Overview
The Product Innovation & Strategy Manager is responsible for identifying, developing, and advancing innovative technologies, products, services, and business processes across Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions. This role serves as a key collaborator and connector among Sales, Marketing, Technical Services, Operations, Engineering, Quality, R&D, and Executive Leadership to support growth initiatives, accelerate commercialization efforts, enhance competitiveness, and create long-term value.
The Product Innovation & Strategy Manager drives innovation projects from concept through implementation, helping ensure alignment with company objectives, customer needs, and market opportunities while influencing stakeholders across multiple functions.
Interfaces
• Reports To: Vice President, Field Engineering & Technical Services
• Direct Reports: None
Internal
• Marketing, Sales, Technical Marketing, Operations, Technical Operations, Engineering, Quality, R&D, Communications, and Executive Leadership.
External
• Agencies, contractors, consultants, suppliers, universities, industry associations, research organizations, and strategic partners.
Responsibilities
• Support the development and execution of the company's innovation strategy and technology roadmap.
• Identify emerging market trends, technologies, materials, and business opportunities that align with strategic objectives.
• Coordinate cross-functional innovation initiatives from idea generation through commercialization.
• Support new product development efforts, pilot programs, field trials, and market validation activities.
• Facilitate innovation stage-gate processes and assist with portfolio management activities.
• Partner with R&D, Operations, Technical Services, and commercial teams to accelerate implementation and adoption of innovative solutions.
• Build and maintain relationships with universities, suppliers, industry organizations, and other strategic partners.
• Assist in evaluating licensing opportunities, strategic alliances, acquisitions, and other growth initiatives.
• Prepare business cases and financial analyses to support innovation investments and project prioritization.
• Promote a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and knowledge sharing throughout the organization.
• Represent Ergon at technical conferences, industry meetings, committees, and customer events.
• Track, analyze, and communicate innovation project performance, milestones, and outcomes to leadership.
• Serve as a subject matter resource on innovation processes, product lifecycle management, and market development activities.
Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, Marketing, Construction Management, Pavement Management, or a related field.
• Five or more years of experience in product management, construction management, pavement management, business development, innovation, or related disciplines.
• Demonstrated understanding of product development and commercialization processes.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to evaluate market opportunities and develop business cases.
• Ability to present, train, and communicate technical and business information effectively to diverse audiences.
• Experience working in cross-functional environments and influencing stakeholders without formal authority.
• Understanding of market development, customer adoption, and product lifecycle management principles.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications; SAP, CRM, and project management software experience preferred.
• Strong relationship-building and collaboration skills.
Additional Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Self-motivated, collaborative, and results-oriented.
• Ability to work independently while driving alignment among diverse stakeholder groups.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguous environments and identifying opportunities for improvement and growth.
Physical Requirements
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods.
• Ability to bend, stoop, and kneel as needed.
• Ability to work in office, plant, laboratory, and field environments, including exposure to varying weather and temperature conditions.
• Ability to wear required PPE.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds as needed.
• Ability to work around asphalt and related materials.
• Ability to travel approximately 40-50%, including overnight travel.
Additional Requirements
• Valid U.S. driver's license and the ability to maintain an insurable driving record.
Why Ergon?
At Ergon, we are a relationship-driven, family-owned company that values each employee's growth and contributions. Headquartered in Flowood, Mississippi, we take pride in maintaining a close-knit, small-company atmosphere while offering exceptional career opportunities. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:
• Competitive pay
• 401(k) matching & profit sharing
• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Plans
• Additional voluntary benefits
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave
• Tuition assistance
At Ergon, we live by our core values:
• Empowered Service : Together, we're committed to delivering unparalleled service. We do what's right, provide solutions, and foster stronger relationships with our teams and customers. Employee safety is our top priority and the first consideration in all aspects of our service. That's empowered service.
• Selfless Leadership : We lead with compassion and put those around us before ourselves. We don't say we're experts; we demonstrate it through technical expertise, category innovation, and care for what we do. We call this selfless leadership.
• Purposeful Growth : We believe employee and company growth go hand in hand. We build our legacy together to ensure future success through purposeful growth. The company has continually reinvested tremendously back into the business, not just growing for the sake of growing but growing carefully and strategically.
• Respectful Relationships : Together, we foster a culture of respect, acceptance, and diversity of ideas and people. Our differences make us stronger. We're united by our shared values, constantly forging respectful relationships.
Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer M/F/D/V