Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Justrite Safety Group is a dynamic organization dedicated to protecting people, property, and the planet through advanced industrial safety solutions. The Vice President, Innovation & Productivity will lead the strategic direction and execution of innovation and product development initiatives, overseeing a team to develop scalable safety solutions while collaborating across departments.
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute an enterprise-wide innovation and NPD strategy aligned with corporate growth goals
- Build and mentor a high-performing advanced engineering team, including experts in metals and plastics
- Collaborate with executive leadership to identify market opportunities and prioritize innovation investments
- Lead cross-business unit engineering efforts to develop platform-based, differentiated products that address real-world customer challenges
- Manage the full NPD lifecycle using a structured stage gate or agile process from ideation through launch
- Drive rapid prototyping, iterative design, and manufacturability to shorten time-to-market
- Implement a robust VA/VE program to reduce product costs, increase margins, and simplify designs—without compromising safety or quality
- Drive robust ideation and product management processes to include 'product tear downs and rebuilds' for higher quality and value
- Facilitate cross-functional VA/VE workshops and reinvest savings into innovation initiatives
- Champion voice-of-customer (VOC) programs and structured market research to uncover unmet needs and guide product development
- Partner with Product Management, Sales, and Marketing to ensure clear value propositions and successful product launches
- Lead post-launch reviews to drive continuous improvement
- Cultivate an innovation-first culture across the organization
- Establish strategic partnerships with universities, labs, and third-party vendors to accelerate innovation and access cutting-edge technologies
- Lead the intellectual property strategy, including patents and trade secret protection
Skills
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering
- 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in engineering, product development, or innovation within a manufacturing environment
- Demonstrated success in leading NPD and VA/VE initiatives and launching commercially successful products
- Expertise in materials science (especially metals/plastics), compliance-driven industries, and structured innovation processes
- Proven ability to build high-performing teams and influence stakeholders in a matrixed organization
- Strong business acumen with a customer-centric approach to technical problem solving
- Experience in safety-related or regulated industries a strong plus
- Master's or MBA preferred
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Flexible hours and alternative work arrangements
- 401K plan, complete with a company match
- Company-paid short and long-term disability insurance
- Generous paid time off
- Personal days
- Robust employee wellness program
Company Overview
Justrite Safety Group (JSG) manufactures and provides industrial safety solutions. It was founded in 1906, and is headquartered in Mattoon, Illinois, USA, with a workforce of 1001-5000 employees. Its website is https://www.justrite.com.