Innovation Manager - Emerging Technology & Innovation

Responsibilities

The H-E-B Emerging Technology & Innovation (ETI) Team focuses on inspiring and innovating with transformational change through discovering, learning, and recommending technologies that improve the lives of our customers and Partners.

As an Innovation Manager I, you’ll lead efforts to identify, create, and deliver breakthrough emerging technology innovations and work across H-E-B vendor, digital, and business teams.

Once you’re eligible, you’ll become an Owner in the company, so we’re looking for commitment, hard work, and focus on quality and Customer service. “Partner owned” means our most important resources—People—drive the innovation, growth, and success that make H-E-B The Greatest Omnichannel Retailing Company.

HEART FOR PEOPLE – desire to help others live better via technology?
HEAD FOR BUSINESS – initiative, willingness to take risks to strengthen the organization?
PASSION FOR RESULTS – entrepreneurial drive and passion to create the future?

• 3+ years of industry experience

• Develop new thinking, identify new opportunity spaces for discovery of emerging technologies
• Gathers / analyzes / interprets market data and customer research; identify emerging trends and customer needs and behaviors that provide fresh insights that lead to innovation
• Translate insights into concepts, projects, and distinctive solutions that use new and emerging technologies to solve H-E-B customer and Partner problems
• Use traditional, non-traditional data sources for competitive and customer behavior intelligence
• Identify / research new technologies that potentially lead to greater insights for successful learnings and increased value
• Align to deliver short- / long-range transformational opportunities on specific, distinctive technology themes (e.g., checkout, connected store, eCommerce)
• Deliver tangible results in the form of shared learnings, technology hands‑on experience, vendor relations and management, executed POC / pilot legal contracts, and successful implementation
• Identify critical high pay‑off strategies or approaches; assess needs, risks, and opportunities related to new emerging technology and innovations
• Move projects into, through ideation and proof of concept process to pilots; ensure seamless transition between Digital, ETI Technology Mgrs, H-E-B business teams
• Cultivate relationships with / influence key stakeholders and decision‑makers across functions, levels, and organizations
• Lead / work with cross‑functional teams (e.g., Digital, Planning & Analysis, Customer Insights, Continuous Innovation & Design, CX teams, Design & Engineering, Merchandising, Legal, Marketing, PA)
• Apply strategic thinking when considering the big picture and in-depth technical details related to project and technology development
• Align technology innovation with strategic goals to ensure strategy integrity
• Manage multiple, conflicting priorities in an ambiguous and complex environment; prioritize with realistic timelines

• A related degree or comparable formal training, certification, or experience
• 3+ years of experience in the industry
• Experience in businesses, technologies, and innovation‑type initiatives / projects
• Experience in incubation / execution of entrepreneurial ventures and orchestrated commercialization plans for breakthrough solutions, and successfully conducting / executing ideation processes
• Experience successfully working complex issues on cross‑functional teams
• Experience in Emerging Technology And Innovation Management (preferred)

• Proficiency in MS Office
• Strong facilitating, collaborating, negotiating, and influencing skills
• Strong communication skills
• Strong project management skills
• Ability to build lasting relationships
• Ability to work in a complex, matrix team environment as a leader or supporter
• Ability to make critical decisions
• Ability to manage multiple projects; attention to detail

• Function in a fast‑paced environment
• Travel by car or plane with overnight stays