Lead Process Engineer

Kimberly-Clark • Neenah, WI

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Lead Process Engineer provides process engineering support to the Global Adult and Feminine Care (AFC) Research & Engineering team. The role supports end-to-end process development, from early process definition through project commercialization and process optimization across AFC product formats, working across multiple Kimberly-Clark manufacturing sites. The position reports to the AFC R&E Director and receives direction through specific and broadly defined project objectives.

The role leads process development and implementation for Adult and Feminine Care product formats and assets, and provides process leadership to optimize and improve manufacturing and converting processes. It also supports evolutionary process changes in response to changing business conditions. The engineer works with product, materials, engineering, quality, regulatory, product safety, and process validation colleagues to develop and optimize converting equipment and processes, meet unit objectives, and comply with design-control requirements for Class II medical-device manufacturing.

Assignments vary and typically involve project responsibility of $0.5 million to $5 million, teams of 3 to 15 people, and one or multiple projects. The role may require air and ground travel up to 25% of the time. It is based at the Neenah – West R&E Office and follows a flexible work model combining remote work with intentional in-person collaboration.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in an engineering or scientific discipline.
• At least 4 years of experience, or a combination of advanced degrees and fewer years of relevant experience.
• Strong working knowledge and background in the safe operation of high-speed converting equipment.
• Experience working with external technical service providers and sourcing and supply vendor partners.
• Analytical skills to design experiments and collect and assess data in support of technical recommendations.
• Practical experience and knowledge in installation qualification, operational qualification, and performance qualification, and understanding of process validation.
• Ability to effectively influence alignment with technical recommendations.
• Ability to demonstrate One K-C Behaviors.
• Ability to work in a matrix organization and collaborate across functions and departments.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and groups.
• Ability to work under normal office conditions.
• Ability to travel by air and ground as necessary, up to 25% of the time.

Nice To Haves

• Plant and staff experience at Kimberly-Clark, or equivalent experience in an outside industry.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support process development and implementation for Adult and Feminine Care product formats and assets, from conception through commercialization.
• Provide functional guidance in the design, development, and optimization of converting equipment and processes to meet unit objectives and comply with design-control requirements for Class II medical-device manufacturing.
• Acquire and transfer technical knowledge in AFC manufacturing.
• Work with the process validation leader to identify and lead process characterization, support process validation, and deliver process-design-control documentation.
• Apply engineering solutions to address root causes of complex issues.
• Document and support process-related documentation for design-review steps in the design-control process, supporting FDA procedures and requirements.
• Develop and execute plans to optimize and improve existing manufacturing and converting processes, and direct and execute process changes as business conditions change.
• Collaborate with product, materials, engineering, quality, regulatory, and product safety teams.
• Work with external technical service providers and sourcing and supply vendor partners.
• Travel by air or ground as necessary, up to 25% of the time.

Benefits

• Eligibility for a target bonus.
• 401(k) and Profit Sharing plan.
• Comprehensive benefits suite.
• Flexible work model combining remote work with intentional in-person collaboration.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior