R&E Manager

Job Description

You were made to do this work: exploring uncharted questions, engineering innovative solutions, advancing scientific understanding, and constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. You want to be part of a performance culture dedicated to solving real-world problems with purpose and precision. You want to work in an environment that promotes sustainability, inclusion, wellbeing, and career development. In this role, you’ll help us shape the future and improve lives for billions of people around the world.

It starts with YOU.

In this role, you will:

Support the Kimberly Clark North America (KCNA) Front-End Innovation (FEI) Team under the Personal Care R&D organization based in Neenah, Wisconsin. This role oversees the team that is responsible for developing and implementing the Intellectual Assets Strategies for all Personal Care Innovation programs, coordinating Competitive Intelligence testing and reporting and New Technology Development in collaboration with the Innovation Capability Teams (ICT’s). Through engaging in strategic innovation projects across all Personal Care brands, the incumbent will benefit from unique learning opportunities that foster career growth within the organization. The incumbent reports to a Senior Director and receives direction in the form of specific project and innovation pipeline objectives.

Influence

The incumbent will interact daily with the global R&D community consisting of product, process, and material experts accountable for Personal Care IA strategies, KCNA competitive intelligence and technology development. The incumbent will oversee the Intellectual Asset Review Committee (IARC, a cross-functional group of SMEs) and ensure that we are adequately protecting the IP generated from the various Personal Care programs around the world.  The incumbent will also lead and coach the team in obtaining and reporting competitive information, to build the organization’s awareness of competition.  The incumbent will provide leadership and influence the direction of advance material development and validation.  In addition, the incumbent will interface daily with the R&D Leadership Team, planning work assignments for their team members based on future portfolio needs in addition to team leader tasks around talent development and organizational effectiveness.  The incumbent is expected to routinely present to the cross-functional leadership up to CSO and Presidents of the BCC and AFC business units.

Responsibilities/Deliverables

• Lead the Personal Care Intellectual Assets (IA) team to develop and execute the strategies to protect IP that is generated from our innovation programs and research.  Responsibilities in this space include ensuring IA strategies are developed, stakeholders are informed and aligned, and R&D leaders are engaged to mitigate risks as appropriate.  This role is also responsible to lead the Annual Idea Awards to celebrate innovation and IP generation that will translate to Kimberly-Clark’s longer term competitive advantage.
• Lead the KCNA Competitive intelligence team to coordinate and report product testing and product tear downs of relevant competitive launches across personal care, covering both Baby and Child Care (BCC) and Adult and Feminine Care (AFC).  This team also acts as the conduit to the Mind the Gap global competitive intelligence initiative.
• Lead the filling and advancement of the upstream technology pipeline that will enable delivery of KCNA FEI programs across BCC and AFC, in close collaboration with ICT’s (Innovation Capability Team) and Material COE’s (center of excellence).  This role and team will act as the conduit to the upstream team (ICT’s and COE’s) and the KCNA FEI Product Teams – informing the upstream development teams of the technical gaps, while also pulling technologies and conducting “in-product” validations.
• As a key technology development leader, this person will also ensure awareness and access to external technology trends from Asia, which has been an innovation hub in recent years for absorbent hygiene products and nonwoven materials. 
• People leadership to include talent development, performance management, compensation planning and organizational effectiveness. Will lead a team of 7-10 scientists, engineers and technologists.
• Work independently and progress with limited instruction and as part of a larger cross functional team.
• Protect and defend Kimberly-Clark proprietary product and technology through the appropriate use of patents and trade secrets.
• Lead, coach, and mentor team members to increase technical understanding and ability to execute programs to improve Personal Care's business results.
• Ensure all work complies with corporate safety, regulatory, product safety, and sustainability requirements.
• Ensure that all elements of the corporate Human Resources Development policy are fully supported.

Influence

The incumbent will interact daily with the global R&D community consisting of product, process, and material experts accountable for Personal Care IA strategies, KCNA competitive intelligence and technology development. The incumbent will oversee the Intellectual Asset Review Committee (IARC, a cross-functional group of SMEs) and ensure that we are adequately protecting the IP generated from the various Personal Care programs around the world.  The incumbent will also lead and coach the team in obtaining and reporting competitive information, to build the organization’s awareness of competition.  The incumbent will provide leadership and influence the direction of advance material development and validation.  In addition, the incumbent will interface daily with the R&D Leadership Team, planning work assignments for their team members based on future portfolio needs in addition to team leader tasks around talent development and organizational effectiveness.  The incumbent is expected to routinely present to the cross-functional leadership up to CSO and Presidents of the BCC and AFC business units.

About Us

Huggies®. Kleenex®. Cottonelle®. Scott®. Kotex®. Poise®. Depend®. Kimberly-Clark Professional®. You already know our legendary brands—and so does the rest of the world. In fact, millions of people use Kimberly-Clark products every day. We know these amazing Kimberly-Clark products wouldn’t exist without talented professionals, like you.

At Kimberly-Clark, you’ll be part of the best team committed to driving innovation, growth and impact. We’re founded on more than 150 years of market leadership, and we’re always looking for new and better ways to perform – so there’s your open door of opportunity. It’s all here for you at Kimberly-Clark.

Led by Purpose. Driven by You.

About You

You perform at the highest level possible, and you appreciate a performance culture fueled by authentic caring.  You want to be part of a company actively dedicated to sustainability, inclusion, wellbeing, and career development.
 

You love what you do, especially when the work you do makes a difference. At Kimberly-Clark, we’re constantly exploring new ideas on how, when, and where we can best achieve results.

In one of our R&E roles, you’ll focus on winning with consumers and the market, while putting safety, mutual respect, and human dignity at the center. To succeed in this role, you will need the following qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in related scientific or engineering discipline.
• 7+ years of broad experiences in material development (research or engineering, product/material development, project management roles or other related experience).
• Demonstrated leadership skills providing work direction to a team
• A demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and across functional and geographical boundaries to complete projects within required timeframes.
• Exceptional skills effectively communicating/translating complex technical concepts to others.
• Effectively communicating and influencing business, leadership, and team members across all levels of the organization. 
• Demonstrated strengths in these skills: scientific communication, technology development and IP generation, scientific experimentation methods, analysis and planning/organizing.
• Travel up to 15% if needed, including some international travel.

Preferred:

• Experience in developing FMCG products, especially absorbent hygiene products.
• Experience analyzing material properties and impact on product performance.
• Experience in materials development including translating material development needs from prototype to commercial scale demonstrations, completing material and product validations.
• Strong executional skills resulting in successful implementation of projects and programs, particularly for those leveraging new technology, material or products solutions to deliver on consumer and business needs. 
• Experience leading material and product commercial launch activities with global manufacturing partners.
• Experience communicating effectively and influencing leaders.
• Work experience in Research & Development organization, including experience in executing both technical and consumer studies, and translating consumer insights into tangible innovation opportunities. 
• Strong understanding of Personal Care products, brands, business and technologies.
• Strong mentoring skills of technical talent.
• International experience in a global organization.

Total Benefits

Here are just a few of the benefits you’d enjoy working in this role for Kimberly-Clark. For a complete overview, see www.mykcbenefits.com.
 

Great support for good health with medical, dental, and vision coverage options with no waiting periods or pre-existing condition restrictions. Access to an on-site fitness center, occupational health nurse, and allowances for high-quality safety equipment.

Flexible Savings and spending accounts to maximize health care options and stretch dollars when caring for yourself or dependents.

Diverse income protection insurance options to protect yourself and your family in case of illness, injury, or other unexpected events.

Additional programs and support to continue your education, adopt a child, relocate, or even find temporary childcare.

To Be Considered

Click the Apply button and complete the online application process. A member of our recruiting team will review your application and follow up if you seem like a great fit for this role.

In the meantime, please check out the careers website.

And finally, the fine print….

For Kimberly-Clark to grow and prosper, we must be an inclusive organization that applies the diverse experiences and passions of its team members to brands that make life better for people all around the world, which is why we seek to build a workforce that encompasses the experiences of our consumers.  When you bring your original thinking to Kimberly-Clark, you fuel the continued success of our enterprise. We are a committed equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. Statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for this position. 

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, and DMV check. 

Veterans and members of the Reserve and Guard are highly encouraged to apply.

Kimberly-Clark will support in-country relocation for the chosen candidate for the role. The benefits provided will be per the terms of Kimberly-Clark’s applicable mobility policies. The benefits/policy provided will be decided at Kimberly-Clark’s sole discretion.

#LI-Onsite

Salary Range: 127,600 – 157,600 USD

At Kimberly-Clark, pay is just one aspect of our total rewards package, which also includes a variety of benefits and opportunities to achieve, thrive and grow. Along with base pay, this position offers eligibility for a target bonus and a comprehensive benefits suite, including our 401(k) and Profit Sharing plan. The anticipated base pay range for this role is provided above for a fully qualified hire. Actual pay will depend on several factors, such as location, role, skills, performance, and experience. Please note that the stated pay range applies to US locations only.

Primary Location

Neenah - West R&E Office

Additional Locations

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time