Vice President, Innovation

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

#LI-Remote

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 [email protected], and please be sure to include the title and the location of the position for which you are applying.