Head of Data, AI and Digital Applications - Purchasing (M/F)Saint-Gobain

Saint-Gobain est présent dans 70 pays avec plus de 170 000 collaborateurs. Le Groupe mobilise les savoir-faire de ses sociétés et propose une offre de solutions pour des bâtiments confortables, plus économes en énergie et plus agréables à vivre au quotidien. Il positionne également ses matériaux de haute performance sur les marchés industriels et de consommation tels que l'automobile, l'aéronautique, la santé ou l'énergie.

Saint-Gobain's Purchasing function is pursuing an ambitious transformation centered on Data, Artificial Intelligence, and process digitalization. With an international environment covering more than 100 ERPs, 12 business activities, and 76 countries, data and digital tools play a critical role in value creation, operational performance, and decision-making.

In this strategic role, you will define and lead the Data, AI, and Digital Applications roadmap for the Purchasing function to enhance performance, data quality, process automation, and value creation on a global scale. You will operate at the intersection of Purchasing teams, Group IT, business functions, regions, and technology partners to ensure the consistency, relevance, and adoption of deployed solutions.

You will be responsible for a broad ecosystem including the Purchasing Data Lake, business data models, management dashboards, supplier master data, data quality tools, Market Intelligence platforms, and a comprehensive portfolio of Purchasing digital applications covering Supplier Portal, e-Procurement, e-Sourcing, e-Negotiation, e-Contracting, and performance management solutions.

You will also contribute to accelerating the adoption of AI within Purchasing, whether through automation, advanced analytics, enhanced user experience, or decision-support capabilities.

Reporting to the Regional Chief Purchasing Officer (CPO) in charge of the Digital Transformation for the Group Purchasing function, you will leverage an international organization of more than 30 employees and consultants, including a direct team based in Paris La Défense.

You will work closely on a daily basis with Chief Purchasing Officers, Purchasing Directors, IT teams, CFOs, and CIOs/CDIOs.

Your responsibilities

Data & Analytics Strategy

Define and drive the Purchasing Data & Analytics roadmap to foster a data-driven decision-making culture. You will oversee the evolution of data models, management tools, and performance indicators aimed at improving the effectiveness of the function.

Data Governance & Quality

Establish and lead Purchasing data governance, ensuring data quality, reliability, and compliance. You will also oversee strategic master data management and ensure adherence to security and confidentiality requirements.

Purchasing Digital Applications

Manage the global portfolio of Purchasing digital solutions and define development priorities according to business needs. You will support process automation, improve user experience, and drive user adoption across the organization.

Artificial Intelligence & Innovation

Identify, test, and deploy high-value AI use cases for Purchasing. You will contribute to the innovation of the function by developing new applications in analytics, automation, and decision support while maintaining active technology monitoring.

Leadership & Performance Management

Lead a multidisciplinary international team and oversee resources, budgets, and project portfolios. You will monitor initiative progress, manage priorities, and participate in governance committees to ensure the achievement of objectives.

Change Management

Support the digital transformation of the Purchasing community by developing the teams' Data and Digital capabilities. You will lead training initiatives, promote solutions across Group entities, and foster sustainable adoption.

Occasional travel is required, approximately one trip per quarter (India and Europe).

You hold a Master's degree (Bachelor's +5 years) in Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field, and have at least 10 years of experience leading international and cross-functional digital transformation, information systems, or data projects, including the management of multidisciplinary teams. Throughout your career, you have been involved in defining application architectures, system integrations, and governance frameworks while ensuring data quality. You are proficient in data analysis and visualization tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or equivalent platforms, and have a strong interest in AI, automation, and low-code/no-code technologies.

Ideally, you have already worked on Purchasing-related processes and solutions such as Coupa, SAP Ariba, Ivalua, Jaggaer, GEP, Oracle, SAP, or equivalent platforms.

You are a leader capable of defining a strategic vision and mobilizing international teams around ambitious value-creation objectives. With excellent communication and influencing skills, you can engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, from data engineers to business and executive leadership teams.

You combine innovation, pragmatism, and strong results orientation. You are recognized for your analytical capabilities, your ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and operate successfully in complex multicultural and matrix environments.

As you will be working in a highly international environment, fluency in English is essential.