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- Tasks: Lead innovation strategy and inspire a creative team to develop groundbreaking products.
- Company: Join James Cropper, a global leader in advanced materials and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days holiday, health cash plan, and pension contributions.
- Why this job: Shape the future of innovation in a collaborative environment with real impact.
- Qualifications: STEM degree and experience in leading innovation teams.
- Other info: Work in the stunning Lake District with excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Shape the Future of Innovation with James Cropper. At James Cropper, we don’t just follow trends – we create them. Our Advanced Materials division is at the forefront of pioneering solutions that redefine industries. We’re looking for an Innovation Lead to join our Innovation & Customer Solutions Group and drive the next wave of market-led product and technology development.
What’s the role? As Innovation Lead, you’ll be the visionary guiding our innovation strategy – identifying unmet market needs, prioritising high-impact concepts, and leading projects from ideation through to technology readiness. You’ll inspire and lead a talented team, foster creativity, and build partnerships that accelerate innovation. This is your chance to position James Cropper as an industry leader and make a tangible impact on the future of advanced materials.
What you’ll do:
- Create and communicate a compelling vision for innovation aligned with our growth strategy.
- Lead and develop a high-performing team, cultivating a culture of creativity and continuous improvement.
- Drive platform development from concept to TRL/MRL 6 using structured stage-gate processes.
- Collaborate with Strategic Marketing to leverage market intelligence and technology trends.
- Build strategic partnerships with universities, research institutions, and industry leaders.
- Represent James Cropper externally through conferences, whitepapers, and thought leadership.
What we’re looking for:
- A STEM degree and significant experience in a senior technical role.
- Proven leadership in innovation teams and experience taking products from development to commercialisation.
- Strategic thinker with strong influencing skills and commercial awareness.
- Passion for emerging technologies and a drive to shape the future.
Why James Cropper? We offer a collaborative environment where your ideas matter, and your ambition can thrive. Based in the beautiful Lake District, you’ll work in a place where innovation meets sustainability. We are offering a competitive salary and benefits including:
- The chance to pave your career with global leadership; you’ll have support from your line manager and a range of learning & development programmes.
- We will help you save for your retirement – join our pension scheme and we’ll match contributions up to 6%.
- 25 days’ holiday per year (pro rata) plus bank holidays.
- Free health cash plan so you can claim back cash for a range of medical expenses.
- Wellbeing support – including a 24/7 employee assistance programme (EAP) for you and your nearest and dearest.
If this sounds like you and you have an interest in working for James Cropper please apply today! We reserve the right to close the vacancy earlier should we identify a suitable candidate or receive a sufficient volume of applications.
Innovation Lead in Kendal employer: James Cropper
Contact Detail:
James Cropper Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Innovation Lead in Kendal
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry leaders, attend conferences, and engage in discussions about innovation. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream role at James Cropper.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your passion for innovation! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your ideas and insights on emerging technologies. Let them see your enthusiasm and vision for the future of advanced materials.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching James Cropper’s recent projects and innovations. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their mission of redefining industries.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the James Cropper team.
We think you need these skills to ace Innovation Lead in Kendal
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft Your Vision: When applying for the Innovation Lead role, make sure to clearly articulate your vision for innovation. We want to see how you align your ideas with our growth strategy and how you can inspire a team to bring those ideas to life.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Highlight your experience in leading innovation teams and taking products from development to commercialisation. We’re looking for someone who can cultivate a culture of creativity, so share examples of how you've done this in the past.
Be Strategic and Influential: Demonstrate your strategic thinking and influencing skills in your application. We want to know how you’ve tackled market needs and built partnerships that drive innovation. Use specific examples to back up your claims!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the James Cropper team.
How to prepare for a job interview at James Cropper
✨Know Your Innovation Stuff
Make sure you’re up to speed with the latest trends in advanced materials and emerging technologies. Research James Cropper’s recent projects and innovations, so you can discuss how your vision aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led innovation teams in the past. Highlight your ability to inspire creativity and drive projects from concept to commercialisation, as this is key for the Innovation Lead role.
✨Understand Market Needs
Familiarise yourself with the market intelligence and technology trends relevant to James Cropper. Be ready to discuss how you would identify unmet needs and prioritise high-impact concepts that align with their growth strategy.
✨Build Connections
Think about potential partnerships you could propose with universities or research institutions. Show that you understand the importance of collaboration in driving innovation and be prepared to discuss how you would foster these relationships.
