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 careers@marmon.com, and please be sure to include the title and the location of the position for which you are applying.