Brand Manager, Brand Growth & Innovation - Depend

Kimberly-Clark; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work model

401(k) and Profit Sharing

Relocation support

Job summary

Kimberly-Clark, Chicago, is seeking a Brand Manager to lead Depend brand growth and innovation across North America. You will drive 3‑year strategy, collaborate with R&E, Design, Sales, and Finance, and translate consumer insights into compelling brand narratives and go‑to‑market plans.

You will work with global teams to scale innovation, manage P&L, and influence cross‑functional partners in a matrix setup. Travel 10‑20% is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business/marketing; MBA preferred.
• 5+ years of marketing and brand management experience in a B2B/CPG setting.
• Strong cross-functional leadership across product, manufacturing, sales, and finance.
• Solid P&L, annual planning, budgeting and execution experience.
• Ability to translate consumer insights into brand strategy and messaging.
• Experience developing 3-year brand portfolio plans and innovation.
• Willingness to travel 10–20% of time.

Responsibilities

• Develop innovation concepts grounded in consumer insight and brand strategy.
• Lead cross-functional teams from concept to readiness for commercialization.
• Drive 3-year brand portfolio strategy with insights and programs.
• Support go-to-market strategies linking consumer proposition to retail execution.
• Serve as liaison with channel and sales strategy as voice of the consumer.
• Collaborate with global teams to scale innovation and consumer insights.
• Provide real-time recommendations to improve net sales and profit.
• Lead materials prep for workshops and meetings.
• Identify and lead process improvements at brand level.
• Champion design thinking and agile methods across NA.

Skills

Brand management

Cross-functional leadership

P&L management

Marketing strategy

Consumer insights

Communication

Travel

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/marketing

MBA preferred

Job description

Job Description

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

Job Description

Join the team behind iconic brands like Huggies®, Kleenex®, Cottonelle®, Scott®, Kotex®, Poise®, Depend®, and Kimberly-Clark Professional®. 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.

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.

In your Brand Manager role, you’ll help us deliver better care for billions of people around the world. The Brand Growth and Innovation (BG&I) Brand Manager on Depend® will lead brand building initiatives across North America as well as develop, gain support for, and lead 3–5-year strategy & innovation plans. The Brand Manager will lead and influence cross‑functional partners in a matrix organization to include R&E, Product Supply, I&A, RGM, Design, and Sales.

In This Role, You Will

• Develop innovation concepts grounded in consumer insight and brand strategy – translating insights into clear positioning, value propositions, and brand narratives
• Lead cross‑functional teams through key stages to prepare the launch of major innovation programs including: Concept development, Testing and iteration, Claims and RTB development, Readiness for commercialization handoff
• Leverage consumer, customer, and category insights to partner with Senior Brand Manager to drive development of 3-year brand portfolio strategy and supporting innovation programs.
• Support development of go‑to‑market strategies, ensuring a strong linkage between consumer proposition, channel strategy, and retail execution.
• Serve as key liaison with channel and sales strategy as voice of the consumer and brand/innovation subject matter expert.
• Partner with global teams to drive scale innovation and consumer insight projects.
• Leverage knowledge of P&L and collaborate with finance and other partners to bring forward real time recommendations that drive net sales and operating profit goals while solving issues facing the business.
• Lead the process of materials preparation for various workshops, customer meetings, and steering committees.
• Identify and lead process improvements at the key project or brand level.
• Champion Design Thinking and agile methodologies across Kimberly‑Clark NA.

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

• Bachelor’s degree in business/marketing. Masters/MBA with concentration in marketing degree preferred.
• 5+ years’ experience in marketing with brand management (B2B - CPG companies) and experience in the following areas:
• Skilled development and execution of brand marketing related to new product development; cross‑functional leadership including product development, manufacturing/, sales, finance
• Solid understanding of P&L management, annual business planning, budget setting, and subsequent execution of those plans to deliver results.
• Strong understanding of brand foundational tools, consumer insight identification, segmentation, and target development.
• Concept & Brief writing of both product innovation and renovation and commercial news.
• Proven capability to lead in a matrix organization driving collaboration across businesses and functions.
• Ability to pull insights from multiple sources and synthesize into both internal compelling stories for change and external facing selling materials.
• Deep skills and experience with diagnosing and resolving complex problems and opportunities.
• Entrepreneurial can‑do attitude to find ways to break down growth barriers.
• Demonstrated positive energy to effectively represent brand internally and externally.
• Travel 10-20% of the work time.

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 encompasses the 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.

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.

Salary Range: 140,320 – 173,360 USD

At Kimberly-Clark, pay is just one aspect of our total rewards package, which also includes a variety of benefits and opportunities to achieve, thrive and grow. 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. The anticipated base pay range for this role is provided above for a fully qualified hire. Actual pay will depend on several factors, such as location, role, skills, performance, and experience. Please note that the stated pay range applies to US locations only.

Primary Location

Chicago Commercial Center

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time