Research & Engineering Manager

Kimberly-Clark Corporation; Neenah (WI); Hybrid; USD 128,000 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work model

Job summary

Kimberly-Clark Corporation in Neenah, WI is seeking a Research & Engineering Manager to lead a high-performing team focused on innovating product solutions and driving growth for brands including Huggies, Kleenex, and Kotex.

The role emphasizes people leadership, product development lifecycle, and cost optimization while ensuring compliance with FDA quality systems and safety requirements for Class II devices. A growth mindset and ability to navigate complexity are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• 7+ years of experience in R&D product development.
• Demonstrated leadership of a multi-functional team.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and complexity.
• Proven ability to influence decisions across organizational levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing team to deliver innovative product solutions addressing customer needs.
• Provide people leadership including talent development, performance mgmt, succession planning, compensation, and org effectiveness.
• Coach and mentor team on product development, commercialization, lifecycle management, and cost optimization initiatives.
• Ensure all work complies with FDA QSRs, internal quality standards, and safety requirements for Class II medical devices.
• Establish timelines, learning plans, resource allocation, and budgets to meet milestones and priorities.
• Drive critical decisions on product strategy, project execution, launch readiness, risk management, and success criteria.
• Foster collaboration, remove barriers, and communicate progress transparently; elevate issues as needed.
• Champion safety, quality, regulatory compliance, sustainability, innovation, and IP protection.

Skills

Leadership

Decision making

Communication

Influence

Ambiguity tolerance

Education

Bachelor's degree in related discipline

Job description

Research & Engineering Manager 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 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 of a 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.

About You In one of our Engineering 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: Leading and developing a high-performing team to deliver innovative product solutions that address customer needs and drive U by Kotex® tampon business growth. Providing people leadership, including talent development, performance management, succession planning, compensation, and organizational effectiveness. Coaching and mentoring team members to successfully execute product development, commercialization, lifecycle management, and cost optimization initiatives. Ensuring all work is conducted in compliance with FDA Quality System Regulations, internal quality standards, and product safety requirements for Class II medical devices. Establishing project timelines, learning plans, resource allocation, and budgets to deliver initiatives against key milestones and business priorities. Driving critical business decisions related to product strategy, project execution, launch readiness, risk management, and success criteria. Fostering collaboration, remove barriers, communicate project progress transparently, and elevate issues as needed to ensure successful delivery. Championing a culture of safety, quality, regulatory compliance, sustainability, innovation, and protection of intellectual property through patents and trade secrets.

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

• Bachelor's degree in related discipline.
• 7+ years of experience developing and executing product development work in Research & Engineering.
• Demonstrated leadership skills providing work direction to a multi-functional team.
• Comfortable navigating through ambiguity and complexity.
• Demonstrated ability to influence people at all organizational levels, drive decision-making and execute complex projects on demanding timelines.
• Ability to operate with a growth mindset and have strong mental fortitude to lead a team through challenges.
• A history of delivering strong results for the business.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience providing coaching and development of team members.
• Proven ability to collaborate across functions/departments to drive balanced business decisions.
• Prior experience working with FDA regulated products or medical devices.
• Prior experience on U by Kotex® or other branded period care products.
• Prior experience as a Research & Engineering project leader.

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.

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

127,600 - 157,600 USD

Primary Location Neenah, WI, USA

Additional Locations Roswell, GA, USA

Worker Type Employee Worker Sub-Type Regular Time Type Full time

Fueled by ingenuity, creativity, and an understanding of people's most essential needs, we're working to find new ways to make a positive impact on the world we share. Kimberly-Clark and its trusted brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, Intimus, Neve, Plenitud, Sweety, Softex, Viva and WypAll, are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries by helping individuals experience more of what's important to them. We use sustainable practices that support a healthy planet, build stronger communities, and ensure our business thrives for decades to come.

To learn more about the company's 150-year history of innovation, visit kimberly-clark.com.