Product Development Specialist

3M•Maplewood, MN

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Product Development Specialist serves as the technical lead for product development and commercialization projects within the CBG Home Improvement Tapes and Masking Systems portfolio. The role guides programs from consumer need and technical concept through launch and lifecycle support, leading cross-functional teams to develop and commercialize tapes, masking systems, films, adhesives, and related Home Improvement products. The position develops technical strategies, development plans, and risk mitigation approaches using expertise in materials science, product engineering, manufacturing processes, and Consumer Packaged Goods product development. It applies experimentation, laboratory and customer testing, and data-driven decision-making to validate product performance, manufacturability, quality, regulatory compliance, and consumer acceptance. The role also supports scale-up, process validation, supplier qualification, manufacturing readiness, and resolution of technical challenges throughout the product lifecycle. It provides technical leadership for New Product Introduction programs in partnership with Marketing, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and external partners. The position is on-site five days a week at the 3M Center in Maplewood, Minnesota, and may involve up to 20% travel. Relocation assistance may be authorized. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the country of employment without employment visa sponsorship.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering, materials science, chemistry, physics, or a related technical discipline, completed and verified before the start date.
At least five years of experience in product development, product engineering, materials development, process development, or technical commercialization in a private, public, government, or military environment.
Legally authorized to work in the country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Material Science Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or another related technical field from an accredited institution.
Ten years of experience in product development, product engineering, materials development, process development, or technical commercialization, including in consumer packaged goods.
Experience developing and commercializing Consumer Packaged Goods, home improvement products, or other high-volume consumer-facing products, including using consumer insights to guide technical decisions.
Demonstrated success leading cross-functional product development teams from concept through commercialization in a fast-paced consumer products environment.
Experience applying consumer insights, voice-of-customer research, market analytics, statistical analysis, designed experiments, product testing, and risk-management tools to guide product design and technical decisions.
Knowledge of manufacturing processes, quality systems, and commercialization requirements for high-volume consumer products.
Strong project management, technical leadership, and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to influence across functions and organizational levels.

Responsibilities

Serve as technical lead for product development and commercialization projects in the CBG Home Improvement Tapes and Masking Systems portfolio, guiding programs from consumer need and technical concept through launch and lifecycle support.
Lead cross-functional teams to design, develop, and commercialize tapes, masking systems, films, adhesives, and related Home Improvement products, using consumer insights and market trends to develop differentiated solutions.
Determine technical strategies, development plans, and risk mitigation approaches using expertise in materials science, product engineering, manufacturing processes, and Consumer Packaged Goods product development.
Implement experimentation, laboratory and customer testing, and data-driven decision-making to validate product performance, manufacturability, quality, regulatory compliance, and consumer acceptance.
Support commercialization, including scale-up, process validation, supplier qualification, manufacturing readiness, and resolution of technical challenges throughout the product lifecycle.
Provide technical leadership for New Product Introduction programs, partnering with Marketing, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and external partners to deliver consumer-focused innovations and business growth objectives.
Comply with corporate policies, procedures, and security standards while performing assigned duties.
Contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.