Lead Scientist Product

Kimberly-Clark; Neenah (WI); On-site; USD 87,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work model

401(k) and Profit Sharing

Job summary

Kimberly-Clark is seeking a Lead Product Scientist in Neenah, WI to develop and commercialize new products within the Family Care tissue business. You will lead a Research & Development team, collaborating with pilot plants, mills, and cross-functional partners to meet consumer and business needs.

You will advocate safety, ethics, and sustainability, coach staff, and drive innovation while ensuring project budgets and schedules align with corporate policies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university.
• At least 3 years or more 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 organization.
• Demonstrated ability to provide work direction to team members not in a direct reporting relationship.
• 15-25% travel.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership by example in safety, ethics, quality, regulatory, and sustainability, and ensure that all elements of the corporate Human Resources Development and Diversity policy are fully supported.
• Coach and mentor team members to increase technical understanding and ability to execute programs to improve Family Care’s business results.
• Conceive, develop, validate, and share ideas leading to new or improved products, processes, materials, systems or scientific knowledge aligned with business unit objectives.
• Prepare and implement unit budgets and schedules. Implement appropriate internal controls and standards to ensure compliance with applicable policies, laws and regulations.
• Drive a culture of protected and documented innovation to protect and defend K-C proprietary technology, products, and business processes through appropriate use of patents and trade secrets.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Safety & compliance

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree

Engineering or Science related field

Tools

PLM systems

Job description

Job DescriptionJoin 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 were made to create Better Care for a Better World: exploring uncharted questions, engineering innovative solutions, advancing scientific understanding, and constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. You want to be part ofa performance culture dedicated to solving real-world problems with purpose and precision. You want to work in an environment that promotes sustainability, inclusion, wellbeing, and career development. In this role, you’ll help us shape the future and improve lives for billions of people around the world. It starts with YOU. As the Lead Product Scientist you will work on a Research & Development team to develop and commercialize new products and develop enhancements to existing products to meet consumer and business needs within the Family Care tissue business. This role will provide leadership within a team environment to drive initiatives to support the Kleenex Facial tissue business. This role will collaborate broadly with R&D, pilot plant, mill operations and with cross-functional disciplines.

About You

In one of our R&D 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:

• Provide leadership by example in safety, ethics, quality, regulatory, and sustainability, and ensure that all elements of the corporate Human Resources Development and Diversity policy are fully supported.
• Manage self in accordance with expected One KC Behaviors.
• Coach and mentor team members to increase technical understanding and ability to execute programs to improve Family Care’s business results.
• Conceive, develop, validate, and share ideas leading to new or improved products, processes, materials, systems or scientific knowledge aligned with business unit objectives.
• Maintain technical and scientific expertise in an area of technology and communicate impact of developments on Kimberly-Clark.
• Prepare and implement unit budgets and schedules. Implement appropriate internal controls and standards to ensure compliance with applicable policies, laws and regulations.
• Drive a culture of protected and documented innovation to protect and defend K-C proprietary technology, products, and business processes through appropriate use of patents and trade secrets.
• Communicate appropriately and effectively with all customers, internal and external, conducting all communications and transactions with the utmost integrity and honesty to build an unimpeachable business reputation.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university
• At least 3 years or more 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 organization
• Demonstrated strengths in some of these areas: scientific experiment methods/analysis, planning/organizing, developing learning plans, comprehension of technical literature and executing consumer research
• Demonstrated ability to provide work direction to team members not in a direct reporting relationship
• 15-25% travel

Preferred (not Essential, But Desired)

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Science related field
• 5 years or more of relevant experience
• Experience in product development, tissue processes, design of experiments, data analysis and safe operation of high-speed manufacturing and/or converting equipment and processes. The focus of this role will be supporting the Consumer Facial Tissue business, leading product development initiatives in collaboration with process development engineers and the overall project manager.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work in Quality and Specification Management (PLM) systems while providing clear direction as to opportunity areas for improvement.
• Desire and awareness to seek and understand competitive technologies and innovation.
• Demonstrated ability to be coached and help in coaching less-experienced scientists/engineers

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.

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.

This role is available for local candidates already authorized to work in the role’s country only. Kimberly-Clark will not provide relocation support for this role.

Salary Range: 87,260 – 107,780 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

Neenah - West R&E Office

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time