Job Title

Innovation Manager

Position Overview

Shaw’s corporate innovation team is focused on strategic alignment of resources toward the development of both market-facing disruptive (product and materials) innovation and internally-focused disruptive process and product innovation, both in leadership and collaborative capacities.

The Innovation Manager will be relied upon to solve complex strategic and operational corporate innovation challenges. This role provides specific technical support for innovation related processes which add value to the company. The Innovation Manager will execute Shaw’s innovation strategy directly through management of the innovation process – from idea scouting, ideation, and concepting through test & learn collaboration, validation, and commercialization. This role is responsible for informing and influencing key business partners and colleagues in their adaptive network to advance innovation efforts at Shaw, while translating complex technical issues into simple terms. Successful development of business cases, opportunity assessments, project briefs, and financial analysis are strategically important contributions of the Innovation Manager. This role will report to the Director of Innovation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Champion Shaw’s innovation stage gate process -- a comprehensive collaborative internal process that builds accretive, sustainable growth

• Provide process and project leadership to ensure efficient management of the decision-making processes of the corporate innovation team

• Collaborate with, support and/or lead embedded technical innovation and development personnel across the company to speed up commercialization of key business initiatives identified

• Both author directly and influence innovation colleagues to author opportunity assessments, project briefs, and business cases for innovation projects that effectively documents the stage gate process milestones and achievements

• Utilize the Corporate Innovation SharePoint site (or equivalent team repository), documenting all stages of the innovation process, key assumptions, test results, presentations, action plans, et al.

• Establish deep, collaborative working relationships with business leaders and colleagues to identify key innovation project opportunities and effectively influence key decision makers

• Gather and disseminate innovation-relevant market and customer insights that identify trends and accretive business opportunities

• Embody customer-centricity by ensuring that Shaw’s various customers are the focal point of all decisions related to innovation project and process execution

• Create compelling communications content that presents new ideas, innovative approaches, project status, and commitments to senior leaders, business partners, and internal stakeholder colleagues

• Partner with corporate sustainability team and leaders to ensure product innovations and material choices align with company sustainability goals and commitments to health & wellbeing leadership

• Influence the professional development of the innovation team’s technical resources, expanding long-term innovation capabilities and delivering targeted leadership competencies

• Support corporate innovation’s efforts to secure intellectual property (IP) in alignment with Shaw’s overall IP strategy

• Attend strategic market events and conferences to expand professional network, innovation knowledge, and to obtain market insights about innovation technologies and trends

• Establish deep and wide business relationships across the enterprise, both in technical partnerships but also with business leaders and decision makers

• Participate in strategic external partnerships for Shaw’s corporate innovation team, including guiding and influencing those groups to the benefit of Shaw

• Research competitors and adjacent markets for innovation best practices and opportunities

• Participate in annual expense budget process and manage team spend within budget

Requirements:

• 4 year degree (Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, or related field)

• 5+ years of manufacturing, innovation, business, technical, engineering, or equivalent experience

• Ability to travel (primarily domestically) (15%)

• Forward-looking, adaptive thinker with a strong, critical mindset

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including refined presentation skills

• Strong business acumen

• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidential business information

• Ability to understand major enterprise and business issues and challenges

• Ability to lead and influence a team of cross-divisional internal leaders

Key Competencies

• Demonstrate Strategic Influence

• Build Trusting Relationships

• Deliver Compelling Communication

• Drive Innovation

• Demonstrate Customer Orientation

• Practice Entrepreneurial Behavior

• Demonstrate Inclusive Leadership

Key Leadership Potential Factors:

• Navigates Ambiguity

• Conceptual Thinking

• Learning Agility

• Brings Out the Best in People

• Culture Fit

Work Shift

8 Hr non-rotating shift, Hrs fall to in punch day, Observed Calendar, shift starts AM

Shaw Industries is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

As we continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), we might determine the need to postpone in-person interviews to ensure the health and safety of our associates, candidates, and the community. In this case, we can accommodate with a phone or video interview, and will schedule an in-person interview for a later date. The method by which you interview does not impact your standing as a candidate for this position.

Shaw Industries Group, Inc. is more than a flooring company – we are 22,000 people united in our vision of creating a better future for our customers, for our people, for our community and for our company. We provide carpet, resilient, hardwood, tile & stone, laminate, synthetic turf and other specialty items for residential and commercial markets worldwide. We meet diverse customer needs through an expansive portfolio of brands, including: Anderson Tuftex , COREtec , Patcraft , Philadelphia Commercial, Shaw Contract, Shaw Floors, Shaw Hospitality, Shaw Sports Turf, Southwest Greens, USFloors and more.

Headquartered in Dalton, Georgia, Shaw is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway with nearly $6 billion in annual revenue and representation throughout the U.S., as well as in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, France, Great Britain, India, Mexico, Scotland, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. For more information about our company brands, operations and community involvement, visit www.shawinc.com .

If you need any additional assistance or accommodation or have questions, please contact us at shaw.recruiting@shawinc.com