The Products and Systems R&D Director is accountable to accelerate growth through the creation and deployment of a portfolio of new products, systems and key innovation capabilities, specifically focused on transformational early-stage ideas and new platforms for growth related to the building envelope. The director will identify key technology and product themes relevant to our businesses and lead the R&D team to identify optimal solutions.  The director will collaborate across functions to develop new products and applications, and to develop evaluation frameworks for products and technologies that can broaden the OC portfolio through business development, business incubation, acquisition, investment, or other mechanisms.

To deliver on these objectives, the Products and Systems R&D Director leads teams with the following capabilities:

• Building Science – a blend of fundamental thermal, structural and moisture building science, building code expertise and commercial relationships for taking innovations into the market.
• Products Research – qualitative and quantitative capabilities to generate insights related to user experiences and unmet needs.
• Product Innovation – a blend of material science, rapid prototyping, and testing.
• Program/Product Management – leaders well connected with business partners to execute the product innovation portfolio.

Additionally, this role leverages the full capabilities of Enterprise R&D, which includes Modeling, Testing – Fire, Acoustic, Rheology, Materials Fundamentals and Process Innovation and Automation. This person works across core businesses and functions with strong collaboration with R&D leaders, Strategic Marketing, Commercial teams and Corporate Strategy/Development. The role serves on the Enterprise R&D Leadership team working closely with peers to shape, govern and execute the Enterprise Strategy to deliver transformational innovations that can be operationalized at scale.

Reports To:  VP, Enterprise R&D

Span of Control:  Directly leads a team of 6 with a total organization size of 27.

Location:  Granville, OH

Develop and execute a portfolio of product and systems innovation of builder solutions delivering $300MM in revenue by 2030

• Balance organic and inorganic opportunities to deliver new technologies for superior moisture, thermal and structural performance
• Lead business case development and concept testing.
• Lead Alliance/partnership management.
• Deliver IP analytics and technical knowledge management systems.
• Communicate regularly with Sr Executives to embed Enterprise R&D contribution as key component of future OC Long Range Plans.

Lead the identification of strategic opportunities across the enterprise.

• Identify and develop business opportunities that focus on key technologies that support our aspiration to be the building products leader in NA and EU.
• Evaluate and initiate external partnerships and intellectual property creation/acquisition to accelerate learning and achievement of milestones.
• Identify and develop business cases around adjacency opportunities in the marketplace that enhance our ability to win.
• Work closely with a range of internal stakeholders, identify and align on key problems and themes across the enterprise can have a significant growth impact to OC.  Lead team to identify external technologies and products that could offer the potential to accelerate growth.
• Develop concepts for potential projects that match opportunities identified with high impact applications and quick, proof-of-concept evaluations.
• Work with external partners and internal groups to develop and execute proof-of-concept projects to quickly test and prove out the hypotheses identified.

Lead the Products and Systems R&D team to be a catalyst in transforming the way we innovate at OC.

• Drive the development of best-in-class organizational capabilities required to enable the Products and Systems strategy.
• Connect dots between building science, material science, and system solutions - how we create products and go to market.
• Develop and lead a high-performance, inclusive organization that fosters continuous learning.
• Introduce, educate and coach others across OC to scale team capabilities for Enterprise leverage.
• Rapidly build rapport and develop effective partnerships with all levels across the organization.
• Create a culture of collaboration and accountability, providing ongoing development opportunities.
• Identify and recruit strong talent, developing a pipeline for succession.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• B.S. degree in engineering; MBA or Advanced degree in science or engineering, preferred.

• Minimum 10 years of experience in a commercial environment focused on innovation, technology development and strategy.
• Ability to travel 10-20%

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• Working with innovation, commercialization, new product development, applications development, customer support, marketing and new business development.

• Building strategic and execution-focused plans, and cross business / functional partnerships, influencing leadership and teams.
• Experience in open innovation environments focused on identifying and incubating high risk and potentially disruptive technologies.

• Leading within matrixed organizations; leading cross-functional and global teams.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & ABILITIES                                                                                     

• Technical – Rapidly understands technology and industry applications and how to apply it effectively to meet customer needs.

• Curious – Challenges the status quo for greater impact and innovation. Listens and learns from one another’s diverse skill sets and experiences. Relentlessly pursues solutions that exceed customer expectations
• Innovative and Resilient – Listens to and leverages others, quickly scans the full picture; promotes innovation and calculated risk, showing emotional control, stress tolerance, and agility
• Collaborative – Works horizontally across the enterprise; demonstrates an innate preference for collaboration and partnerships; brings challenge to discussions without shutting others down; epitomizes inclusive leadership by creating safe learning environments where diverse perspectives thrive; invests in the success of others, building strong teams and bench.
• Analytical –Market analytics and financial acumen with experience working with business and financial models.
• Strategic – Capable of translating high-level business ideation discussions into a tight executable strategy. Takes a strategic and logical approach to complex enterprise-wide challenges
• Outcome Oriented (Drive to achieve)– Gets results by adjusting quickly and focusing on top priorities.  Drives team to deliver ambitious objectives, develop capabilities, and win

• Effective Communicator - Clearly and concisely conveys information, both written and verbal. Shares information, perspective, and ideas openly with all levels of the organization.

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About Owens Corning

Owens Corning is a residential and commercial building products leader committed to building a sustainable future through material innovation. Our products provide durable, sustainable, energy-efficient solutions that leverage our unique capabilities and market-leading positions to help our customers win and grow. We are global in scope, human in scale with more than 25,000 employees in 31 countries dedicated to generating value for our customers and shareholders and making a difference in the communities where we work and live. Founded in 1938 and based in Toledo, Ohio, USA, Owens Corning posted 2024 sales of $11.0 billion. For more information, visit www.owenscorning.com. 

Owens Corning is an equal opportunity employer.