Initiatives Leader

Essity; Dover (DE); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vision Insurance

Dental Insurance

401(k) with employer match

Life & disability insurance

PTO with holidays

Scholarship program for children ofEss

Employee wellness programs

Job summary

Essity in Dover, Delaware is seeking an Initiatives Leader to turn material innovation into manufacturing performance. You will steer material development and coordinate cross-functional teams across product development, packaging, quality, procurement, engineering, and operations to move new materials from concept to production.

The role emphasizes material specifications, validation, trials, and continuous improvement, with leadership to guide suppliers and internal partners.

Qualifications

• Degree in engineering, materials science, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of relevant engineering experience, ideally in manufacturing, NPD, quality or materials engineering.
• Experience working with SAP and Microsoft Office tools.
• Knowledge of materials, packaging, manufacturing processes, validation/qualification, project management and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Material Development: develop and maintain material specs, BOMs, data and testing requirements.
• New Product Introduction: assess material feasibility with cross-functional teams for launches.
• Validation & Trials: coordinate material aspects of validation activities and production trials.
• Continuous Improvement: identify and implement material improvements to performance and efficiency.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: work with engineering, procurement, operations and suppliers.
• Supplier & Quality Support: define material characteristics and resolve quality concerns.
• Technical Leadership: coach others on material specs, defect reporting and problem-solving.

Skills

SAP

Microsoft Office

Project management

Materials knowledge

Leadership

Education

Engineering or Materials Science degree

Job description

Initiatives Leader Want to turn material innovation into better manufacturing performance? Ready to lead initiatives from concept through production? Join Essity and use your engineering expertise to improve products, processes, and well-being through meaningful innovation.

About the Role

As an Initiative Material Leader at Essity in Dover, Delaware, you will lead material-related initiatives that connect product development with successful manufacturing execution. The position works across materials, packaging, quality, procurement, engineering, operations and other technical functions to help bring new products and material improvements into production. You will evaluate material changes, support qualification and validation, coordinate production trials, and identify opportunities to improve material performance. You may also contribute to broader continuous improvement, equipment, and manufacturing initiatives. This is an on-site role working primarily first-shift hours, typically 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with limited travel.

What You Will Do

• Material Development: Develop and maintain material specifications, technical data, Bills of Materials, and testing requirements for new and existing products.
• New Product Introduction: Partner with product, packaging, engineering, and manufacturing teams to assess material feasibility and support successful product launches.
• Validation & Trials: Coordinate material aspects of validation and qualification activities, including production trials, test materials, and collection and evaluation of test data.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement material improvements that enhance manufacturing performance, quality, reliability, efficiency, and material utilization.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with engineering, research and development, packaging, procurement, supplier quality, operations and other stakeholders on material development and optimisation.
• Supplier & Quality Support: Collaborate with suppliers and internal teams to define and optimise material characteristics, investigate material issues, and support effective resolution of quality concerns.
• Technical Leadership: Coach colleagues on material specifications, characteristics, defect reporting and problem-solving while providing leadership and influence across initiatives.

Who You Are

You have a degree in engineering, materials science, or a related technical discipline, or a combination of relevant technical education and significant applicable experience.

You bring 5+ years of relevant engineering experience, ideally within manufacturing, new product development, quality, materials engineering, supply chain or a related environment.

You have experience working with SAP and Microsoft Office tools.

Knowledge of materials, packaging, manufacturing processes, validation or qualification, project management and continuous improvement is valuable.

You combine strong safety awareness with leadership and influencing skills, analytical problem-solving, sound decision-making, stakeholder management, prioritisation, communication, collaboration and the ability to coach others.

You are comfortable working across functions and with suppliers to translate technical requirements into practical manufacturing solutions.

What We Can Offer You

Our purpose, Breaking Barriers to Well-being, provides meaning to everything we do. Join us to improve well-being for people and drive positive change for society and the environment. At Essity, you'll feel valued, empowered to grow and challenged to achieve business results in a collaborative and open atmosphere.

Compensation and Benefits

• Expected Compensation: Competitive annual salary + annual incentive bonus + benefits.
• Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors such as knowledge, skills and experience.
• United Healthcare PPO / EyeMed Vision Insurance / Delta Dental Insurance.
• Wellness program provided through Rally Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• 401(k) with employer match and annual employer base contribution.
• Company paid Basic Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• PTO offering with Paid Holidays.
• Scholarship program for children of Essity employees.

More About Dover, Delaware

This position is based on-site at Essity's Dover, Delaware manufacturing location. You will work closely with manufacturing and technical teams, giving you direct visibility into how material decisions, engineering solutions and improvement initiatives translate into production results.

Additional Information

The Company is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees pursuant to applicable law.

We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, gender identity or expression, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process please contact [e-mail]

Essity is a leading global hygiene and health company. Our expertise began with the acquisition of the Swedish company Mölnlycke in 1975, through which our roots stretch back to 1849. Today, our sustainable innovations from globally trusted brands, designed for everybody and every body, care for the well-being of 1 billion people in 150 countries every day. Working at Essity is not just a career but a chance to make the world healthier, safer, and more hygienic.

We innovate for good to break barriers and contribute to shaping a healthier future. At Essity, we have a people-first approach where every career is as unique as the individual. We empower employees to excel together and reach their full potential through a winning culture driven by a powerful purpose.

We provide a sustainable work-life based on flexibility for both employees and employers. We are committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in everything we do. It is the key to our success in creating an inclusive, collaborative and caring company culture where you can be you with us.

Our purpose of Breaking Barriers to Well-being enables customers and consumers to lead fuller lives at all stages of life. Our leading global brands include TENA and Tork, and other strong brands such as Actimove, Cutimed, JOBST, Knix, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Modibodi, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, TOM Organic and Zewa are sold in 150 countries.

In 2024, Essity had net sales of approximately SEK 146bn (EUR 13bn) and employed 36,000 people. We are headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.

If you want to join a company where dedication to people is powered by innovation, welcome to Essity!