Senior Packaging Materials Engineer

Senior Packaging Materials Engineer – Kimberly-Clark

Job Description

You’ll bring your expertise to build and manage our portfolio of iconic brands. In this role, you’ll help deliver better care worldwide. You’ll provide end‑to‑end materials and molding leadership for rigid packaging components from concept through commercialization.

• Lead selection, development, and optimization of injection‑molded materials and color systems (e.g., PP/PE, TPE/TPV, masterbatch, stabilizers, UV/antioxidants) to meet cost, performance, aesthetics, regulatory, and sustainability targets for rigid packaging components; translate consumer/brand and engineering requirements into resin grades, additive packages, and molding strategies; define CTQs, tolerances, and performance criteria for part function, fit, and appearance.
• Own material and component specifications in PLM; create and maintain BOMs, approved sources, and change control and design control with traceability across SKUs.
• Define and execute robust qualification plans, synthesize results into risk assessments and release recommendations.
• Lead supplier and tooling partner engagement: resin vetting, molder audits, mold DFM/DFA, Moldflow, gating, runner, cooling strategy, cycle‑time optimization, and maintenance plans.
• Drive cost/value engineering with quantified business cases.
• Ensure compliance with product safety and regional regulatory requirements; partner with Regulatory/Quality.
• Advance sustainability outcomes for rigid packaging.
• Partner with Design and Packaging peers to convert brand intent into manufacturable parts.
• Serve as category SME, coach engineers, lead cross‑functional projects, and present recommendations to management.

Perform at the highest level, valuing sustainability, inclusion, and career development. Flexible work arrangements available.

• Bachelor’s degree (Master's preferred) in Materials Science, Polymer/Plastics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Packaging Engineering with 8+ years of hands‑on experience in injection‑molded packaging materials/components.
• Expertise in polymer‑process‑part interactions and data analysis.
• Proficiency with DOE/statistics, failure analysis, and lab/line data interpretation.
• Experience with PLM/specification systems and supplier/tooling development.
• Certifications such as Six Sigma, PMP, or CPP preferred.
• Experience with additional packaging materials (flexibles, paperboard, corrugate) preferred.

Medical, dental, vision coverage, on‑site fitness, flexible savings, income protection, continuing education support, and more. For complete overview visit

Neenah - West R&E Office, Full time, Employee.