Senior Product Scientist

Kimberly-Clark • Neenah, WI

32d • Hybrid

About The Position

You’re not the person who will settle for just any role. Neither are we. Because we’re out to create Better Care for a Better World, and that takes a certain kind of person and teams who care about making a difference. Here, you’ll bring your professional expertise, talent, and drive to building and managing our portfolio of iconic, ground-breaking brands. In this role, you’ll help us deliver better care for billions of people around the world. It starts with YOU. Working on the Front End of Innovation (FEI), the primary purpose of this position is to lead the identification and development of new products and product improvement ideas/concepts for Cottonelle dry bath tissue feeding the FEI (Front End of Innovation) Funnel and chartering of projects for our IMF Stage gate process. This role will work in conjunction with product development team members, marketing Strategy & Innovation, marketing research Insights & Analytics, and other cross-functional teams. The Senior Scientist reports to a Senior Research & Development Manager and receives work direction from the Research Technical Leader, as well as the Research & Development Manager, though this role is largely self-directed. This role will give work direction, coaching, and mentoring to 3-5 indirect team members.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university
• A minimum of 5 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 the R&E and cross-functional organizations
• Demonstrated strengths in the areas of 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 direction to team members not in a direct reporting relationship
• Strong mentoring skills
• 10-20% in-country travel

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science related field
• Prefer 10+ years of relevant experience
• Significant experience in product development and demonstrated ability to execute various stages of product or technology development
• Work experience across a range of Research & Engineering or Marketing disciplines
• Understanding of Family Care products, brands, business, and technologies
• US Grade 10

Responsibilities

• Lead the R&D Innovation Process to identify and develop new products and existing product enhancement opportunities for the Cottonelle dry bath tissue business.
• Manage Front End of Innovation (FEI) funnel projects to meet deadlines, success criteria and budgets.
• Complete one-page documents on funnel ideas and present them to a steering team for endorsement.
• Incorporate benefit hierarchy, brand foundational tools, competitive insights and category/consumer insights into innovation funnel idea development.
• Ensure that funnel ideas and development work is documented, stored, accessible and communicated.
• Support customer facing initiatives to optimize business results.
• Protect and defend K-C proprietary product and technology through the appropriate use of patents and trade secrets.
• Share, adopt, and adapt concepts, innovation, and product solutions from the globe/regional partners.
• Ensure all work complies with Corporate Safety, Regulatory, Product Safety, and Quality requirements.
• Interface effectively with the other work stream teams to ensure business success.
• Coach and mentor junior scientists
• 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
• Ability 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.
• Along with base pay, this position offers eligibility for a target bonus and a comprehensive benefits suite, including our 401(k) and Profit Sharing plan.

What This Job Offers

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