Innovation Manager

*Candidates local to the Redmond, Washington area are desired, but the role is a remote position.

Mission 

The Innovation Manager is responsible for identifying, validating, developing, and commercializing strategic growth initiatives that create meaningful new recurring revenue for MAJIQ. 

Unlike traditional Product Management roles that focus on enhancing existing products, the Initiative Manager is responsible for discovering and building MAJIQ's next generation of business expansion. Acting as an internal entrepreneur, this individual identifies significant market opportunities, develops investment-ready business cases, leads customer validation, guides commercialization, and remains accountable for the initiative through its formative years until it becomes an established part of MAJIQ's business. 

The Initiative Manager works across customers, industry experts, Product, Engineering, Sales, Marketing, Finance, and Executive Leadership to transform strategic opportunities into sustainable businesses. 

Why This Role Exists 

MAJIQ has established a strong leadership position within the pulp and paper industry. As manufacturing continues to evolve and traditional markets mature, MAJIQ is committed to expanding into adjacent industries, new business models, and emerging technologies. 

The Initiative Manager exists to identify and create the next generation of growth opportunities that will diversify MAJIQ's business and materially contribute to its long-term success. 

Key Outcomes 

The Initiative Manager will be expected to: 

• Identify and validate strategic growth opportunities capable of becoming significant new businesses for MAJIQ. 

• Develop investment-ready business cases supported by customer validation, market research, and financial analysis. 

• Build strong relationships with customers, prospects, industry experts, and strategic partners to uncover unmet market needs. 

• Lead early customer engagement through advisory councils, design partnerships, proofs of concept, and pilot programs. 

• Partner with Product and Engineering to define commercially viable Minimum Viable Products (MVPs). 

• Develop commercialization strategies including pricing, positioning, go-to-market planning, and customer adoption strategies. 

• Build reference customers and establish early market credibility. 

• Remain accountable for the commercial success and strategic direction of assigned initiatives until they mature into sustainable businesses. 

Responsibilities 

Opportunity Discovery 

• Identify strategic opportunities that leverage MAJIQ's strengths while expanding into adjacent markets and industries. 

• Research emerging technologies, customer challenges, competitive offerings, and market trends. 

• Develop and maintain a pipeline of potential ventures at various stages of maturity.

Market Validation 

• Conduct customer discovery with existing customers, prospects, and industry experts. 

• Estimate Total Addressable Market (TAM) and Serviceable Available Market (SAM). 

• Validate customer pain points, willingness to pay, and competitive differentiation. 

• Build investment theses supported by market evidence. 

Business Case Development 

Develop comprehensive business cases including: 

• Market opportunity 

• Customer value proposition 

• Commercial strategy 

• Pricing model 

• Revenue projections 

• Investment requirements 

• Financial returns 

• Risks and mitigation strategies 
• Present recommendations to Executive Leadership for investment approval. 

Commercialization Leadership 

Partner with Product, Engineering, Marketing, Sales, and Customer Success to: 

• Define MVP scope 

• Prioritize customer requirements 

• Guide commercialization strategy 

• Support product launch 

• Develop sales enablement materials 

• Build customer references 

• Measure adoption and market success 

Venture Leadership 

Serve as the business owner for assigned initiatives by: 

• Monitoring commercial performance 

• Gathering ongoing customer feedback 

• Recommending strategic pivots when appropriate 

• Expanding market opportunities 

• Transitioning mature initiatives into MAJIQ's core business portfolio 

Success Measures 

Success will be measured by: 

• Quality and strategic value of opportunities identified 

• Customer validation achieved 

• Strength of investment recommendations 

• Successful commercialization of new initiatives 

• Customer adoption and market acceptance 

• Strategic contribution to MAJIQ's long-term growth 

• Creation of sustainable recurring revenue businesses 

• Development of reference customers and new market presence 

Core Competencies 

WORKING WITH AI – DEVELOPING WITH AI 

The successful candidate will demonstrate: 

Entrepreneurial Mindset 

Naturally identifies opportunities, embraces uncertainty, and demonstrates the initiative required to build something from the ground up. 

Commercial Acumen 

Understands how businesses create value through customer needs, pricing strategies, recurring revenue models, and profitable growth. 

Strategic Thinking 

Recognizes emerging market opportunities and develops long-term growth strategies aligned with MAJIQ's vision. 

Customer Obsession 

Builds deep relationships with customers and seeks to understand operational challenges before proposing solutions. 

Financial & Analytical Skills 

Develops sound business cases supported by market analysis, financial modeling, and data-driven decision making. 

Influence & Leadership 

Builds alignment across cross-functional teams without relying on formal authority. 

Bias for Action 

Moves quickly from concept to validation while maintaining disciplined decision-making. 

Resilience 

Thrives in ambiguity, adapts to changing market conditions, and learns quickly from both successes and setbacks. 

Qualifications 

Preferred qualifications include: 

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Operations, or a related field. 

• 10+ years of experience in product management, business development, strategy, operations, manufacturing technology, enterprise software, consulting, or entrepreneurial ventures. 

• Demonstrated experience bringing new products, services, or businesses to market. 

• Experience developing business cases, market analyses, and commercialization strategies. 

• Strong financial and analytical capabilities. 

• Excellent communication and executive presentation skills. 

• Ability to travel approximately 25–40%. 

Ideal Candidate 

The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial business builder who enjoys creating new businesses rather than managing mature ones. 

Successful candidates may come from enterprise software, manufacturing, consulting, startups, operations leadership, or corporate innovation. We value individuals who have demonstrated curiosity, resilience, commercial judgment, and the ability to transform ideas into successful businesses. 

This role requires someone who is equally comfortable speaking with customers, developing financial models, presenting investment recommendations to executives, and working alongside product and engineering teams to bring new ventures to market. 

Exempt

Salary Range:

The estimated base salary range for this role is USD$135,000.00 - USD$165,000.00 per year. We include salary ranges in job postings only where required by applicable pay transparency laws, based on the jurisdictions in which the role may be performed. The posted range is a good faith estimate and reflects factors that are subject to change. Final offer amounts may vary based on job-related factors, including work location, candidate experience and expertise, and other relevant considerations.This role will also be eligible for participation in a Company profit sharing bonus plan. Plan details will be provided to you upon hire.Full time employees will also be eligible for enrollment in a wide range of choices of benefits , including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, short/long term disability, 401(k) participation (with company match).The Company provides a minimum of 10 days of vacation for new employees , sick time based on state requirements, 8 Company-paid holidays and 2 personal holidays per year.We recognize the value and importance of diversity and inclusion in our communities and in the workplace. We celebrate diversity and one of our goals as an employer is to create an inclusive work environment for all employees. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation including gender identity or expression, pregnancy, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other category or characteristic protected by law.Applicants with disabilities who would like to require a reasonable accommodation related to any part of the application process may contact us at [email protected]: If an applicant is selected to receive a conditional offer of employment, and in accordance with applicable law, a criminal background check may be conducted before the offer becomes final and employment begins. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and other applicable laws, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.#Majiq