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Innovation Program Manager Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

Kohler Co.

NPD Program Manager, WasteLAB

Kohler, WI · On-site

The Program Manager, WasteLAB & Innovation for Good offers a unique opportunity to serve as a senior execution leader at the center of Kohler's WasteLAB and Innovation for Good agenda, driving ...

INNIO

Engineering Program Manager

Waukesha, WI

$129K/yr

With a track record of innovation, INNIO designs, manufactures and services highperformance power ... Lead and manage complex engineering programs consisting of multiple related projects and ...

Innio

Engineering Program Manager

Waukesha, WI

$129K/yr

With a track record of innovation, INNIO designs, manufactures and services highperformance power ... Lead and manage complex engineering programs consisting of multiple related projects and ...

Kohler Co.

NPD Program Manager, WasteLAB

Kohler, WI · On-site

$138K - $217K/yr

The Program Manager, WasteLAB & Innovation for Good offers a unique opportunity to serve as a senior execution leader at the center of Kohler's WasteLAB and Innovation for Good agenda, driving ...

INNIO

Engineering Program Manager

Waukesha, WI · On-site

$129K/yr

With a track record of innovation, INNIO designs, manufactures and services high-performance power ... Lead and manage complex engineering programs consisting of multiple related projects and ...

Alegeus

Sr. Program Manager, AI Transformation

Milwaukee, WI · Hybrid

$114K - $114K/yr

Collaborate with dedicated colleagues, embrace a spirit of innovation, and build an enriching ... As a Sr. Program Manager, Enterprise AI Transformation, these skills are essential for success:

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All JobsInnovation Program JobsInnovation Program Manager JobsInnovation Program Manager Jobs in Wisconsin

Innovation Program Manager information

See Wisconsin salary details

$38.9K

$108.5K

$158.5K

How much do innovation program manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for innovation program manager in Wisconsin is $108,466.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,200.00 and $133,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Innovation Program Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Innovation Program Manager, you need expertise in project management, strategy development, and a background in business or technology, often supported by a relevant degree or certifications like PMP. Familiarity with innovation frameworks, agile methodologies, and collaboration tools such as Jira or Trello is typically required. Strong leadership, creative problem-solving, and effective stakeholder communication are critical soft skills that set top performers apart. These skills enable the successful design, execution, and scaling of innovative initiatives, ensuring organizational growth and competitive advantage.

What does an Innovation Program Manager do?

An Innovation Program Manager oversees and coordinates initiatives that drive innovation within an organization. They design, implement, and manage programs that encourage creative thinking, development of new products, and improvement of existing processes. Their responsibilities often include collaborating with cross-functional teams, managing budgets, measuring program outcomes, and fostering a culture of innovation. By identifying emerging trends and technologies, they help organizations stay competitive and adapt to changes in the market.

What is the difference between Innovation Program Manager vs Product Manager?

AspectInnovation Program ManagerProduct Manager
Primary FocusDeveloping and managing innovation initiatives and programsOverseeing product development and lifecycle
Required SkillsInnovation strategy, project management, cross-functional collaborationProduct design, market analysis, user experience
Work EnvironmentCorporate innovation labs, R&D departments, cross-industryTech companies, consumer goods, software firms
CertificationsProject management, innovation management certificationsProduct management certifications (e.g., Pragmatic, Scrum)

While both roles involve strategic planning and cross-functional work, the Innovation Program Manager focuses on fostering new ideas and managing innovation initiatives, whereas the Product Manager concentrates on developing and delivering specific products to market.

How does an Innovation Program Manager typically foster collaboration across different departments?

An Innovation Program Manager often acts as a bridge between various teams—such as R&D, marketing, finance, and operations—to drive new initiatives. They facilitate workshops, organize cross-functional meetings, and implement structured processes for idea generation and evaluation. By maintaining open communication channels and aligning stakeholders on shared goals, they ensure that innovative projects have broad support and clear direction. This collaborative approach is essential to overcome silos and accelerate the implementation of creative solutions.
What are popular job titles related to Innovation Program Manager jobs in Wisconsin? For Innovation Program Manager jobs in Wisconsin, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Innovation Program Manager jobs in Wisconsin look for? The top searched job categories for Innovation Program Manager jobs in Wisconsin are:
What cities in Wisconsin are hiring for Innovation Program Manager jobs? Cities in Wisconsin with the most Innovation Program Manager job openings:
Innovation Program Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Innovation Program Manager job openings in Wisconsin as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,466 per year, or $52.1 per hour.
NPD Program Manager, WasteLAB

NPD Program Manager, WasteLAB

Kohler Co.

Kohler, WI • On-site

Other

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

Location: Onsite, four days per week - Kohler, WI

Job Summary:

The Program Manager, WasteLAB & Innovation for Good offers a unique opportunity to serve as a senior execution leader at the center of Kohler's WasteLAB and Innovation for Good agenda, driving impactful, sustainability-focused programs from concept through launch. The Program Manager will own and orchestrate a global, crossfunctional portfolio of new products, capital investments, and strategic initiatives, ensuring disciplined delivery through the Kohler Business Development Process while maintaining the agility required in fastgrowing, lean environments. This position is ideal for a results-driven leader who thrives in ambiguity, influences across functions and regions, and enables outsized impact by translating strategy into execution, aligning investments to priorities, managing risk, and providing clear, decisionready insights to senior leadership.

Responsibilities: 

 Portfolio & Program Leadership

  • Own the integrated WasteLAB and IfG project portfolio, aligning scope, timing, and investment to strategic priorities and global capacity constraints.
  •  Maintain a consolidated portfolio roadmap with clear interdependencies, milestones, and leadership decision points across regions

 KBDP Stage-Gate Governance & Execution

  • Lead projects through KBDP stage-gate governance, ensuring high-quality gate deliverables and decision-ready materials.
  •  Own project charters, schedules, business cases, capital requests, and financial assumptions from concept through launch.

Execution Accountability

  •  Establish integrated project plans with clear ownership, milestones, and dependencies across geographically distributed teams.
  •  Actively track commitments, drive accountability to deadlines, and escalate issues with clear impact assessments and recommended paths forward.

Risk & Issue Management

  • Identify and manage risks, assumptions, constraints, and dependencies across programs operating in dynamic environments.
  •  Partner cross-functionally and globally to remove barriers and sustain project momentum.

Flexibility to Support Project Needs

  • Adapt level of process, rigor, and documentation to align with KBDP expectations while meeting the specific needs, scale, and maturity of each project.
  •  Provide hands-on support where required, shifting between strategic planning, gate preparation, and detailed execution to ensure outcomes are achieved.

KBDP Maturity & Continuous Improvement

  • Reinforce consistent use of KBDP tools, deliverables, and operating cadence while maintaining pragmatism appropriate for lean, fast-moving teams.
  •  Enable teams to focus effort on high-impact work, driving disproportionate results relative to team size.

Executive & Stakeholder Communication

  • Deliver concise, action-oriented updates on portfolio health, KBDP gate status, risks, and required leadership decisions.
  •  Serve as a trusted execution partner to WasteLAB and IfG leadership.

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