At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to develop innovative construction solutions and drive customer-centric projects.
- Company: Join Saint-Gobain, a global leader in sustainable construction.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, career growth, and a diverse, inclusive culture.
- Other info: Collaborative environment focused on sustainability and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of construction with cutting-edge R&D and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Degree in Chemistry or Materials Science with strong R&D leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
At Saint-Gobain we are looking for an R&D Manager to join our Global R&D team in East Leake, helping to deliver innovative, customer-centric interior finishing solutions for construction markets worldwide. This R&D Manager role will lead a team of technical specialists focused on developing powder products, paste products, adhesives and interior drywall finishing systems. Working closely with global stakeholders, application experts and customers, this role offers the opportunity to influence strategic innovation projects from early-stage research through to commercial product development. You’ll play a key role in shaping future-focused solutions that support sustainability, performance and customer needs across international markets.
What we’re looking for:
- Degree qualified in Chemistry, Materials Science or a related scientific discipline, with significant industrial R&D experience within a manufacturing environment.
- Proven leadership experience managing and developing technical teams within product formulation, material development or construction solutions.
- Strong understanding of translating customer and market needs into innovative, solution-oriented R&D programmes.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence globally across technical and commercial teams.
- Experience delivering complex innovation or product development projects within a multi-functional and international environment.
What you will be doing:
- Lead and develop a team of R&D professionals, ensuring capability growth aligned to business and global R&D strategies.
- Drive customer-centric innovation projects from concept research through to commercial development and manufacturing implementation.
- Collaborate with global R&D, marketing and application teams to align innovation activity with strategic business priorities.
- Identify new technologies, materials and external partnerships, including universities and research organisations, to support future innovation opportunities.
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement, sustainability, safety and high-performance delivery across all R&D activities.
Saint-Gobain is a worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, following our purpose of ‘Making the World a Better Home’. We play a part in improving daily life through high-performance solutions. From wherever you are, let your unique personality and our values guide you every day to invent a more sustainable world. 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!
Research And Development Manager employer: Saint-Gobain Limited
At Saint-Gobain, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in our East Leake location. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through continuous development opportunities and a focus on sustainability, ensuring that our team members can contribute meaningfully to projects that enhance everyday life. Join us to be part of a diverse and inclusive environment where your unique talents are valued and encouraged.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Research And Development Manager
✨Leverage Innovation Hubs
Tap into local innovation hubs and research centres. These places often host events and workshops where you can meet like-minded people and industry leaders. Plus, they might have job openings that aren't widely advertised, so keep your ears open!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Turn your past innovation projects into compelling stories. Create a portfolio showcasing your creativity and problem-solving skills. This can give hiring managers a real flavour of what you can bring to the table at companies like Saint-Gobain Limited.
✨Connect at Industry Conferences
Make it a point to attend industry conferences and seminars focused on R&D and innovation management. These events are fantastic for networking and often have job boards or career fairs where you can connect directly with firms looking for talent.
✨Use Your University’s Resources
If you're fresh out of university, don't forget to tap into your institution's career services. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies seeking new talent in R&D, especially for full-time roles. It's a good shortcut to landing a gig at places like Saint-Gobain Limited.
We think you need these skills to ace Research And Development Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Creative Thinking:In innovation and R&D management, it's all about thinking outside the box. Make sure your CV highlights any projects or experiences that showcase your creative problem-solving skills. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've developed and implemented innovative ideas in previous roles.
Tailor Your Experience to R&D:When you're crafting your CV, focus on your experience in research and development. Highlight any relevant projects you've worked on, including methodologies used and results achieved. This will show us at Saint-Gobain Limited that you understand the R&D process and can contribute meaningfully to our projects.
Let Your Passion Shine in the Cover Letter:For a full-time role like this, your cover letter should reflect your genuine passion for innovation and development. Share your excitement about the opportunity to work at Saint-Gobain Limited and touch on how your goals align with our mission. This helps us see your motivation for wanting to join our team!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in R&D! Whenever possible, quantify your achievements in your CV. Whether it’s a percentage improvement in project outcomes, the budget size you’ve managed, or the number of successful products you've launched, these figures will help paint a clearer picture of your impact and capabilities.
How to prepare for a job interview at Saint-Gobain Limited
✨Show Off Your Innovative Thinking
In an Innovation R&D Management role at Saint-Gobain Limited, they're going to want to see how you approach problem-solving. Be ready to discuss previous projects where you introduced a new idea or process. Highlight your ability to think outside the box and provide examples where your innovations drove significant results.
✨Familiarity with Tools and Technologies
Make sure you're clued up on the latest tools and technologies related to innovation management, such as project management software and data analysis platforms. Being able to discuss specific tools you’ve used or have experience with will show Saint-Gobain Limited that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since this is a full-time gig, emphasising your teamwork skills will be essential. In innovation, collaboration often sparks the best ideas, so be ready to talk about how you've worked effectively within cross-functional teams in your past roles. Have concrete examples at the ready!
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions in your interview that reflect real challenges you might face in the role. £At Saint-Gobain Limited, they might want to see how you handle tight deadlines or manage conflicting ideas within a team. Prepare some responses that demonstrate your critical thinking and decisiveness in high-pressure situations.
