Sr Manager of Innovation

Maximize your potential, own your impact. We are Charter Next Generation (CNG). We are curious. We are courageous. We are competitive. We are North America's leading independent producer of high-performance, specialty film, and flexible packaging solutions for a greener tomorrow. Join us and our 2,000+ employee-owners now as we passionately pursue sustainable solutions to create a better world.

This career opportunity is located at our CNG facility in Chicago IL. This is a hybrid role requiring 3 days per week in the office.

What we offer - Our hardworking team deserves benefits that work for them:

Total Rewards:

• Significant earning potential in year 1
• Progressive pay with skills development
• Additional earnings through employee ownership program
• Benefits day 1
• Paid parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• 401k with 5% company match at 90 days of employment
• Vacation upon day of hire

People & Culture:

• Sustainability leader
• Innovative & dynamic environment
• Safety & quality driven
• Purpose-driven & Values-based
• Community partners
• Earth stewardship

As a Sr Manager of Innovation your responsibilities will be:

• Develop and Manage the Innovation Process: Design a stage-gate framework to manage innovation from ideation to commercialization, ensuring clarity and alignment. Organize and lead monthly gate review meetings to assess project viability, progress, and alignment with strategic goals. Lead cross-functional innovation meetings to focus innovation on key areas. Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of the innovation process. Present innovation updates to leadership.
• Tech Scouting and Validation: Partner with Strategy and Marketing leadership to identify emerging technologies, trends, and disruptive materials that align with CNG's strategic objectives. Lead pilot and validation testing of new technologies and materials. Evaluate partners for partnership and acquisition potential.
• Manage Lab & Pilot Capabilities: Optimize impact of lab and pilot resources by improving work processes and streamlining documentation. Install new pilot equipment and manage upgrades.
• Intellectual Property Strategy: Partner with leadership and legal to create an intellectual property strategy, including patents, trade secrets, and customer/competitor monitoring. Educate the internal team on the importance of IP and best practices.
• Foster a Culture of Innovation: Organize workshops and innovation sessions to generate new ideas targeted at strategic priorities. Encourage regular practice and

A strong Sr Manager of Innovation will possess:

• Education: A bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as business, engineering, or technology is essential. An advanced degree (MBA or similar) is a strong asset.
• Experience: At least 10 years of experience in R&D, innovation, or related fields, with a proven track record of leadership in innovation and new product launches.
• Strong leadership capabilities to inspire and guide teams, fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration.
• Ability to align innovation initiatives with the organization's goals and vision, translating corporate strategies into actionable innovation agendas.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey ideas clearly and engage stakeholders across the organization.
• Expertise in project management methodologies to oversee multiple innovation projects effective.
• Proficiency in data analysis and market research to identify trends, assess opportunities, and evaluate the potential impact of innovations.
• Creative problem-solving abilities to address challenges and implement effective solutions.

Safety at CNG:

Ensure that safety and health concerns are given primary consideration in all activities Follows company guidelines and actively participates in all safety processes

• Carry out job/area specific housekeeping duties and maintain a high standard of professionalism
• Look for, report, and correct any near misses/unsafe conditions or behaviors as soon as possible
• Identify needed changes and make recommendations - find a better way

Physical Work and Work Environment:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Team members are required to frequently talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Are our values a match for you?

• Committed - We act with integrity and respect for one another.
• Collaborative - We are better when we work together.
• Caring - We strive to be socially conscious in all we do.
• Courageous - We take risks to achieve better outcomes.
• Curious - We encourage new thinking to reimagine what's possible.
• Competitive - We play to win.

Want to learn more about CNG? Click here to learn from our employees! https://www.youtube.com/[redacted]

If so, we can offer you an exciting career opportunity. We look forward to receiving your application and resume. Become part of our CNG team today!

Equal Employment Opportunity: Hiring and advancement are based on job-related requirements and on an individual's qualifications to perform a job. All aspects of employment are carried out free of discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disabilities, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender expression or any unlawful criterion, existing under applicable federal, state, or local law.