At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire a team to drive innovation in gypsum products.
- Company: Join Saint-Gobain, a global leader in sustainable construction solutions.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, commitment to sustainability, and a diverse workplace.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of learning and collaboration in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of construction with impactful innovation strategies.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in leadership roles, ideally in product management or R&D.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
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.
Innovation Lead- Gypsum in East Leake employer: British Gypsum
At Saint-Gobain, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration that empowers our employees to lead and inspire. As a Gypsum Innovation Lead, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of our gypsum portfolio while working in a supportive environment that values diversity and encourages continuous learning. With a commitment to sustainability and a focus on meaningful customer impact, you'll be part of a global organisation dedicated to making the world a better home.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Lead- Gypsum in East Leake
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your past successes in innovation and team leadership. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, let them see what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for interviews! Research the company and its products, especially in gypsum innovation. Think about how your experience aligns with their goals and be prepared to discuss it confidently during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us. It shows initiative and enthusiasm, which are key traits we look for in our future team members.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Lead- Gypsum in East Leake
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Gypsum Innovation Lead role. Highlight your experience in managing teams and driving innovation, as well as any relevant projects that align with our strategic goals.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see how you inspire and develop teams. Share specific examples of how you've led innovation initiatives or improved processes in previous roles. This will help us understand your collaborative leadership style.
Communicate Clearly:Your written application should reflect strong communication skills. Be clear and concise about your achievements and how they relate to the role. Remember, we value clarity in conveying innovation strategies and priorities.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at British Gypsum
✨Know Your Innovation Tools
Familiarise yourself with innovation toolkits like design thinking and outcome-driven innovation. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles, especially in managing teams or projects related to product development.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your collaborative leadership style. Think about times when you inspired a team or drove change in a complex environment, and be ready to share these stories during the interview.
✨Understand Customer Needs
Since customer-led innovation is key, come prepared with insights on how you've translated customer feedback into actionable innovation strategies. This will demonstrate your ability to keep customer needs at the forefront of decision-making.
✨Communicate Clearly with Stakeholders
Practice articulating your innovation strategy and priorities clearly. Be ready to explain how you've effectively communicated with senior stakeholders in the past, ensuring alignment with business goals and growth objectives.
