Lead Product Developer

Kimberly-Clark • Neenah, WI

3d • Onsite

About The Position

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: Work on a Research & Development team to identify, develop and commercialize product innovation that delivers on business needs within the Family Care tissue organization. Provide product leadership within a team environment to drive innovative initiatives in support of the Viva and Scott consumer towel business. Issue project leadership over smaller consumer towel initiatives. This role will collaborate broadly inside the corporation with R&D, pilot plant, mill operations and with cross-functional disciplines. Report to the R&D Senior Manager within Family Care Research and Development. Provide leadership by example in safety, ethics, quality, regulatory, and sustainability, and ensure that all elements of the corporate Human Resources Development and Diversity policy are fully supported. Manage self in accordance with expected Kimberly-Clark Ways of Working. Coach and mentor team members to increase technical understanding and ability to execute programs to improve Family Care’s business results. Conceive, develop, validate, and share ideas leading to new or improved products, processes, materials, systems or scientific knowledge aligned with business unit objectives. Maintain technical and scientific expertise in technology and communicate impact of developments on Kimberly-Clark. Prepare and implement unit budgets and schedules. Implement appropriate internal controls and standards to ensure compliance with applicable policies, laws and regulations. Drive a culture of protected and documented innovation to protect and defend Kimberly-Clark proprietary technology, products, and business processes through appropriate use of patents and trade secrets. Communicate appropriately and effectively with all customers, internal and external, conducting all communications and transactions with the utmost integrity and honesty to build an unimpeachable business reputation. Works closely with the Project Lead, Marketing, Supply Chain, and I&A teams, among others, to define and validate the product design that achieves project goals. Coach and mentor junior scientists. Able to influence without authority required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university.
• 3+ years of experience in product development, technology development, executing consumer and/or technical/scientific studies.
• Strong communication skills and ability to influence leadership across all levels of R&E and cross-functional organization.
• Demonstrated strengths in some of these areas: scientific experiment methods/analysis, planning/organizing, developing learning plans, comprehension of technical literature and executing consumer research.
• Experience in executing consumer research through various market research methodologies and test methods.
• Demonstrated ability to provide work directions to team members not in a direct reporting relationship.
• 15-25% travel (domestic).

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science related field.
• 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience in product development, tissue processes, design of experiments, data analysis and safe operation of high-speed manufacturing and/or converting equipment and processes.
• The focus of this role will be supporting the Intimate Care Dry business, leading product and material optimization projects and initiatives.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work in Quality and Specification Management (PLM) systems while providing clear direction for areas for improvement.
• Desire and awareness to seek and understand competitive technologies and innovation.
• Demonstrated ability to be coached and help coach less-experienced scientists/engineers.

Responsibilities

• Work on a Research & Development team to identify, develop and commercialize product innovation that delivers on business needs within the Family Care tissue organization.
• Provide product leadership within a team environment to drive innovative initiatives in support of the Viva and Scott consumer towel business.
• Issue project leadership over smaller consumer towel initiatives.
• Provide leadership by example in safety, ethics, quality, regulatory, and sustainability, and ensure that all elements of the corporate Human Resources Development and Diversity policy are fully supported.
• Manage self in accordance with expected Kimberly-Clark Ways of Working.
• Coach and mentor team members to increase technical understanding and ability to execute programs to improve Family Care’s business results.
• Conceive, develop, validate, and share ideas leading to new or improved products, processes, materials, systems or scientific knowledge aligned with business unit objectives.
• Maintain technical and scientific expertise in technology and communicate impact of developments on Kimberly-Clark.
• Prepare and implement unit budgets and schedules.
• Implement appropriate internal controls and standards to ensure compliance with applicable policies, laws and regulations.
• Drive a culture of protected and documented innovation to protect and defend Kimberly-Clark proprietary technology, products, and business processes through appropriate use of patents and trade secrets.
• Communicate appropriately and effectively with all customers, internal and external, conducting all communications and transactions with the utmost integrity and honesty to build an unimpeachable business reputation.
• Works closely with the Project Lead, Marketing, Supply Chain, and I&A teams, among others, to define and validate the product design that achieves project goals.
• Coach and mentor junior scientists.
• Able to influence without authority required.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees