Manager will report to the Global Marketing and Innovation Director.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead Zip-Pak Innovation initiatives addressing “80” customer pain points and market trends. The primary responsibility is to own and manage Customer Back Innovation (CBI) process, going through all the phases of ITW CBI Playbook (from Discovery to Deploy). This role will learn the Customer Pain Points, Market Trends and product lifecycle, what initiatives we can do to address them and defend/differentiate our current portfolio, find solutions through cross-functional team Brainstorming, support Go To Market Strategy to Deploy meaningful products to the Market.

The Innovation structure has a team of Engineers that does the product design from concept to final production (develop the DIEs with 3D and flow modelling software, do trial at our lab and/or production, and quality reviews/analysis). A Product Manager is also part of the Innovation team, driving innovation initiatives through collecting customer pain points, market trends, product lifecycle analysis, competitor reviews and Go To Market Strategy.

This individual will also be responsible for working collaboratively with the division leadership teams to deliver and support our business goals for Organic Growth (Sales and Innovation initiatives), 80/20 operational excellence, zero safety incidents and an inclusive and diverse workplace.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manage CBI process, ensuring that the engineers team are on track in each project, attaining budget expectations, customer needs, product costs, and quality performance.
• Partner with Sales team and Strategic Marketing Manager to review 80 Markets Trends, 80 Customers pain points, Grow Opportunities, and Defend/Improve 80 product needs. Review outcomes/opportunities, align them to Zip-Pak’s Strategic Intent, prepare a project overview (specs, investment, timeline, objectives) for committee approval. After approval, prioritize innovation pipeline, and manage project.
• Work with Operations and Service team on the deploy stage, ensuring that they are prepared and trained to attend new product production needs and customer requirements.
• Partner with Operations on projects to improve production process, efficiency, quality and any other opportunities that will defirentiate Zip-Pak product line.
• Manage Quad/Quartiles reviews, pricing recommendations, do competitive analysis, Manage product portfolio, looking for simplification opportunities and ensuring those actions are done.
• Own the creation, validation and messaging of product value propositions through understanding of market and customer requirements.
• Using the ITW Leadership developing framework, develop high performing Innovation team through the process of organization design, competency development and the recruiting, hiring and developing of talent to maximize individual and team success.
• Fosters a culture of engagement and inclusivity, cascades a vision, and creates goal alignment.

Position Skills and Experience Requirements:

• B.S./B.A. degree required from four-year College or equivalent experiences, Master’s Degree a plus.
• 10+ years of progressive business experience including at least 3-5 years of project management and/or product development experience. 
• 5+ years’ experience with standards and product development activities coupled with proven track record of innovation in a specialty or similar industry – from identifying market opportunities to commercializing solutions with proven success and revenue growth.
• Proven track record of establishing relationships at manager, director, or VP levels.
• Outstanding project manager of cross functional teams who can provide leadership and discipline through product development process that carefully balances time-to-market with project risk to achieve results. 
• Solid financial abilities including working knowledge of budgeting, sales and business development tools.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to build consensus and gain internal alignment across different stakeholder groups – cross functional team, division management teams and executive leadership. 
• Entrepreneurial spirit coupled with a strategic, forward-thinking approach to business growth.  Sound 80/20 mindset, understanding and demonstrated experience.

Special Requirements:

Position requires travel of 20-25%. Must be able to travel internationally, if required.

ITW offers its employees a path for advancement, a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefits package designed to help employees care for themselves, their families, and their futures.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

ITW is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We do not accept unsolicited resumes. To be considered an applicant, please apply online to a specific job posting.

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ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. 

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.  

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. 

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.