Job Description
Gypsum Innovation Lead
On-site, 5 days per week
About the role
We’re looking for an experienced Gypsum Innovation Lead to shape and drive innovation across our gypsum portfolio at Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions.
This is a senior leadership role, responsible for leading a team of Solution Developers and managing a portfolio of innovation and development projects aligned to SGIS and Saint-Gobain strategic goals. You’ll play a key role in concept development, innovation strategy and continuous improvement, ensuring we deliver meaningful value to customers and maintain our competitive edge in the construction market.
While this role is not hands-on technically, it is deeply connected to physical products, systems and customer outcomes. You’ll work closely with sector teams, central functions and external partners to turn insight into scalable, compliant and commercially successful solutions.
What you’ll be doing
* Leading, developing and inspiring a team of Solution Developers to deliver innovation excellence
* Owning the gypsum innovation portfolio, ensuring projects align with business strategy and growth objectives
* Driving concept development, from early insight through to robust business cases
* Working closely with sector teams to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement
* Clearly communicating innovation strategy, priorities and progress to senior stakeholders
* Championing customer-led innovation, ensuring customer needs are at the heart of decision-making
* Identifying opportunities for Continuous Improvement (CI) and enabling progress across the organisation
* Fostering a strong learning and innovation culture, encouraging curiosity, collaboration and knowledge sharing
* Ensuring solutions are delivered in line with compliance, safety, sustainability and regulatory requirements
* Representing SGIS externally with customers, partners, trade bodies and industry forums as required
About you
You’re a people-focused innovation leader with a strong background in managing teams and delivering change in technically complex environments. You’re comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels and thrive in environments with ambiguity and evolving challenges.
You’ll bring:
* At least 5 years’ experience managing people, ideally in Product Management, R&D or a similar technical environment
* Experience leading innovation, development or improvement initiatives involving physical products
* A working knowledge of product development and innovation toolkits (e.g. design thinking, outcome-driven innovation)
* Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels
* A collaborative leadership style that brings teams together and enables progress
* A problem-solving mindset, with resilience and adaptability in complex organisations
* The ability to translate customer insight into clear innovation priorities and plans
Nice to have (but not essential):
* Experience in gypsum or construction-related products
* Higher degree in science, engineering or design
* Professional memberships or compliance-related knowledge
Why join Saint-Gobain?
At Saint-Gobain, our purpose is “making the world a better home.” You’ll join a global organisation committed to innovation, sustainability and zero carbon by 2050, where leaders are empowered to shape the future and develop high-performing teams.
If you’re motivated by leading people, shaping innovation strategy and delivering meaningful customer impact, we’d love to hear from you.
Are Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions and Saint-Gobain inclusive employers?
We understand that a diverse workplace is not only a more enjoyable place to be, but also facilitates better decision making and innovation. So, whoever you are, and whichever Saint-Gobain business you join, you can be sure of a warm welcome with us.
And what about flexibility?
At Saint-Gobain, we’re always open to new ways of working. Everyone has different needs and commitments. We’ll happily discuss any need you might have for this role. Whilst we can’t promise to meet every request when we’re recruiting, we do promise to listen.
If you match our criteria, we will be in touch to discuss your experience and more about you as a person — we look forward to hearing from you