Innovation Director

Innovation Director

Job Description

You’re not the person who will settle for just any role. Neither are we. Because we’re out to create Better Care for a Better World, and that takes a certain kind of person and teams who care about making a difference. Here, you’ll bring your professional expertise, talent, and drive to building and managing our portfolio of iconic, ground-breaking brands. In this role, you’ll help us deliver better care for billions of people around the world. It starts with YOU. 

Commercial Leader for large scale transformational – new to the world innovation. This leader will design the go-to-market plans for this once in a generation innovation from Concept/MVP through to Commercialization to enable a big bang launch plan for first 3-5 years.  

• Drive Transformational Innovation: Lead the development, application and commercialization of products that use new breakthrough technologies in North America.
  • Bring technologies to life for multiple consumer segments and multiple brands across the North American portfolio
  • Develop and integrate plans into brand strategies, innovation pipelines and portfolio strategies.
  • Pressure test and refine concepts and marketing ideas for core categories.
  • Lead cross-functional teams to design and qualify final product, packaging, go-to-market strategies, and marketing ideas to meet financial targets.
  • Develop and execute launch strategies and category conversion approaches

• Ensure Product Readiness: Oversee product technical readiness, including testing, development, and product development pathways.
• Collaborate with Key Stakeholders: Partner with brand General Managers to deliver holistic, fit-for-use propositions.
  • Manage internal stakeholder relationships, including engagement with the Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors.
  • Effectively manage external stakeholder communications.

About Us

Huggies®. Kleenex®. Cottonelle®. Scott®. Kotex®. Poise®. Depend®. Kimberly-Clark Professional®. You already know our legendary brands—and so does the rest of the world. In fact, millions of people use Kimberly-Clark products every day. We know these amazing Kimberly-Clark products wouldn’t exist without talented professionals, like you.

At Kimberly-Clark, you’ll be part of the best team committed to driving innovation, growth and impact. We’re founded on more than 150 years of market leadership, and we’re always looking for new and better ways to perform – so there’s your open door of opportunity. It’s all here for you at Kimberly-Clark.

Led by Purpose. Driven by You.

About You

You perform at the highest level possible, and you appreciate a performance culture fueled by authentic caring.  You want to be part of a company actively dedicated to sustainability, inclusion, wellbeing, and career development.

You love what you do, especially when the work you do makes a difference. At Kimberly-Clark, we’re constantly exploring new ideas on how, when, and where we can best achieve results. When you join our team, you’ll experience Flex That Works: flexible (hybrid) work arrangements that empower you to have purposeful time in the office and partner with your leader to make flexibility work for both you and the business.

In one of our professional roles, you’ll focus on winning with consumers and the market, while putting safety, mutual respect, and human dignity at the center. To succeed in this role, you will need the following qualifications:

• Demonstrated commercial acumen with a proven track record of delivering results in commercially oriented positions (10+ years of functional experience in Marketing and Innovation in FMCG/CPG companies, and 5+ years of GM experience required).

• Seasoned business and cross-functional leader with a history of leading calmly through complexity and managing diverse stakeholders across functions and levels.

• Capable of defining branding strategy and business model for breakthrough technology.

• Proven ability to craft compelling consumer propositions and successfully launch major initiatives in competitive categories. Skilled in creating a compelling consumer proposition for new-to-the-world technology.

• Proficient in identifying failure points well in advance, presenting a balanced business case of risk/opportunity, and building credible mitigation plans.

• Extensive, repeated experience in launching large-scale innovations with excellent commercial planning capabilities in the US.

• Exceptional creative and communications capability, with the ability to inspire and lead agencies to breakthrough ideas that communicate consumer benefits in a way that deeply connects with the consumer.

• Experience working with major North American retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Costco.

• Expertise in customer activation, advertising, communication, social media, pricing, branding, supply chain alignment, hard rollovers, and trade budgets.

• Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple work-streams and a track record of successful project implementation from concept to execution.

• Outstanding communication (verbal and written) and influencing skills.

Total Benefits

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.
 

Great support for good health with medical, dental, and vision coverage options with no waiting periods or pre-existing condition restrictions. Access to an on-site fitness center, occupational health nurse, and allowances for high-quality safety equipment.

Flexible Savings and spending accounts to maximize health care options and stretch dollars when caring for yourself or dependents.

Diverse income protection insurance options to protect yourself and your family in case of illness, injury, or other unexpected events.

Additional programs and support to continue your education, adopt a child, relocate, or even find temporary childcare.

To Be Considered
Click the Apply button and complete the online application process. A member of our recruiting team will review your application and follow up if you seem like a great fit for this role.

In the meantime, please check out the careers website.

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.  We actively seek to build a workforce that reflects 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 pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, and DMV check.

Additional information about the compensation and benefits for this role are available upon request. You may contact 866-444-4516 – when prompted for employee ID, say “OTHER CALLER” - or [email protected] for assistance. You must include the six-digit Job # with your request.

Veterans and members of the Reserve and Guard are highly encouraged to apply.

Salary Range: $180,000 - $235,000 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.

Kimberly-Clark will support in-country relocation for the chosen candidate for the role. The benefits provided will be per the terms of Kimberly-Clark’s applicable mobility policies. The benefits/policy provided will be decided at Kimberly-Clark’s sole discretion.

#LI-Hybrid

Primary LocationUSA-IL-Chicago

Additional Locations

Worker TypeEmployee

Worker Sub-TypeRegular

Time TypeFull time