Vice President, R&D

The Clorox Company; Pleasanton (CA); Hybrid; USD 210,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

401(k) plan in US

Health benefits

Flexible work environment

Learning & growth opportunities

Half-day Fridays

Job summary

The Clorox Company in Pleasanton, CA is seeking a Vice President of R&D for Care & Connection to lead a large, multidisciplinary R&D organization. You will translate business priorities into scalable innovation, drive lifecycle optimization, and partner with marketing, sales and insights to deliver differentiated products.

You will coach senior leaders, embed leading practices, and connect emerging tech trends to growth strategies across multiple BUs, including Glad and Kingsford, with a hybrid

Qualifications

• 15+ years of leadership experience in R&D within the Consumer-Packaged Goods Industry preferred including Second Level Management.
• Experience developing and leading deep technical product/process/packaging plans and aligning business strategy and technology delivery.
• Demonstrated experience in developing digital/AI capabilities for R&D.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead end-to-end R&D Technical Innovation Capability across C&C translating priorities into roadmaps.
• Lead a large, multidisciplinary R&D organization with clear accountability and succession readiness.
• Partner with commercial teams to translate BU priorities into differentiated products and lifecycle optimization.
• Provide deep technical leadership connecting emerging trends to BU growth and innovation agendas.
• Coach senior R&D leaders to embed leading practices and modern ways of working.

Skills

Leadership

R&D leadership

Strategy development

Digital/AI in R&D

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemistry/chemical eng or related field

Master’s Degree preferred

Job description

Clorox is the place that’s committed to growth – for our people and our brands. Guided by our purpose and values, and with people at the center of everything we do, we believe every one of us can make a positive impact on consumers, communities, and teammates. Join our team. #CloroxIsThePlace

Your role at Clorox:

The Vice President, R&D BU leads R&D Technical Innovation Capability for the Care & Connection business, translating business priorities into scalable innovation, operational plans, technical rigor and performance-based execution. The role builds and leads a large, multidisciplinary R&D organization, ensuring strong talent pipelines, clear accountability, and scalable capabilities across product, packaging, and process development. In addition to overseeing the capability development for all BU’s within C&C, this role directly leads the R&D innovation program, manages the R&D team and sits on the Leadership team for Glad and Kingsford Business Units.

In this role, you will:

Define and lead end to end R&D Technical Innovation Capability across C&C translating enterprise and BU priorities into integrated discovery, innovation, and core/operations capability roadmaps that enable the delivery of clearly superior products from early research through launch and lifecycle optimization.

Define and execute end to end R&D strategy across 2 business units, partner directly with General Manager to translate BU priorities into integrated discovery, innovation, and core/operations roadmaps that deliver differentiated products from early research through launch and lifecycle optimization.

Develops and coaches senior R&D leaders in C&C to build scalable innovation capabilities, embedding leading practices, advanced tools, and modern ways of working to accelerate impact, quality, and consistency across the enterprise.

Provide deep technical expertise and technology leadership, to connect emerging technology trends to BU growth strategies and innovation agendas.

Lead a diverse, multilayered R&D organization spanning Directors, Associate Directors, Managers, Principal Scientists, SMEs, and Individual Contributors across formulation, packaging, process—ensuring clear role accountability, talent development, and succession readiness.

Partner and influence at the enterprise level, collaborating closely with commercial (Marketing, Sales, Insights) to improve innovation capability that delivers sustained business value.

What we look for:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in chemistry, chemical engineering, or related field.
• Master’s Degree or higher preferred.
• 15+ years of leadership experience in R&D within the Consumer-Packaged Goods Industry preferred including Second Level Management.
• Ability to effectively lead and motivate teams across a variety of functional roles.
• Experience developing and leading deep technical product/process/packaging plans and aligning business strategy and technology delivery.
• Demonstrated experience in developing digital/AI capabilities for R&D.
• Proven change agent and a strong strategic thinker capable of influencing and driving positive transformation within and across functions.
• Track record of clear communication and collaboration with senior leadership stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
• Consumer Centric and Innovative Leader with accomplishments establishing and driving Innovation Roadmaps and leading successful product development from ideation through market launch.
• Strong analytical ability, capable of navigating complex challenges and transforming insights into actionable, innovative product strategies.
• Exceptional leadership and talent-building ability, capable of creating, developing, and motivating a high-performing R&D team.
• Transformational leader who brings diversity of thought, capable of leading conversations with both internal teams and external partners to drive strategic business plans forward.

Hybrid Workplace type:

Hybrid

Our values-based culture connects to our purpose and empowers people to be their best, professionally and personally. We serve a diverse consumer base which is why we believe teams that reflect our consumers bring fresh perspectives, drive innovation, and help us stay attuned to the world around us. That’s why we foster an inclusive culture where every person can feel respected, valued, and fully able to participate, and ultimately able to thrive. Learn more.

Benefits we offer to help you be well and thrive:

• Competitive compensation
• Generous 401(k) program in the US and similar programs in international
• Health benefits and programs that support both your physical and mental well-being
• Flexible work environment, depending on your role
• Meaningful opportunities to keep learning and growing
• Half-day Fridays, depending on your location

To all recruitment agencies: Clorox (and its brand families) does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to Clorox employees, including any members of our leadership team. Clorox is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

Who we are. We champion people to be well and thrive every single day. We’re proud to be in every corner of homes, schools, and offices—making daily life simpler and easier through our beloved brands. Working with us, you’ll join a team of passionate problem solvers and relentless innovators fueled by curiosity, growth, and progress. We relish taking on new, interesting challenges that allow our people to collaborate and thrive at work. And most importantly, we care about each other as multifaceted, whole humans. Join us as we reimagine what’s possible and work with purpose to make a difference in the world. This is the place where doing the right thing matters. Doing the right thing is the compass that guides every decision we make—and we’re proud to globally recognized and awarded for our continuous corporate responsibility efforts. Clorox is a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's New Plastics Economy Global Commitment. The Clorox Company and its Foundation prioritize giving back to the communities we call home and contribute millions annually in combined cash grants, product donations, and cause-marketing. For more information, visit TheCloroxCompany.com and follow us on social media at @CloroxCo.

Our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equal employment opportunity. We seek out and celebrate diverse backgrounds and experiences. We’re always looking for fresh perspectives, a desire to bring your best, and a nonstop drive to keep growing and learning. Learn more about our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Allyship (IDEA) journey here. The Clorox Company and its subsidiaries are an EEO/AA/Minorities/Women/LGBT/Protected Veteran/Disabled employer. Learn more to Know Your Rights. Clorox is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants with disabilities and disabled veterans during the hiring and interview process. If you need assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please contact us at [e-mail]. Please note: this inbox is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions/application statuses.