Innovation Product Manager

Innovation Product Manager
Full Time Permanent
Location: Toronto, 4x on Site
Client: Canadian Tire

About Us
Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (“CTC”) is one of Canada’s most admired and trusted companies. With more than 90 Owned Brands, 1,700 retail locations, financial services, exemplary e-commerce capabilities, and exciting market-leading merchandising strategies. We dream big and work as one to innovate with purpose for our customers at every level of our business, investing in new technologies and products, and doubling down on top talent to drive the company forward. We offer competitive salaries and wages to CTC employees, as well as store discounts, supported learning through our Triangle Learning Academy, Canadian Tire Profit Sharing, and retirement and savings programs for eligible employees. As part of our enhanced flex benefits program, we offer mental health benefits in the amount of $5,000 per year for benefits-eligible employees and their families, including total well-being, and mental health tools and resources for all employees. Join us in helping to make life in Canada better through living and working our Core Values: we are innovators and entrepreneurs at our core, outcomes drive us, inclusion is a must, we are stronger together and we take personal responsibility. It is an especially exciting time to join CTC and its family of companies where career opportunities are wide-ranging! Join us, where there's a place for you here.
 
Job Description
We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Innovation Product Manager to join our AI and Emerging Technology team. This role is crucial in driving the development and implementation of cutting-edge retail products and capabilities that leverage AI and emerging technology. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in product innovation, a deep understanding of AI and emerging technologies, a passion for creating impactful solutions that meet business and customer needs, and the ability to lead cross-functional teams in delivering innovative solutions.

In this role, you'll:

• Support the development and management of a robust pipeline of innovation products and emerging capabilities that are aligned with the organization's strategic objectives.
• Manage the delivery of innovation products in the AI and Emerging Technology funnel from initial ideation to pilot.
• Define and articulate a clear vision and strategy for each innovation product. 
• Conduct market research, competitive analysis, and customer interviews to identify opportunities and validate product concepts.
• Perform in-depth analysis of the business value of each product and capability, evaluating the desirability, feasibility, and viability of proposed solutions.
• Communicate product vision, strategy, business value, designs, and progress to stakeholders, including executives, technical teams, and other stakeholders.
• Lead cross-functional teams through the entire innovation lifecycle, from ideation and design to development, launch, and post-launch optimization.
• Ensure innovation initiatives adhere to timelines, budgets, and quality standards. Apply design thinking methodologies to ensure products are user-centered and deliver target business value
• Facilitate workshops and co-creation sessions to gather insights and drive innovation.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment and support for innovation initiatives.
• Act as the primary point of contact for all innovation initiatives. Collaborate with marketing, communications, customer insights, and support teams to ensure successful pilot launches, adoption and testing.
• Define and track key product performance metrics to measure innovation success and impact.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the cross-functional innovation team and broader organization.
• Stay current with industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies to drive innovation. Capture and document lessons learned from product initiatives to inform future projects.

What you bring

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or a related STEM field.
• Advanced degrees or certifications in product management, design, or innovation are highly desirable.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in product management, with a focus on emerging technology and innovation
• Proven track record of successfully leading projects from inception to completion, including PoCs, prototypes, and pilots.
• Strong understanding of AI, machine learning, and emerging technologies.
• Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies, and design thinking and agile development practices.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to motivate and guide cross-functional teams.
• Excellent project planning, execution, and monitoring skills.
• Ability to manage multiple products and projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Passion for innovation and emerging technologies
• High ethical standards and integrity in managing innovation initiatives and stakeholder relationships.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
 We are committed to fostering an environment where belonging thrives, and diversity, inclusion and equity are infused into everything we do. We believe in building an organizational culture where people are consistently treated with dignity while respecting individual religion, nationality, gender, race, age, perceived ability, spoken language, sexual orientation, and identification. We are united in our purpose of being here to help make life in Canada better.
 
Accommodations 
 We stand firm in our Core Value that inclusion is a must. We welcome and encourage candidates from equity-seeking groups such as people who identify as racialized, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, women, people with disabilities, and beyond. Should you require any accommodation in applying for this role, or throughout the interview process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to help meet your needs.