Product Development Team Leader, Tissue in Surrey

Join the team behind iconic brands like Huggies(R), Kleenex(R), Andrex(R), Scott(R), Kotex(R), Poise(R), and Kimberly-Clark Professional(R). 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.

This role will be part of Kimberly Clark's International Family Care and Professional (IFP) business—an organization rooted in purpose and innovation that has built a legacy with global impact. As Kimberly-Clark forms a strategic partnership with Suzano to create a world-class international tissue and professional products company, this role is proposed to transfer to the new venture once the transaction closes, anticipated in mid-2026, subject to consultation and other applicable legal requirements. This is a rare opportunity to help shape a new global leader backed by two industry powerhouses. You’ll be part of a high-potential business that combines Kimberly-Clark’s iconic brands and commercial excellence with Suzano’s industrial and sustainability leadership.

About You

In one of our R&D roles, you’ll focus on winning with consumers and the market, while putting safety, mutual respect, and human dignity at the center. You will have the exciting opportunity to drive the next chapter of product innovation for the IFP tissue business – by bringing together your amazing passion for understanding consumers, pioneering new technologies, translating new ideas & insights into winning product propositions to meet and exceed the business needs. You will also have a fantastic opportunity to partner with some of the key stakeholders in the R&D, Growth and Supply Chain teams and play an active role in influencing the IFP strategy.

In this role, your responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

• Innovation & strategy development: This role will work closely with Marketing to develop a prioritized pipeline of initiatives that meet/exceed the business needs and puts in place effective influencing strategies that persuade key stakeholders to take action that will advance shared interests and business goals. Responsible for delivering medium-to-long-term product innovation programs across the IFP portfolio that drive a competitive advantage from consumer benefit/cost/sustainability point of view.
• Innovation & Program Development: Provides leadership, coaching and prioritisation to the IFP product development team - from early stages of product development through to technical readiness, implementation and commercialization. Provides R&D thought leadership on Right to Win and works closely with the Life Cycle Management team and key factories to ensure we stay true to our product design intent. Works in close partnership with Technology leaders to ensure that innovation initiatives stay aligned with overall innovation strategy and technology/sustainability roadmaps.
• Organizational Leadership: Lives and builds an empowered performance driven culture characterized by collaboration and multi-functional teamwork, agility, resilience, learning and a ‘can do’ mindset in support of achieving high performance levels.

To succeed in this role, you will need the following qualifications:

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in a science, engineering or related business discipline, and/or 12+ years industrial experience or another equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams geographically dislocated, foster collaboration, drive a play to win/high performing mindset and develop & sustain talents.
• Demonstrated ability to understand consumers & drive consumer centric solutions that connect insights, technologies & external trends in service of meeting/exceeding business goals.
• A strong track record of developing & commercialising winning innovations.
• Able to provide thought leadership on innovation programs and to build strong and effective partnerships with brand & marketing, FEI, global teams & product supply to ensure a seamless delivery of innovation programs.
• Ability to communicate, engage and influence people at all levels of the organization.

Total Benefits

We believe that our employees are our greatest asset, and we're committed to providing them with the resources they need to be successful. If you're looking for a rewarding career with a company that cares about its employees, then Kimberly-Clark is the place for you.

• Market-leading pension contribution.
• Bonus scheme.
• Flexible Savings and spending accounts to maximise health care options and stretch pounds when caring for yourself or dependents.
• Private Medical Insurance, great support for good health with medical, dental, and vision coverage options.
• 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.

Flex That Works at Kimberly-Clark

We believe great work happens when people come together with purpose. That’s why we offer a flexible work model that blends remote work with intentional in-person collaboration — helping you connect, grow, and innovate while maintaining the balance you value.

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.

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, which is why we seek to build a workforce that encompasses 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.