Senior R&D Technical Leader at Kimberly-Clark

• In this role you will be responsible for partnering with the marketing leader to set the short to medium product portfolio strategy and innovation plans for categories in EM (Emerging Markets). Delivering the innovation plans on time with highest quality  – as well as managing the R&E open diaper product development  team and priorities across EM organization to ensure fast and max adoption (from other regions and across the region) considering supply complexity and financial optimization.

You will also:

• Lead the delivery of the AFC (Adult & Fem Care) open diaper innovation pipeline across EM, ensuring projects are executed on time, with high quality, and aligned with business and financial targets.
• Partner closely with Sector and Regional Marketing teams to define, align, and execute the 0–3 year product portfolio and innovation roadmap for EM markets.
• Act as technical owner and project lead for innovation initiatives, guiding projects from ideation through IMF, commercialization, and regional rollout.
• Drive “adopt & adapt” innovation, scaling global and NA-led solutions while adjusting for EM-specific needs such as formats, mill capabilities, cost constraints, and supply complexity.
• Serve as the senior technical authority within the EM R&D AFC community, providing technical direction, coaching, and capability building across regions.
• Influence and align cross-functional stakeholders (Marketing, Supply Chain, Procurement, Manufacturing, Global R&D) to secure buy-in and enable fast, effective execution of innovation projects.
• Contribute to business performance and cost transformation initiatives, balancing technical rigor with pragmatic, “right-enough” solutions to deliver value at scale.

About You

• 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.

Main requirements:

• 7+ years of experience in R&D or product development, preferably within AFC, personal care, or closely related consumer goods categories.
• Strong technical background (engineering, materials, or similar), with the ability to translate consumer and market insights into scalable product solutions.
• Proven experience leading complex innovation projects in a matrix, multi-region environment, with exposure to commercialization and manufacturing realities.
• Excellent communication skills in English (spoken and written), with the ability to confidently engage and influence senior leaders without reliance on translation.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, able to operate effectively across cultures, functions, and organizational levels.
• Leadership capability without direct reports, acting as a role model, coach, and change agent within the R&D community.
• High resilience, flexibility, and prioritization skills, comfortable working across time zones and managing a demanding, fast-paced innovation agenda.