Senior Director, Innovation Program Management (Hybrid Work Schedule)

See What We’re All About

As the fastest-growing distributor of restaurant equipment, HVAC and residential appliance parts, we like to do things a little differently. First, you need to understand and demonstrate our Core Values with safety being your first priority. That’s key. But we’re also looking for unique enthusiasm, high integrity, courage to embrace change…and if you know a few jokes, that puts you on the top of our list!

Do you have a genius-level knowledge of original equipment manufacturer parts? If not, no problem! We’re more interested in passionate people with fresh ideas from different backgrounds. That’s what keeps us at the top of our game. We’re proud that our workplace has been recognized for its growth and innovation on the Inc. 5000 list 15 years in a row and the Crain’s Fast 50 list ten times. We are honored to be voted by our Chicagoland team as a Chicago Tribune Top Workplace for the last four years.

If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves, go above and beyond and put your ambition to work, all while having some fun, let’s chat – Apply Today!

Red Lightning Group
Red Lightning Group is an innovation hub operating within Parts Town Unlimited. We’re focused on bringing groundbreaking digital solutions to market, across all divisions. As part of RLG, you will be part of developing game-changing products and services. Our goal is to deliver the future, and we’re moving fast to expand our team and make an impact.

Perks

• Parts Town Pride – check out our virtual tour and culture!
• Hybrid work schedule
• Team member appreciation events and recognition programs
• Volunteer opportunities
• Monthly IT stipend
• Casual dress code
• On-demand pay options: Access your pay as you earn it, to cover unexpected or even everyday expenses
• All the traditional benefits like health insurance, 401k/401k match, employee assistance programs and time away – don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

The Job at a Glance

Innovation is one of our core values—and our passion for it shows! As the Senior Director, Innovation Program Management at Red Lightning, you will be a key driver of innovation and strategic transformation. You will guide strategic initiatives with an innovator’s lens, leading high-impact projects that shape Red Lightning’s future. In this highly collaborative and hands-on role, you’ll lead a small but mighty innovation team, guiding cross-functional efforts to align strategy, culture, and execution.

You’ll play a central role in harmonizing processes, enhancing internal communication, and championing a culture of experimentation, agility, and continuous improvement. By leveraging data, analytics, and strong project/program management, you’ll identify and implement strategies that boost efficiency, streamline execution, and accelerate Red Lightning’s growth.

You’ll also serve as a mentor and connector, building strong relationships across the organization to foster engagement, transparency, and meaningful outcomes. If you're energized by developing new products, services, or ways of working—and you thrive on thoughtful, organized collaboration—keep reading.

A Typical Day

• Leads Red Lightning’s Innovation Department with bold vision and practical execution, accelerating breakthrough thinking and bringing high-impact ideas to life.
• Leads a collaborative innovation platform, capturing ideas from across the organization and advancing them through structured evaluation, co-creation, and agile development.
• Directs the innovation team and processes, cultivating a culture of experimentation, inclusion, and continuous learning that fuels creativity and rapid iteration.
• Champions a future-forward innovation strategy, identifying transformative opportunities, emerging technologies, and inventive business models that drive growth and differentiation.
• Drives the execution of the senior leader’s vision, translating strategy into action and action into tangible, measurable impact.
• Inspires a culture of possibility, guiding cross-functional teams through ambiguity, encouraging smart risk-taking, and embedd