[Remote] Vice President, Innovation & Productivity

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