Senior Innovation Manager (m/f/x) - Military veterans preferred

Senior Innovation Manager (m/f/x)

At DHL, people mean the world to us. That’s why our goal has always been to attract and retain the best talent the world over. We provide challenge and opportunity for personal and professional development. We recognize the difference you bring to our business, and together we share the pride of building THE logistics company for the world.

DHL’s Customer Solutions & Innovations (CSI), one of the business units of DHL, is a globally dedicated organization which simplifies the DHL customer experience by providing a single customer interface and developing innovative industry-tailored solutions for DHL’s largest global customers. Come discover the unique, international spirit of DHL where your commitment is recognized and rewarded.

Task

The DHL Innovation Centers are the industry’s leading platform to launch the digital and physical future of logistics and supply chains, engaging over 15,000 logistics and technology professionals each year. At the Innovation Centers, we engage customers and partners to solve challenges facing supply chains of today and tomorrow. The Innovation Managers take forward the ideas that are generated at the Innovation Center and develop these further through pilot projects that if successful, will be implemented and scaled-out. This role will focus on working with our operations, customers, and partners to identify solutions that will accelerate our innovation agenda in the Americas region.

Principal Accountabilities 

• Initiate and drive innovation projects that accelerate DHL’s digitalization agenda and strengthens our relationships with key customers and partners.
• Identify and manage a portfolio of innovation and research projects which includes the management of both operational pilot projects as well as thought leadership initiatives.
• Apply your expertise to initiate and manage operational pilots leverage state-of-the-art technologies such as robotics, internet of things and artificial intelligence.
• Ability to apply your unique creative skills to thought leadership initiatives including the publication of industry-leading trend reports and show cases at the DHL Innovation Center. This will require working in close coordination with our global innovation teams in Germany, Dubai, and Singapore.
• As part of the global Innovation & Trend Research team, you will also be required to actively engage with DHL’s key customers through events at the Innovation Centers and at conferences.
• Leverage your creativity to drive thought leadership initiatives including publication of industry-leading trend reports (see: https://www.dhl.com/global-en/home/insights-and-innovation/insights/logistics-trend-radar.html), drive external innovation challenges, and scout high-potential startups.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in a Business, Engineering, or Technical Field required; Master’s degree a plus
• 5+ years of professional experience in a related field, preferably with a background in consultancy, business, logistics, engineering, or technology. Leadership experience preferred.
• Inspired, curious, open-minded, and outgoing in character with a passion for innovation, new technologies, and customers.
• Strong project and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent communication skills: you can articulate a complex idea in a simple way that motivates and inspires people, from top executives to operational staff.
• Strong presentation and public speaking skills.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently in an analytical and structured manner.
• Ability to assess business cases and business processes with a talent for identifying innovation opportunities.
• Can-do mentality: you take initiative and can take a hands-on approach, from developing strategy to being on-site at a logistics operation.
• A deep desire to grow, learn, and lead.
• International mindset; willing to travel.

DHL is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics.