SV
Director of Innovation
full-time•Franklin Park
About this role
Req ID: 11813
JOIN AN INDUSTRY LEADER! Quality First & Green Always
Sloan is the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial plumbing systems and has been in operation since 1906. We are at the forefront of the green building movement and provide sustainable restroom solutions. We manufacture water- efficient products including flush valves, electronic faucets, soap dispensing and sink systems along with vitreous china fixtures for commercial, industrial and institutional markets worldwide.
Job Purpose
This role is based at Sloan’s Franklin Park, IL headquarters and reports directly to the Chief Engineering Innovation Officer. Serving as the key liaison between the plumbing industry and the Innovation team, this position translates deep market expertise into forward-looking product strategy and drives end-to-end innovation execution to deliver next-generation solutions that accelerate sustainable growth.
Job and Responsibilities
- Defines strategic direction for innovations based upon deep category knowledge, external trends of relevance, and competitive market analysis that translate into sustainable success and business growth.
- Provide thorough and responsible stewardship of innovative engineering projects or individual modules within complex, cross-functional initiatives, including driving the problem-solving process and supporting research and analytics, and distilling pragmatic recommendations for company leadership's consideration.
- Lead execution of design reviews, integrate with product teams with early requirement capture, phase gate reviews, design control audits, verification, validation, design and manufacturing transfer, and post-market surveillance.
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with university and vendor partners.
- Bridge the greater creative community within Sloan.
- Interact with external innovations community.
- Attracts, leads, manages, and mentors employees in such a way to ensure retention, development, and superior performance of talent.
- Provide reports to leadership and team members on projects on a regular basis. · Other duties and responsibilities as required.
Required Qualifications
- High School Diploma or GED
- 10 + Years Product Design and Development
- Advanced level experience working with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
- Business Acumen - understand the financial implications of ideas. Understand the market and how to develop products consumers want. Know how to present ideas to executives and justify the costs of projects.
- Communication - Able to convey and present ideas to their team, clients, and key stakeholders in a way they will understand.
- Complete understanding of construction and architectural process for large scale projects like stadiums and airports as well as smaller scale projects like schools and office building.
- Creativity – The ability to come up with futuristic products and next generation solutions and develop new ideas and strategies. Able to develop new products, improve existing products, or develop new ways to market products. Able to improve processes and procedures. Be inventive, unafraid to explore new ideas, or mix old and new ideas to come up with new solutions. Be a forward thinker predicting the future of customer needs by understanding the existing market, architectural design trends and the current issues customers experience.
- Demonstrates clear, professional, and respectful verbal and written communication in all interactions, consistent with an inclusive work environment.
- Strategic Thinking - Able to develop plans and strategies for innovation including: considering resources, potential outcomes, testing ideas, and evaluating success. · Strong ability to interface with ownership and senior executives, delivering presentations and demonstrations and have challenging conversations.
- Successful past experience with team collaboration
- The skill, passion and knowledge to persuade fellow team members regarding ideas you believe in.
- Working experience within the plumbing market and the insight to help predict where that market is going by having a good market knowledge of the latest design trends and customer needs.
Why you’ll love working here:
Inclusive Culture: YOU Belong at Sloan
At Sloan, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where diverse backgrounds and perspectives are embraced and celebrated. We proudly offer equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, political affiliation, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Growth Opportunities: We invest in our employees’ professional development with ongoing training and career advancement opportunities.
Innovative Projects: Be part of exciting projects that push the boundaries of technology and have make a real difference in the world.
Benefits:
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical (including prescription coverage), Dental, and Vision Insurance, effective the first of the month following your hire date.
- Health Savings Account (HSA): With company contributions for most medical plan options.
- Financial Security: Basic Life, Basic Accidental Death and Dismemberment, Short-term Disability, Long-term Disability, and Accident Insurance.
- Additional Protection: Optional Life, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Legal, Pet Insurance, and Identity Theft Protection.
- Convenient Commuter Benefits: Save on your daily commute.
- Flexible Spending Accounts: Dependent Care FSA to help manage your expenses.
- Wellness Support: Employee Assistance Plan and Wellness Programs to keep you healthy and happy.
- Retirement Savings: 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with a company match and immediate vesting.
- Generous Time Off: Paid Holidays, Volunteer Time Off, Paid Time Off, Sick Leave, Military Leave, Parental Leave, Bereavement Leave, and other paid or unpaid state/local leaves where required.
- Work-Life Balance: Hybrid Work Program to support your flexibility.
- Employee Referral Program: Earn rewards for referring great talent.
- Professional Development: Tuition Reimbursement Program to help you grow your skills.
- Community and Networking: Join our Employee Business Groups and connect with colleagues.
We Are Proud Partners With the Chicago Cubs
We are a Legacy Partner of the Chicago Cubs and we are proud to be the organization’s official water efficiency partner! Through this relationship, which includes the naming rights to Sloan Park, the Cubs’ Spring Training facility in Mesa, Arizona, we have had the opportunity to promote our brand and continue our water conservation efforts in the city of Chicago and around the world.
JOIN AN INDUSTRY LEADER!
For additional company information please visit our website at www.sloan.com.
We Are An Equal Opportunity Employer.
What you'll do
- The Director of Innovation defines strategic direction for innovations and leads execution of design reviews and cross-functional initiatives. This role also involves building relationships with partners and mentoring employees to ensure superior performance.
About Sloan Valve Company
Sloan is the world’s leading manufacturer of commercial plumbing systems and has been in operation since 1906. Headquartered in Franklin Park, Illinois, the company is at the forefront of the green building movement and provides sustainable restroom solutions by manufacturing water and energy-efficient products such as flushometers, electronic faucets, sink systems, soap dispensing systems and vitreous china fixtures for commercial, industrial and institutional markets worldwide.
Water Connects Us® is more than just Sloan’s tagline. Sloan understands the dynamic relationship between the world’s water management systems and its water ecosystems. We connect communities of engineers, architects, designers, building managers and owners to high-efficient products and systems to promote healthier water ecosystems for generations to come.
Sloan is committed to water sustainability and its products are focused on conservation. Sloan’s vitreous china HETs and HEUs, as well as gravity toilets, are now listed under IAPMO’s new Green Certification Program. Sloan is the first manufacturer to earn this certification for non-residential, commercial plumbing projects.
Sloan’s world headquarters are in Franklin Park, Illinois, with offices and manufacturing facilities in Arkansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, USA; Coahuila, Mexico; and Gurgaon, India.
Ready to join Sloan Valve Company?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Director of Innovation do at Sloan Valve Company?
As a Director of Innovation at Sloan Valve Company, you will: the Director of Innovation defines strategic direction for innovations and leads execution of design reviews and cross-functional initiatives. This role also involves building relationships with partners and mentoring employees to ensure superior performance..
Is the Director of Innovation position at Sloan Valve Company remote?
The Director of Innovation position at Sloan Valve Company is based in Franklin Park, Illinois, United States. Contact the company through Clera for specific work arrangement details.
How do I apply for the Director of Innovation position at Sloan Valve Company?
You can apply for the Director of Innovation position at Sloan Valve Company directly through Clera. Click the "Apply Now" button above to start your application. Clera's AI-powered platform will help match your profile with this opportunity and guide you through the application process.