Manager, R&D - North America Consumer Brands, Air Care (Finance)

SC JOHNSON IS A FIFTH-GENERATION FAMILY COMPANY BUILT ON THE SPIRIT OF OUR PEOPLE. We have been leading with purpose for over 130 years, building iconic brands that win the hearts and minds of consumers - such as Raid®, Glade®, Ziploc® and more, in virtually every country around the world. Together, we are creating a better future - for the planet, for future generations and for every SCJ team member. Join our winning team of Wave Makers and Go Getters and help us write the next chapter in the SCJ story.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Air Care RD&E Manager will lead a team of direct reports to drive the growth aspirations of Home Fragrance focused primarily on Candles and Waxmelts. Glade Candles hold the majority share of candles in the Air Aisle and are an integral part of the aisle. Glade Candles serve as an entry point to the air care category, driving incremental sales, and as such, play an important role within the total Glade portfolio and business. We are committed to further strengthening our position within the air aisle, by driving relevance and expanding into new occasions. This position plays a crucial role in driving growth and relevance in a market at a pivotal moment in time.

As Manager, you will be accountable for managing our current businesses while exploring new opportunities. Additionally, you will manage and develop a team of technical employees. You will foster creativity on teams from idea conception to launch, collaborating closely with marketing, supply chain and insights. To be successful in this role, you must bring a keen understanding of consumer-packaged goods (CPG), market dynamics and consumer behavior along with strong leadership and project management skills.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Thinking

• Roadmap: Manage the technical elements of Candles, delivering superior solutions that drive business results and continuous growth. Manage a rolling 0-5 year pipeline of product development opportunities and a robust technology roadmap.
• Influence: Effectively develop a technology portfolio strategy for Candles by identifying key problems, addressing any other jobs to be done, and establishing a vision for change. Influence product development to address these areas and influence business partners in understanding project risks and tradeoffs to drive the business forward.
• Holistic Understanding: Drive a comprehensive understanding of the product assortment within the context of consumers, the category, customers, regulatory, global supply chain and the company.
• Collaboration: Drive alignment and enrollment to a course of action among key cross-functional peers in R&D, Commercial Marketing, GPS, and Finance.
• Consumer: Understand key Demand Choice Drivers and Demand Spaces and apply appropriately to maintain and enhance the product consumer relevance and value. Ensure project objectives and execution are aligned to those key consumer elements.
• Execution: Provide project prioritization, develop and execute cost-savings, and other technically driven product changes; deliver commitments within budget and aligned timing expectations.

Technical Team

• Attract and retain talent while fostering a performance-driven culture. Develop those in reporting organization through training opportunities, coaching, and performance management practices including conducting annual performance reviews, management succession, and development activities.
• Build an engaged team with the required functional skill sets that understands their roles and responsibilities in delivering SCJ business objectives; demonstrate behaviors that reflect SCJ Success Drivers and establish a "Mindset to Win" culture in R&D category team.
• Ensure project staffing with the right capability and resources (people, tools, equipment, and budget) to drive business results.

Technical Oversight

• Technical Leadership: Demonstrate influencing, strategic thinking and leadership in technical areas of responsibility.
• Idea Testing: Evaluate new product or service ideas in an iterative model with speed ahead of investing significant resources.
• Prototypes and Mockups: Work with team to create prototypes, mockups, or detailed descriptions of product concept(s).
• Feedback Collection: Seek feedback from potential consumers, industry experts, and stakeholders.
• Iterative Process: Based on feedback, concepts are refined, adjusted, or discarded, ensuring that the final product aligns with consumer needs and expectations.
• Tools Utilization: Proficiency in data analysis and innovation frameworks (eg. Design Thinking, Agile, Sensory Science- Product Guidance).
• R&D skills: Demonstrate strong R&D functional skills, including effective communication, financial acumen, integrated risk management, technical project management, quality, robustness, regulation & safety, scientific rigor, and technical curiosity.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE YOU'LL BRING

• Bachelor's degree in science or engineering and a minimum of 7 years of experience of progressive RD&E experience in CPG or closely related industry or a master's degree with 5 years of relevant experience.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in manufacturing operations, supply chain, and / or RD&E in a variety of product categories.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience to interface, lead, and build relationships with multiple levels and functions internal and external to SCJ.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in new product launches, contract manufacturing, and financial analysis as it relates to operations.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCES AND SKILLS

• Able to develop strategic plans for long-term value improvement while also possessing the ability to Drive for Results in the short term.
• Possess clear and concise communication/collaboration skills.
• Ability to influence and motivate non-direct reports; keep teams working well together.
• Demonstrated ability to operate in a complex, non-structured environment.
• Ability to build cohesiveness and trust within the team, balanced with the judgment that can make the right decisions and commitment to deliver what is promised.
• Possess key attributes including creativity, adaptability, persuasiveness, perseverance, strategic thinking, high degree of initiative, excellent problem-solving skills, cross-cultural/ global perspective, negotiating skills, and influencing skills.
• Experience working with AI technology and software.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Position will be located at Sam's campus in Mt. Pleasant
• Full-Time, regular business hours, Monday-Friday in an office environment
• Remote work available once a week for eligible employees
• This role is eligible for domestic or international relocation

Inclusion & Diversity

We're a global business, with people from every culture, ethnicity, race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age and ability. We recognize the breadth of human experience, and we work to celebrate it. It is our goal to build a diverse, inclusive and supportive work environment where all people can thrive.

We're committed to ongoing efforts that help us attract, hire, and retain diverse talent who want to build a positive, inclusive environment. Read more about our ongoing initiatives at https://jobs.scjohnson.com/inclusion .

Better Together

At SC Johnson, we strive to create a positive, inclusive and unique workplace. We strongly believe SCJ people are able to achieve their best when they can collaborate and work together in person.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The policy of the Company is to ensure equal opportunity for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, gender identity, gender expression, disability, citizenship, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in any active or reserve component of the U.S. or state military forces, genetic history or information or any other category protected by law.

Accommodation Requests

If you are an individual with a disability and you need an accommodation or other assistance during the application process, please call our Human Resources department at 262-260-3343 or email your request to SCJHR@scj.com . All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply. Download the EEO is the Law poster for more information.