Director of Innovation

 

About Justrite Safety Group

At Justrite Safety Group, we're more than just a collection of industrial safety companies; we're a dynamic organization dedicated to protecting people, property, and the planet. Our ever-growing portfolio of companies collaborates to deliver advanced industrial safety solutions that set the standard for excellence.

As our business continues to grow, we continue to look for top talent to join our team as we lead the charge in revolutionizing industrial safety, ensuring that every worker returns home safe, every workplace remains secure, and our environment thrives for generations to come. With Justrite Safety Group, safety isn't just a priority—it's our passion.

Our Chemical & Environmental Safety division is a market leader, providing a wide range of essential products that ensure chemical and environmental compliance across numerous industries. We manufacture equipment designed for the secure storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous materials, including chemical safety cabinets, spill containment systems, and safety cans. Our comprehensive product portfolio also includes safety showers, eyewashes, and chemical labeling items, all aimed at protecting workers and assets. This holistic approach to hazardous materials management helps reduce the risk of accidents and environmental harm.

The Contribution You’ll bring to this Role:

The Vice President, Innovation & Productivity will lead the strategic direction and execution of Justrite’s innovation, new product development (NPD), and engineering initiatives across the enterprise. This executive will be responsible for increasing product vitality, accelerating differentiated innovation, leading robust value engineering efforts, and enhancing the commercialization of customer-centric solutions.

You’ll oversee a growing team of engineers and technical professionals (approx. 4 total) and collaborate across departments to develop scalable, compliant, and cost-effective safety solutions. The ideal candidate will blend technical excellence with strong leadership and a deep understanding of manufacturing and market needs.

In this role, you will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer. 

What You’ll Do at Justrite:

Strategy & Leadership

• 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.

New Product Development (NPD)

• 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.

Value Analysis / Value Engineering (VA/VE)

• 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.

Commercialization & Customer Insight

• 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.

Innovation Culture & External Partnerships

• 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.

Your Skills and Expertise:

To ensure your success from day one in this role, Justrite requires the following qualifications at a minimum:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Product Design, or related field (Master’s or MBA preferred).
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in engineering, product development, or innovation within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated success in lea