IT Innovation Director

Summary
The Toyoda Gosei Group is a leading global manufacturer of rubber and plastic automotive components, safety systems and LEDs. Globally Headquartered in Japan with a network of 67 group companies in 17 countries and regions, the Group brings its extensive range of products to customers all over the world.

Toyoda Gosei North America (headquartered in Troy, MI) has an opening for a General Manager of Innovation in the CIS department. The General Manager functions with a high degree of autonomy, and is responsible for leading the strategy and execution of emerging technology initiatives that drive efficiency improvements, business growth, and competitive advantages in execution speed and cost reductions. This role identifies, evaluates, and pilots innovations-from AI and automation, software development, human development, and next generation infrastructure across Toyoda Gosei (TG) North America Corporation (TGNA) and TGNA Manufacturing Companies (AMCs).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Identify, develop and implement technology innovation and continuous improvement roadmaps that are aligned with long term business goals.
• Benchmark for emerging technologies, trends, and opportunities that could improve TG and compare to standards. Establish ROI analysis, risk assessment, and deployment strategies for opportunities.
• Establish a culture of continuous improvement across CIS, our manufacturing business units
• Lead the evaluation, piloting and testing of new tools, platforms, and methodologies to proof of concept to hand over to operations team for implementation
• Lead and mentor a team of innovation specialists, developers, and analysts.
• Ensure all innovation initiatives adhere to security, privacy, and compliance standards.
• Establish frameworks for evaluating and managing risks associated with emerging technologies.
• Maintain documentation, metrics, and reporting for innovation programs.
• Drive optimization by being actively engaged in continuous improvement efforts (kaizen)
• This role requires the completion of other duties as assigned

Required Education, Experience, and Skills
Certifications and Education

• Master's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science or related field is preferred, or equivalent years of relevant experience AND Bachelor's degree is required

Experience

• Minimum of 18 years of experience in Information Technology or Computer Science function is required
• Minimum of 3 to 5 years of experience focusing on innovation, digital transformation, or emerging technologies is required
• Previous experience managing, coaching and mentoring a team of professional Technology team members is preferred

Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Technology Competencies

• Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suites 2010 or newer is required
• Strong understanding of modern IT ecosystems; cloud, AI/ML, automation, cybersecurity, data platforms and enterprise architecture
• Experience evaluating and implementing new technologies in complex environments
• Strong project management skills leading projects from ideation to proof of concept

Work Environment

• Office Environment

Additional Competencies

• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate vision into actionable plans
• Excellent communication, facilitation and stakeholder-management skills
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and drive organizational change
• Ability to consistently meet deadlines is required
• Effective verbal, non-verbal, negotiation and written communication skills are required
• Ability to sustain a high degree of professionalism in interacting with internal and external customers is required
• Effective attention to detail, problem solving, analytical and organizational skills are required

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.