Position Summary:

Reporting to the Director, Innovation, the Innovation Specialist is responsible for the delivery of identified innovation opportunities. The Innovation Specialist works with stakeholders to select problems / opportunities that create a sustainable customer value proposition; supporting and conducting internal and external customer validation, solution ideation, business model development, and testing through the lean create, test, learn innovation practice. The Innovation Specialist is versed in available innovation programs; influencing teams and initative to leverage program benefits. The Innovation Specialist will use research and data analysis to identify and validate market opportunities; recommending business process improvements through analysis and technology.

Key Accountabilities:

• Play as a key contributor; delivering and influencing the Innovation Portfolio
• Manage and oversight of Innovation Programs; specifically, government funded programs (i.e.: SR&ED) that provided benefits for Innovation Initiatives (i.e.: tax credits for UFA).
• Manage the innovation pipeline, capturing needs and aligning teams, as required.
• Facilitate, coach, and assist business resources to identify and define business problems; using creativity, developing business models, and prototyping solutions. Conduct internal and external customer validation of problems and hypothesis.
• Advocate and communicate progress, next steps, and generates excitement by creating success stories.
• Stakeholder liaison related to legal, security, and infrastructure requirements.
• Coach and support lean delivery of initative through sprints; problem identification, design, delivery, and deployment of prioritized initiatives.
• Enable organizational growth and value through Innovation.
• Collaborate with external partners and identified startup teams.
• Analyze and relay trends in the market, supported by research and designs.

Required Qualifications:

• Post-secondary degree in business, technology, or related field.
• 10+ years related working experience with at least six years of progressive experience in innovation, business analysis, design thinking, and continuous improvement.
• Entrepreneurial mindset; nimble, action biased, and ability to iterate.
• Strong knowledge of Corporate Innovation; specifically, the lean startup methodology and Business Model Generation.
• Strong research capability in innovative technologies and market trends.    
• Project management knowledge considered an asset.
• Self-starter, results-oriented, with a track record of timely high-quality deliverables.
• Strong communication, presentation, negotiation, facilitation, conflict resolution, and analytical skills.
• Strong relationship building and influencing skills.
• Advanced skills in MS Office Suites and other analytical tools.

Application Instructions:

External Applications:  Please send your cover letter and resume to careers@ufa.com and quote the posting number in the subject line.

Internal Applications: Please email your resumes and Complete Form – Application For In-House Position, posting number, and forward to careers@ufa.com.

We thank all candidates for their interest, however only qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.

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About UFA:

UFA Co-operative Limited is an Alberta-based agricultural co-operative with more than 120,000 member-owners. Founded in 1909, UFA's network comprises more than 111 bulk fuel and Petroleum Cardlock locations, 34 Farm & Ranch Supply stores and a support office located in Calgary. Independent Petroleum agents and more than 950 employees provide products, services and agricultural solutions to farmers, ranchers, members, consumers and commercial customers in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.