Associate Director Research Development

Clorox is the place that’s committed to growth – for our people and our brands. Guided by our purpose and values, and with people at the center of everything we do, we believe every one of us can make a positive impact on consumers, communities, and teammates. Join our team. #CloroxIsThePlace

Your role at Clorox:

As a leader in Glad R&D, this individual will be responsible for building and overseeing 3P (Product, Process, Package) capabilities within R&D to support our core business. The core work is focused on assuring our products deliver clearly superior consumer experiences through new insights, product design, cost savings, and quality.

This position will be located in our Willowbrook, IL R&D site and will report into the Glad R&D Leader.

In this role, you will:

• Drive the 5 P Superiority framework across the global portfolio to achieve greater consumer value and market share for our product lines.  Create improvements and line extensions to achieve superior experiences, including customer story-telling and connection with the sales and marketing teams. 

• Focus on Design to Value process to fully understand the most important consumer attributes across the product line, and how to enhance them while simplifying and cost saving the rest of the proposition.

• Develop a global pipeline and roadmap for new claims and improvements on current product lines.  Utilize modernized discovery tools to focus on more impactful and meaningful claims.  Collaborate and align with marketing and sales counterparts. 

• Create a global roadmap and playbook for sustainability, including the development of long term plans, timing, and technology needs.  Utilize M&S, AI/ML, and partnerships to find new solutions and cost effective ways to achieve our targets. 

• Manage the Glad Pilot plant to drive efficient scale up with Supply Chain, and develop new technical advances to drive our cost, efficiency, and innovation strategies. 

• Develop and manage an organization comprised of 2 R&D managers, technical SMEs (Subject Matter Experts), and scientists across Process, Package, Product, and Clinical Efficacy.  Create an environment of where individuals and teams can thrive and achieve their KPIs. 

• Drive Bench Strength and Succession Planning for the team, working with SME and BU R&D Lead, to develop talent with a focus on building individual development plans

  • Build a culture of inclusivity while inspiring and driving engagement in a high performing R&D team, while holding them accountable to business results and cross-functional collaboration.

• Develop, align, and drive the product development strategy with BU R&D Lead to deliver on short- and long-term business objectives with a focus on agility, process efficiencies, and effective use of resources. Lead delivery of aligned net revenue for core business.

• Accountable for cross-functional collaboration with supply chain and manufacturing partners to deliver scale-up and margin improvement initiatives

• Lead consumer testings to drive efficiencies, improve product performance metrics, and leverage existing and new methods or technologies as needed to facilitate impactful product claims.  Collaborate cross-functionally to define and lead efficacy strategies, and oversee execution, data analysis, documentation and communication.    

• Be Accountable for the appropriate level of technical rigor to ensure execution with excellence and quality across the 3Ps

• Adopt enterprise transformation capabilities appropriately into the business unit to strengthen digital capabilities, consumer-focus and growth mindset.

What we look for:

• 10+ years experience

• 4+ years experience leading teams and managing people

• Excellent leadership skills, as evidenced by a track record of hiring, developing, and motivating top-tier talent.

• Experience across Product, Process, Packaging.

• Experience leveraging external manufacturers for speed and innovation.

• Design to value experience

• Understanding of consumer-centric design and delivering on consumer needs

• Understanding of the supply chain and track record of leading successful scale up of product.

• Experience in serving the needs of international markets.

• Experience in working with Leading Edge Retailers to sell in innovation and the creation of high impact demos.

• Track record of inclusive leadership, ability to influence outcomes through cross-functional partnerships.

#LI-Hybrid

Workplace type:

This position will be located in our Willowbrook, IL R&D site.
Hybrid - 3 days in the office.

We seek out and celebrate diverse backgrounds and experiences. We’re looking for fresh perspectives, a desire to bring your best, and a non-stop drive to keep growing and learning.

At Clorox, we have a Culture of Inclusion. We believe our values-based culture connects to our purpose and helps our people be the best versions of themselves, professionally and personally. This means building a workplace where every person can feel respected, valued, and fully able to participate in our Clorox community. Learn more about our I&D program & initiatives here.

[U.S.]Additional Information:

At Clorox, we champion people to be well and thrive, starting with our own people. To help make this possible, we offer comprehensive, competitive benefits that prioritize all aspects of wellbeing and provide flexibility for our teammates’ unique needs. This includes robust health plans, a market-leading 401(k) program with a company match, flexible time off benefits (including half-day summer Fridays depending on location), inclusive fertility/adoption benefits, and more.

We are committed to fair and equitable pay and are transparent with current and future teammates about our full salary ranges. We use broad salary ranges that reflect the competitive market for similar jobs, provide sufficient opportunity for growth as you gain experience and expand responsibilities, while also allowing for differentiation based on performance. Based on the breadth of our ranges, most new hires will start at Clorox in the first half of the applicable range. Your starting pay will depend on job-related factors, including relevant skills, knowledge, experience and location. The applicable salary range for every role in the U.S. is based on your work location and is aligned to one of three zones according to the cost of labor in your area.

All ranges are subject to change in the future. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.

This job is also eligible for participation in Clorox’s incentive plans, subject to the terms of the applicable plan documents and policies.

Please apply directly to our job postings and do not submit your resume to any person via text message. Clorox does not conduct text-based interviews and encourages you to be cautious of anyone posing as a Clorox recruiter via unsolicited texts during these uncertain times.

To all recruitment agencies: Clorox (and its brand families) does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to Clorox employees, including any members of our leadership team. Clorox is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.