Business Innovation Manager

About Toyota Financial Services

Toyota Financial Services (TFS), a division of Toyota Motor Corporation Japan, provides retail, leasing, and dealer financing services to Toyota and Lexus dealerships and customers throughout Canada. Headquartered in Markham, Ontario, TFS is recognized globally for its technological leadership, quality, continuous growth, and environmental responsibility.

Role Overview

The Business Innovation Manager is a key leadership position reporting to the Vice President of Business Operations at TFS. This full-time permanent role is based in the Markham head office and is instrumental in driving organization-wide operational excellence, kaizen culture, and mobility strategies that enhance efficiency, elevate service quality, and enable new business ventures.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise-wide initiatives in innovation, operational excellence, artificial intelligence, and kaizen to boost performance, efficiency, quality, and customer and employee satisfaction.
• Develop and evolve the TFS Business Innovation Framework, encouraging employee engagement and fostering a culture of innovation; define KPIs to track progress and success of initiatives.
• Translate complex business challenges into structured, value-driven solutions using Toyota Business Practices.
• Balance ongoing transformation projects with daily operational improvements to ensure continuous and visible innovation value.
• Provide leadership and oversight for mobility programs, ensuring stable and improved program performance.
• Manage mobility program forecasting, scenario planning, and use case modeling to support strategic decision-making and scalability.
• Collaborate with global Toyota affiliates and external partners to align mobility models and execution standards.
• Maintain governance over innovation, operational excellence, artificial intelligence, and mobility initiatives including intake, prioritization, and resource allocation.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders using data-driven insights to recommend operational enhancements and expand value chains.
• Lead cross-functional teams spanning operations, technology, analytics, and customer experience to implement sustainable solutions.
• Standardize operational procedures, measurements, and management routines to embed continuous improvements.
• Coach and develop the Business Innovation team, aligning capacity with business priorities and focusing on impactful outcomes.
• Partner with Toyota affiliates and dealers on enhancing the Connected Retail Roadmap to improve customer sales and service experiences.
• Develop and deliver learning programs to equip TFS leaders and employees with skills and tools for innovation and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Operations, Finance, or related fields.
• Over 7 years of leadership experience in innovation, operational excellence, continuous improvement, mobility programs, or enterprise transformation including people management.
• Strong familiarity with Toyota Business Practices and kaizen methodologies such as Lean or Six Sigma.
• Proven ability to collaborate with diverse partners and stakeholders to build consensus and alignment.
• Demonstrable success in achieving measurable results through process improvements and operational management.
• Experience in managing complex programs including forecasting, scenario analysis, and use case development.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills with the ability to engage senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Flexible working hours with a minimum requirement of three days in the office weekly.

Benefits and Work Environment

• A collaborative work culture emphasizing teamwork, flexibility, and respect.
• Competitive salary with bonus opportunities.
• Immediate access to health and dental insurance benefits.
• Company pension plan featuring matched contributions.
• Associate vehicle discounts.
• Opportunities for professional growth with development programs and tuition reimbursement.
• Fitness reimbursement plans.
• Generous paid time off policies.
• A culture rooted in respect for people and continuous improvement.
• Hybrid working environment, tailored by role requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

TFS is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace, valuing diverse perspectives and human experiences. Employment decisions are made without consideration of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, or any other legally protected status.