Brand Growth and Innovation Leader

Kimberly-Clark; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Flexible work model

Job summary

Kimberly-Clark is seeking a Brand Growth and Innovation Leader to shape the future of the Feminine Care portfolio in North America. You will drive consumer‑driven innovation, manage a team of Brand Growth & Innovation Managers, and influence cross‑functional partners in a matrix world.

The role focuses on strategy, product design, packaging, pricing and forecasting to deliver net sales, operating profit and market share growth. Travel 10–20% is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business/Marketing or equivalent.
• 10+ years in marketing with brand management in B2B/CPG.
• Innovation strategy, concept and product development experience.
• Brand tools, consumer insights, segmentation and targeting.
• Brand positioning and strategy development experience.
• P&L management and cross-functional business knowledge.
• Experience leading at least one direct report.
• Ability to lead in a matrix organization and manage agency partners.
• Willingness to travel 10–20% of time.

Responsibilities

• Lead North America brand growth and 3–5 year innovation plans for Kotex portfolio.
• Manage Brand Growth & Innovation Managers and cross‑functional partners.
• Develop, gain support for, and execute consumer‑driven innovation pipelines.
• Guide strategy, concept creation, product design, pricing, packaging and forecasting.
• Collaborate on Strategic Business Plan and prioritize brand investments.
• Present to North American Leadership and influence cross‑functional teams.

Skills

Brand management

P&L management

Innovation strategy

Consumer insights

Brand positioning

Brief writing

Cross-functional leadership

Team management

Agency management

Travel 10-20%

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Marketing

Master’s/MBA preferred

Job description

Feminine Care Brand Growth & Innovation Leader

Join the team behind iconic brands like Huggies®, Kotex®, Poise® and Depend®. At Kimberly-Clark, it’s all here for you—innovation, growth, and the chance to make a real impact.

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.

Do you have a consumer-obsessed mindset and passion for transformational innovation? Are you always on the lookout for the next breakthrough opportunity and have a track-record of bringing disruptive innovation to life? We are looking for a creative and proven innovator to join as a Brand Growth and Innovation Leader to help define the future of the Feminine Care business at Kimberly-Clark.

The Feminine Care Brand Growth and Innovation Leader will lead brand building initiatives across North America for the Kotex® portfolio as well as develop, gain support for, and lead three-to-five year strategy & innovation plans. In this role you will lead Brand Growth and Innovation Brand Manager(s) and consultants while also leading and influencing cross-functional partners in a matrix organization. The ideal candidate is a creative and strategic thinker with a passion and proven track record for managing an innovation portfolio to deliver on business growth goals and push the boundaries of what's possible.

About You

In one of our professional roles, you’ll focus on winning with consumers and the market, while putting safety, mutual respect, and human dignity at the center.

Job responsibilities include:

• Drive identification, prioritization and fulfilment of unmet/underserved consumer needs.
• Articulateinsight based, consumer driven innovation strategy through the lens of the market dynamics, consumer, competition, brand and financial goals.
• Drive the delivery of a validated, consumer-driven and transformational innovation pipeline to bring to market, including leading strategy, concept creation, product design and delivery, channel strategy, pricing, shelving, primary packaging and forecasting.
• Collaborate on development of the Strategic Business Plan, guiding brand priorities over a three-to-five-year horizon.
• Lead a cross functional team to drive continuous development of innovation, renovation and commercial news pipeline.
• Collaborate with the Global team to drive prioritization, scale and consistency of front-end innovation development.
• Drive business model innovation including (but not limited to) import/export of winning innovation from total enterprise, agile concept and prototyping approaches and resources.
• Delivery of business objectives for a brand including net sales, operating profit, gross margin, and market share including knowledge of full P&L levers.
• Consumption and shipment forecasting for brand with an understanding of managing risks and opportunities and associated gap closing activities.
• Effective management and prioritization of innovation priorities and the innovation budget.
• Presenting and influencing the North American Leadership Team.

To succeed in this role, you will need the following qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business and/or Marketing.
• 10+ years’ experience in marketing with brand management (B2B - CPG companies)
• Experience leading innovation strategy, concept and product development and commercialization
• Strong understanding of brand foundational tools, consumer insight identification, segmentation and target development.
• Experience with brand positioning and brand strategy development.
• Concept & Brief writing for product innovation, renovation and commercial news
• P&L management; development and execution of brand marketing; cross- functional knowledge; direct experience in all various aspects of business including manufacturing, product & technology development and product supply.
• Experience managing at least one direct report.
• Proven capability to lead in a matrix organization driving collaboration across businesses and functions.
• Demonstrated capability in leading agency partners in long-term projects.
• Travel 10-20% of the work time.

Preferred Qualifications

• A Masters/MBA with concentration in Marketing preferred.

Led by Purpose. Driven by You.

Total Benefits

We believe that our employees are our greatest asset, and we're committed to providing them with the resources they need to be successful. If you're looking for a rewarding career with a company that cares about its employees, then Kimberly-Clark is the place for you.

Here are just a few of the benefits you’d enjoy working in this role for Kimberly-Clark. For a complete overview, see www.mykcbenefits.com

Flex That Works at Kimberly-Clark

We believe great work happens when people come together with purpose. That’s why we offer a flexible work model that blends remote work with intentional in-person collaboration — helping you connect, grow, and innovate while maintaining the balance you value.

And finally, the fine print….

For Kimberly-Clark to grow and prosper, we must be an inclusive organization that applies the diverse experiences and passions of its team members to brands that make life better for people all around the world, which is why we seek to build a workforce that encompassesthe experiences of our consumers.When you bring your original thinking to Kimberly-Clark, you fuel the continued success of our enterprise. We are a committed equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. Statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for this position.

Employment is subject to verification of local policies.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests which may include drug screening, background check, and DMV check.

Veterans and members of the Reserve and Guard are highly encouraged to apply.

Kimberly-Clark will support in-country relocation for the chosen candidate for the role. The benefits provided will be per the terms of Kimberly-Clark’s applicable mobility policies.The benefits/policy provided will be decided at Kimberly-Clark’s sole discretion.

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