Senior Scientist - Product

Kimberly-Clark Corporation; Neenah (WI); Hybrid; USD 105,740 - 130,620; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary range in Benefits section

Target bonus eligibility

401(k) and profit-sharing

Flexible work model (remote + in‑per‑l

Job summary

Kimberly-Clark Corporation in Neenah, WI, is seeking a Senior Scientist – Product to lead learning plans, partner with R&D and marketing, and advance consumer and technical studies across iconic brands.

The role emphasizes product design, substantiation of claims, cross‑functional collaboration, and mentoring junior developers while ensuring safety, quality, and sustainability standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related major scientific or engineering discipline (may include other relevant disciplines).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in technical or operational assignments.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.
• Experience in product development and/or technology development preferred.
• Experience executing consumer and/or technical/scientific product studies.
• Strengths in scientific experimentation methods and data analysis.
• Experience leading consumer and technical research studies.
• Experience leading product design changes.
• Ability to work independently or in a team to meet deadlines.
• RD experience across disciplines.
• Strong understanding of Adult and Feminine Care products and brands.
• Strong mentoring skills.

Responsibilities

• Work with R&D project lead, marketing, and Personal Care R&D to develop product learning plans and guide projects from idea to execution.
• Lead interaction with marketing to ensure product design aligns with concept and strategy.
• Champion product design and learning plans for Poise and Depend light-end innovation programs.
• Champion claims substantiation and visualization development to bring innovations to life.
• Protect proprietary product and technology through patents and trade secrets.
• Document key findings and coach junior team members in documentation practices.
• Develop deep product expertise and support cross-functional teams with value/cost optimization and competitive claims.
• Link across projects to solve complex complaints and manufacturing issues.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, regulatory, and sustainability requirements.
• Interface with other work streams to drive business success.
• Provide coaching and mentorship to junior Product Developers.

Skills

Product development

Consumer studies

Scientific experimentation

Mentoring

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in scientific or engineering discipline

Job description

Senior Scientist - Product 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.

Responsibilities

• Working with the R&D project lead and marketing team as well as Personal Care R&D, develop product learning plans and navigate the various stages of a project from idea to execution.
• Lead the interaction with the marketing team to ensure product design is meeting our concept and is on strategy.
• Champion the product design and learning plan for Poise and Depend light‑end innovation programs.
• Champion claims substantiation and benefit visualization development to bring the innovation to life.
• Protect and defend K‑C proprietary product and technology through the appropriate use of patents and trade secrets.
• Document key learnings and significant research findings in a searchable, retrievable format and coach junior team members in their documentation practices.
• Develop and leverage deep product expertise and leverage knowledge cross‑functionally to field questions for existing products, design to value/cost optimization opportunities, competitive claims, etc.
• Make connections between projects and product learnings to solve complex complaint and manufacturing issues.
• Ensure all work complies with corporate safety, quality, regulatory, product safety and sustainability requirements.
• Interface effectively with the other work stream teams to ensure business success.
• Provide coaching and mentorship to more junior Product Developers on the team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related major scientific or engineering discipline. (May also include other relevant disciplines, e.g., Psychology, Nursing, Sociology.)
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a variety of technical or operational assignments.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.
• Preferred: experience in product development and/or technology development.
• Experience in executing consumer and/or technical/scientific product studies.
• Demonstrated strengths in scientific experimentation methods, analysis and planning/organizing, reading and comprehension of technical literature.
• Experience leading both consumer and technical research studies.
• Experience leading product design changes.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently or as part of a team to complete projects within required timeframes.
• Work experience across a range of Research & Development disciplines.
• Strong understanding of Adult and Feminine Care products, brands, business, and technologies.
• Strong mentoring skills.

Benefits

• Salary Range: $105,740 – $130,620 USD (US only).
• Eligibility for a target bonus.
• 401(k) and profit‑sharing plan.
• Flexible work model that blends remote work with intentional in‑person collaboration.
• Additional benefits overview available at www.mykcbenefits.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.

Primary Location: Neenah – West R&E Office.