Manager of Research and Development (R &D)

SC Johnson•Bay City, MI

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

SC Johnson is a fifth-generation family company built on the spirit of our people. We have been leading with purpose for over 130 years, building iconic brands that win the hearts and minds of consumers – such as Raid®, Glade®, Ziploc® and more, in virtually every country around the world. Together, we are creating a better future – for the planet, for future generations and for every SCJ team member. Join our winning team of Wave Makers and Go Getters and help us write the next chapter in the SCJ story. We are currently searching for a Manager of Research and Development (R&D). In this role, you will manage the technical elements of a strategic product form (or a well-defined subset), delivering superior solutions that drive North America business results and continuous growth. You will manage a rolling year product pipeline to provide superior products, a continuous cadence of base business news, claims support, and a robust technology roadmap for key product forms. Additionally, you will have people management accountability to lead, develop, and maintain a highly capable, curious, and engaged team that has direct impact on the strategic and technical capabilities of the North America market. Strong collaboration and ability to influence leaders with cross functional business groups such as Marketing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Finance is critical to success in this role.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering and 7+ years of related research and development/new product development/manufacturing experience, OR an advanced degree and 5+years of related research and development/new product development/manufacturing experience.
Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship for full-time employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG) and/or Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industries
People management, coaching or mentoring experience
Project Management experience
Proven ability to lead/manage across countries, functions, divisions, and management levels
Strong influencing, strategic thinking, and leadership skills
Demonstrated collaboration skills, including strong evidence of cross-functional partnerships/relationships
Demonstrated leadership skills to lead a diverse R&D team
Experience and understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities for data analyses and insights, simplifying processes, etc.
Ability to influence cross-functional leaders at multiple levels of the organization to drive cultural and process changes
Ability to build cohesiveness and trust within the team, balanced with judgment that can make the right decisions and commitment to deliver what is promised
Able to develop strategic plans for long term value improvement while also possessing ability to Drive for Results in short term
Take prompt action to accomplish goals; proactively attempt to influence events rather than passively accept outcomes
Ability to effectively communicate new ideas and approaches to audiences ranging from executive management to consumers
Ability to work effectively with internal and external cross-functional team members in a cooperative co-located environment
Proven track record in delivery commitments with significant impact to key business metrics (growth, share, margin improvement) including creative, innovative new product development processes that result in product and portfolio growth
Ability to understand and integrate technical information into business decisions
Define technical development requirements and robust product validation plans

Responsibilities

Attract and retain talent while fostering a performance-driven culture
Develop those in reporting organization through training opportunities, coaching, and performance management practices including conducting annual performance reviews, management succession, and development activities
Build an engaged team with the required functional skill sets that understands their roles and responsibilities in delivering SCJ business objectives
Leverage business, market, and category acumen to optimize business results
Build and provide deep technical knowledge, business context, and competitive set information to drive robust project execution decisions
Develop people and project prioritization plans with peers to balance technical development, project delivery and personal development
Ensure project staffing with the right capability and resources (people, tools, equipment, and budget) to drive business results
Collaborate with business partners to deliver aligned cost savings and profitability goals while maintaining product quality and consumer experience
Drive alignment and enrollment to a course of action among key cross-functional peers in R&D, Marketing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Finance
Understand category landscape and consumer needs and apply appropriately to maintain and enhance consumer experience and value to drive superiority while ensuring that project objectives and execution are aligned to those key consumer elements
Create/develop portfolio strategies/objectives while directing team and long-term portfolio management
Identify, develop, and recommend new and improved global offerings in existing categories, formats, and brands that lead to profitable growth – ideation to launch
Provide thought-partnership in the development of strategic plans for R&D pilot plant and tool room in Bay City
Reach across management lines and collaborate with peers to achieve priority divisional initiatives
Identify and escalate issues to senior management as needed to ensure transparency and project success
Deliver commitments within budget and aligned timing expectations- demonstrating operational efficiency and effectiveness
Demonstrate behaviors that reflect SCJ Success Drivers and establish a “Mindset to Win” culture in R&D category team
Demonstrate strong R&D functional skills, including effective communication, financial acumen, integrated risk management, project management, quality, robustness, regulatory & safety, scientific rigor, and technical curiosity