Initiatives Leader

Essity•Dover, DE

11h•Onsite

About The Position

As an Initiative Material Leader at Essity in Dover, Delaware, you will lead material-related initiatives connecting product development with successful manufacturing execution. You will work across materials, packaging, quality, procurement, engineering, operations, and other technical functions to bring new products and material improvements into production. The role includes evaluating material changes, supporting qualification and validation, coordinating production trials, and identifying opportunities to improve material performance. You may also contribute to continuous improvement, equipment, and manufacturing initiatives. This is an on-site position at Essity’s Dover manufacturing location, working primarily first-shift hours, typically 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with limited travel. The role offers direct visibility into how material decisions, engineering solutions, and improvement initiatives translate into production results.

Requirements

A degree in engineering, materials science, or a related technical discipline, or a combination of relevant technical education and significant applicable experience.
At least 5 years of relevant engineering experience.
Experience working with SAP and Microsoft Office tools.
Strong safety awareness.
Leadership and influencing skills, analytical problem-solving, sound decision-making, stakeholder management, prioritization, communication, and collaboration skills.
Ability to coach others and work across functions and with suppliers to translate technical requirements into practical manufacturing solutions.

Nice To Haves

Relevant experience in manufacturing, new product development, quality, materials engineering, supply chain, or a related environment.
Knowledge of materials, packaging, manufacturing processes, validation or qualification, project management, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain material specifications, technical data, Bills of Materials, and testing requirements for new and existing products.
Partner with product, packaging, engineering, and manufacturing teams to assess material feasibility and support successful product launches.
Coordinate material aspects of validation and qualification activities, including production trials, test materials, and the collection and evaluation of test data.
Identify and implement material improvements that enhance manufacturing performance, quality, reliability, efficiency, and material utilization.
Collaborate with engineering, research and development, packaging, procurement, supplier quality, operations, and other stakeholders on material development and optimization.
Work with suppliers and internal teams to define and optimize material characteristics, investigate material issues, and resolve quality concerns.
Coach colleagues on material specifications, characteristics, defect reporting, and problem-solving.
Provide leadership and influence across initiatives.