About Grainger:
Grainger is a leading broad line distributor with operations primarily in North America, Japan and the United Kingdom. We achieve our purpose, We Keep the World Working®, by serving more than 4.5 million customers with a wide range of products that keep their operations running and their people safe. Grainger also delivers services and solutions, such as technical support and inventory management, to save customers time and money.
We're looking for passionate people who can move our company forward. As one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, we have a welcoming workplace where you can build a career for yourself while fulfilling our purpose to keep the world working. We embrace new ways of thinking and recognize everyone is an individual. Find your way with Grainger today.
Position Details:
As a Senior Manager of Innovation Research & Design, you will be part of a team of product managers, engineers, scientists, and technologists and will develop cutting-edge capabilities to further Grainger's technological leadership in the MRO industry. You will help design advanced, innovative solutions to solve a wide spectrum of business and customer challenges using technologies such as Computer Vision, Deep Learning, Conversational AI, 3D Imaging and LiDAR, Augmented/Virtual Reality, AI Robotics & IoT, and multimodal Machine Learning. From there, you will work closely with production teams within Grainger's Technology Group (GTG) to harvest innovations into product roadmaps and scale them for production.
This is a hands-on, player-coach role to guide and build research, design and test prototypes, and ensure we are creating value for users by utilizing technology. You will report to the Sr Director, User Experience. You will be based in Chicago or Lake Forest, IL.
You Will:

• Utilize design thinking and design research methodologies to explore problem spaces, frame problems, generate insights, and ideate solutions that can be tested with end-users
• Plan and facilitate workshops with cross-functional team members to drive learning, decisions, and alignment
• Help determine where and how technology can increase efficiency and effectiveness of Grainger's internal users and customers

You Have:

• A passion for emerging technology and how it is being utilized to solve problems today
• Formal education in Human Centered Design, Design Methods, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) or related field
• 7+ years leading research and design projects and teams with a focus on service design or innovation
• Experience testing prototypes and proofs of concepts and defining success
• Experience flexing between design strategy and design execution
• The ability to navigate ambiguity and experience utilizing methods and activities that can help create clarity
• Experience leading/mentoring user experience, product, or service designers
• Experience working with data scientists, machine learning engineers, and technologists
• An understanding of UX/UI best practices and conventions
• Excellent project management skills

Rewards and Benefits:
With benefits starting day one, Grainger is committed to your safety, health and wellbeing. Our programs provide choice to meet our team members' individual needs. Check out some of the rewards available to you at Grainger.

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage starts day one
• Paid time off (PTO) days and 6 company holidays per year
• 6% 401(k) company contribution each pay period
• Education assistance, including financial counseling, tuition reimbursement and low-cost degree options
• Employee discounts, parental leave, and more

DEI Statement
We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.