NA Innovation Program Manager - Wiping

R&E PROGRAM MANAGER – KCP NA INDUSTRIAL SEGMENT INNOVATION TEAM

Position Summary:

Seeking an experienced R&E Program Manager to support the Company Professional North America Industrial Segment Innovation Team, focusing primarily on product solutions for wiping categories. The position is located in Roswell, Georgia and reports to the North America Industrial Innovation Leader.

The role is critical in delivering new product solutions to the innovation pipeline and to fuel growth as well as implementing manufacturing optimization and brand maintenance programs. This position requires an individual with a passion for delivering products and solutions that meet end user needs. The ability to lead and manage multi-faceted R&D programs in support of realizing critical innovation objectives is also critical.

Collaboration/Customers:

All levels of management within R&D, Business Leaders, Marketing, Packaging, Legal, Regulatory, Market Research, Procurement, Product Supply, Finance, and External Consultants and Research Organizations

Principal Accountabilities:

Innovation Strategy:

• Collaborate with Brand Marketing, Category Marketing, Sales, Product Supply and other cross functional team members to:
• Identify need states across our prioritized segments and product categories, looking for synergies that will allow us to scale solutions across multiple segments for maximum impact
• Identify market and technology trends that have the potential to impact these need states in both the short and long-term
• Develop a prioritized innovation pipeline that effectively addresses these need states and takes into consideration emerging market and technology trends
• Define project scope, design and resource requirements for projects in the innovation pipeline, using programs and procedures adopted by KCP (i.e. design control, EtQ, ION, etc.)
• Identify, resolve or escalate potential obstacles to commercializing the innovation pipeline with excellence to ensure program and project plans are aligned with business/innovation strategy
• Develop and execute learning plans that include, but are not limited to market, chooser, and user research, claims development and substantiation, and product testing
• Champion the “adopt and adapt” culture

Project Management:

• Manage the relationships between global and regional project teams (knowledge transfer)
• Develop and coordinate project management plans to ensure the innovation pipeline is commercialized with excellence and activities are executed on-time/on-cost
• Maintain documentation as required by the stage-gate development process

Financial:

• Use financial information and analysis to support fact-based business decisions to support successful implementation of innovation and cost transformation projects

General Expectations

• Implement programs and procedures which ensure effective Safety and Quality attitudes and practices
• Ensure that all elements of the corporate Human Resources Development and Diversity policy are fully supported
• Manage teams and self in accordance with the expected behaviors of the Leadership Qualities. Develop self as a role model for professionalism and leadership, living out the One Company behaviors
• Ensure protection of intellectual property and compliance with applicable laws and regulations (i.e. safety clearance, CE certification, ASTM, FDA, etc.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in related major scientific or engineering discipline from an accredited college or university with at least 8 - 10 years relevant work experience in product development for the B2B market
• In-depth experience with the product development process and a demonstrated ability to work through that process to deliver differentiated solutions to target customers. Preferred product development experience in Wiping products.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with, inspire, and influence multifunctional teams, including business unit marketing, sales and manufacturing, and product supply to drive results and customer satisfaction
• A track record of strong project leadership and management capabilities (i.e. scope, budget, schedule, risks) and effective communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple programs through a stage-gate product development process
• Experience in developing/managing internal and external stakeholder relationships
• Experience working with 3rd party vendors, contract manufacturers, and internal manufacturing operations

Company is an 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. This position is subject to drug and alcohol testing, including pre-employment testing.

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.

This position may require a post-offer/pre-hire Physical Abilities Test (PAT) to confirm that individuals are able to perform the essential functions of the job.

Company requires that an employee have authorization to work in the country in which the role is based. In the event an applicant does not have current work authorization, Company will determine, in its sole discretion, whether to sponsor an individual for work authorization. However, based on immigration requirements, not all roles are suitable for sponsorship.

Global VISA and Relocation Specifications:

Primary Location

USA-GA-Atlanta-Roswell

Additional Locations

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time