Senior Strategic Innovation Manager

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Job description

Be a part of a bright future tied to a proud past.

As part of the Toyota family of companies, Toyota Industries Commercial Finance (TICF) creates extraordinary customer experiences through our Brand Promise to be the partner of choice in the commercial finance industry.

Since 1985, TICF has offered an extensive line of commercial financing programs for Toyota forklifts and Hino trucks through our network of Toyota Industrial Equipment and Hino Motor Sales dealers to their customers. Our people-focused team of professionals are constantly striving to provide better solutions. Because of that we have experienced substantial growth and evolution. We are a new organization with a proud legacy. Are you interested in becoming part of it?

TICF Vision Statement: To be the premier captive finance company that champions Toyota Industries Corporation, Hino Motors, and dealers' prosperity.

TICF Mission Statement: Provide financial solutions to sell Toyota Industries, Hino Motors, and dealer products.

Why This Job Exists: Job Summary/Scope of Impact

TICF (TOYOTA INDUSTRIES COMMERCIAL FINANCE) is currently going through a dealer and customer-centric digital transformation to improve the digital touchpoints for associates, dealers, and end customers. As a part of digital transformation, TICF needs a senior technical leader to drive our innovation strategy. The Strategic Innovation Sr. Manager will establish the innovation practice for the company. Additionally, this individual will be driving enterprise innovation strategy for the company.

This role entails leading the effort to develop innovative and automated solutions that support business strategies and establish an Innovation COE (Center of Excellence). This leader will keep well-informed of modern technology trends, evaluate and recommend solutions, defining, and shaping the overall approach to enable the business. The Strategic Innovation Sr. Manager will ensure that proper support and delivery processes are in place to deliver high-quality service to end-users that meet business needs while following the relevant security criteria.

What You'll Do: Major Accountabilities

· Development of the innovation and automation strategy and roadmap for the company. Focus on business problems and emerging technology by asking how your ideas can unlock new business capabilities or opportunities.

· Create the Innovation lab and define the innovation process. Include easy-to-apply qualitative selection and deselection criteria, allowing for fast screening of early concepts.

· Responsible for strategic solution delivery: Solution Identification, Design, and Implementation

· Create Innovation and Automation Center of Excellence in the Region.

· Lead and mentor the team to create solutions that drive speed and efficiency within the business.

· Work with business leaders to align innovation programs and initiatives with the strategy. Identify compelling and clear business objectives to establish innovation focus and guide the organization of innovation activities.

· Run and deliver a technology/trend radar or scan. Conduct a periodic assessment of emerging technologies and trends can expose relevant triggers and ideas and communicate findings to business leaders. Tracking technology, societal and business trends to show the art of the possible to IT professionals and business leaders.

· Collaborate with the senior leadership, project team, and business and system SMEs.

· Drive Innovation and Automation workstreams, including demand and resource management through our PMO processes.

· Build relationships with stakeholders across the company to be well-positioned to find future opportunities for innovation.

· Provide regular communications with the leadership team on the Innovation team's activities and research findings.

Who You Are: Experience, Training, Education

· 8-12 years of progressively responsible experience preferred; experience in setting strategy, business process optimization, leading evaluation and implementation of technical solutions and automation will be a plus.

· Software development experience using PowerShell, JavaScript, or Python, etc., is needed.

· An innovative, creative approach to problem-solving.

· Embraces change with project management skills.

· Working experience with automation of processes is needed. RPA experience is preferable, with UiPath will be a plus.

· Detailed experience in the system development lifecycle (SDLC) and working in an Agile SCRUM environment.

· Ideally, 7+ years' experience in leading and managing a team.

· Experience working with external vendors (software and systems integration) in contracting SOWs and holding the external vendors accountable to delivery expectations and contractual obligations.

· Bachelor's in preferably Business or IT related field. Master's a plus.

· Candidates must have experience in the analysis and design of business processes mapping.

· Experience presenting solutions to senior management.

· Strong skills in MS Visio, MS Excel, MS Word.

· Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment with changing priorities and time pressures.

· Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to produce easily understood documentation. The successful candidate must explain technical detail to non-technical colleagues and interact at senior levels.

· Strong knowledge of the financial industry, preferably leasing, is a plus.

Competencies

1. Builds Trust: Can be trusted to keep promises and confidences. Is honest and ethical. Behavior is consistently aligned with organization's core values.

1. Communicates Effectively: Expresses self clearly, both in writing and in speaking. Is thorough, yet concise, and is consistently straightforward. Creates clarity. Readily shares information with others.
2. Supports Change & Innovation: Always supports change initiatives in a positive way. Proactively embraces change. Look for new ways of improving your day-to-day processes. Partner with your leadership team to support the top organization initiatives to achieve business goals.
3. Customer Focused: Expresses a consistent passion to exceed internal and external customer expectations. Makes customer satisfaction a priority in all organizational decision making. Treats all associates like a best customer. Acts with a sense of urgency when responding to customers and coaches others to do the same.
4. High-Performing Team Player: Proactively seeks new ways to continually learn and develop. Takes initiative and strives to consistently exceed expectations at all times. Addresses conflicts/concerns through the appropriately avenues in a spirit of cooperation. Creates appropriate SMART goals aligned to the top business objectives.
5. Achieves Results: Overcomes obstacles to achieve results that set high standards for others and that positively impact the organization.

Core Values

• Be faithful to your duties thereby contributing to the company and to the overall good of society.

• Be ahead of the times through endless creativity, curiosity, and pursuit of improvement.

• Be practical an avoid frivolity.

• Be kind and generous; strive to create a warm, home-like atmosphere.

• Be humble and show gratitude for things great and small.

Turn Toward Great Benefits

· Work/Life (flextime, 9/80 work schedule offered where applicable)

· Tuition reimbursement

· Vehicle rental, lease, and purchase program

· Medical, dental, and vision insurance (plus more)

· Generously matched 401(k)

· Generous paid time off (vacation, sick, personal, holidays)

· Open, collaborative work environment

· Opportunities for growth

Toyota Industries Commercial Finance is an equal opportunity