Vice President, Innovation

The Marmon Group LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k matching

Medical/dental/vision benefits

Global exposure

Job summary

The Marmon Group LLC, part of Marmon Holdings backed by Berkshire Hathaway, seeks a visionary Vice President of Innovation to accelerate growth across its 150 operating companies. You will shape strategy, drive new product development, and forge partnerships with universities and technology providers to deliver measurable business outcomes.

You will influence senior leadership across a decentralized organization, build capabilities, and manage a portfolio of innovation programs with a strong

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive leadership in innovation, engineering, product development, or R&D.
• Experience leading innovation across multiple business units and geographic regions.
• Experience in industrial manufacturing, automation, or related sectors.

Responsibilities

• Identify emerging technologies, market trends, and customer needs to shape portfolio strategy.
• Establish best practices for stage-gate development, commercialization, and ROI tracking.
• Lead external partnerships, due diligence, and strategic investments in technology.
• Foster an innovation culture with communities of practice and leadership development.
• Develop and monitor annual innovation scorecards and performance reviews.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Portfolio management

Innovation strategy

Stakeholder influence

Technical depth (engineering/industry)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Technology

Master's or Doctoral degree preferred

Job description

The Marmon Group LLC As a part of the global industrial organization Marmon Holdings—which is backed by Berkshire Hathaway—you’ll be doing things that matter, leading at every level, and winning a better way. We’re committed to making a positive impact on the world, providing you with diverse learning and working opportunities, and fostering a culture where everyone’s empowered to be their best. Reporting to Marmon’s Chief Innovation Officer, the Vice President of Innovation supports innovation efforts across Marmon’s diversified industrial portfolio of approximately 150 operating companies spanning 12 industrial groups. Reporting to the Chief Innovation Officer, this executive will help drive sustainable growth through new product development, technology adoption, business model innovation, strategic partnerships, and enterprise-wide innovation capabilities. The Vice President of Innovation serves as both a strategist and catalyst, helping portfolio companies identify, prioritize, and execute innovation initiatives that accelerate revenue growth, improve competitiveness, increase operational effectiveness, and create long-term shareholder value. Success in this role requires influencing leaders across a decentralized organization, fostering a culture of innovation across diverse markets and industries, as well as maintaining a portfolio of resources that support innovation efforts at Marmon’s operating companies. Up to 50% travel is required.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a highly respected innovation leader who combines technical depth, strategic vision, and strong business acumen. With demonstrated success driving innovation in complex industrial environments, this leader understands how to create value across a diverse portfolio of companies and excels at influencing leaders without direct authority. This leader is also equally comfortable discussing advanced technologies with engineers, evaluating investment opportunities with finance leaders, and presenting enterprise innovation strategy to the executive leadership team and board of directors.

Innovation Strategy & Portfolio Management

Identifies emerging technologies, market trends, customer needs, and industry disruptions that may impact portfolio companies. Manages a portfolio of innovation resources for business units, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and spending priorities. Partners with Group and Platform leaders and operating company presidents to translate innovation opportunities into measurable business outcomes. Partners with business leaders, engineering teams, and technology providers to pilot and deploy innovative solutions.

Growth & New Product Development

Establishes best practices for innovation processes, stage-gate development, commercialization, and portfolio management. Monitors and improves innovation performance metrics including: New product revenue and contribution margin Vitality Index R&D effectiveness / Innovation ROI Time-to-market Project success rates Facilitates collaboration to leverage new technologies across Groups, Platforms, and individual operating companies.

External Innovation & Partnerships

Builds strategic relationships with universities, research institutions, and technology providers. Develops mechanisms to identify and evaluate external innovation opportunities. Leads due diligence efforts related to technology acquisitions, partnerships, licensing, and strategic investments. Represents Marmon within industry, innovation, and technology forums.

Innovation Culture & Capability Development

Fosters a culture that encourages experimentation, continuous improvement, and taking calculated risks. Creates communities of practice and technical working groups across Marmon’s engineering and innovation disciplines. Develops innovation training programs for leaders, engineers, and technical professionals. Identifies and mentors high-potential innovation leaders throughout Marmon. Manages recognition programs that celebrate innovation achievements and value creation.

Governance & Performance Management

Develops annual innovation scorecards and benchmarking processes. Tracks innovation investments and ensures accountability for results. Leads enterprise-level innovation reviews and strategic planning sessions.

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Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Technology, or a related technical discipline required; Master's or Doctoral degree preferred MBA or equivalent business education strongly desired

Experience

15+ years of progressive leadership experience in innovation, engineering, product development, technology strategy, R&D, or related disciplines. Demonstrated success leading innovation initiatives across multiple business units, industries, and/or geographic regions. Experience in industrial manufacturing, engineered products, automation, transportation, building products, energy, distribution or related sectors. Experience managing large, complex portfolios of innovation projects and investments. Demonstrated success influencing senior executives and driving change within decentralized organizations. Experience evaluating emerging technologies and translating them into commercial value. P&L management experience is preferred.

Required Competencies

• Strategic Leadership Enterprise mindset with the ability to connect innovation initiatives to business strategy
• Strong systems thinking and portfolio management capabilities Ability to balance long-term innovation investments with near-term business results
• Business Acumen Deep understanding of industrial markets, manufacturing economics, and growth strategies Ability to evaluate investment opportunities and business cases Strong financial and analytical capabilities
• Technical Leadership Broad understanding of engineering disciplines, product development, manufacturing processes, and emerging technologies Ability to engage credibly with technical experts and executive leadership alike
• Collaboration & Influence Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills Ability to lead through influence in a decentralized matrix organization Strong executive presence and stakeholder management capabilities
• Change Leadership Proven ability to lead organizational transformation and build a culture of innovation Comfortable operating in ambiguity and driving change across diverse organizations

Pay Range: 200,000.00 - 300,000.00 We offer a comprehensive benefits package that may include medical, dental, vision, 401k matching, and more!

Following receipt of a conditional offer of employment, candidates will be required to complete additional job-related screening processes as permitted or required by applicable law.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will be considered for employment without attention to their membership in any protected class.

If you require any reasonable accommodation to complete your application or any part of the recruiting process, please email your request to [e-mail], and please be sure to include the title and the location of the position for which you are applying.

Welcome to the biggest small business you’ll ever find. Part of Berkshire Hathaway, Marmon is a global industrial organization made of 11 industry groups with 30K employees and $12 billion in annual revenue. As leaders in their respective industries, our 120+ companies thrive on an independent mindset and entrepreneurial spirit. At the same time, they benefit from being part of our industry groups—where they’re able to tap into the expertise and insights of other Marmon companies. While we’re all unique, we all share a common commitment to doing things that matter, leading at every level, and winning a better way. When you work at Marmon, you're advancing our everyday world and beyond. Our engineering solutions help millions around the world stay connected, healthy, and safe. Wherever you're at in your career, our people and resources will help you go further. As you grow your skills, you can also move up and around our 120+ companies. Work at a place you can stand behind. We show up to win every day, uphold the highest ethical standards, and always look to put each other in the best position to win.