R&D Innovation Manager – Consumer Products/Textiles

Working at Freudenberg: "We will wow your world!" This is our promise. As a global technology group, we not only make the world cleaner, healthier and more comfortable, but also offer our 52,000 employees a networked and diverse environment where everyone can thrive individually. Be surprised and experience your own wow moments.

Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions is a Business Group of Freudenberg and a leading global supplier of branded cleaning systems as well as household and laundry care products. The portfolio includes brands such as O-Cedar, and Vileda. The company employs more than 3,600 people and hosts a global distribution network.

Some of your Benefits

Personal Development: We offer a variety of trainings to ensure you can develop in your career.

International Opportunities: Grow in your career through international exchange and global job opportunities.

401K Match: Save for retirement with the company's help.

Health Insurance: Rely on comprehensive services whenever you need it.

Paid Holidays: With paid-time off, local holidays are all the way more relaxing.

Aurora, IL

Hybrid Work

Freudenberg Household Products LP (USA)

payments $100,000-$115,000/annual + bonus

The R&D Manager leads the innovation process and pipeline for all products within the Quick Cleaning product portfolio. In this Global function, the role executes significant and radical Innovation projects together with the Global Marketing team, executing all R&D related tasks resulting in the launch of breakthrough retail products.

R&D Innovation Manager - Consumer Products / Textiles (f/m/d)

Responsibilities

• Manage R&D projects from ideation to market implementation in a multifunctional project team involving internal and external partners.
• Responsible for all Product Development activities: design, prototyping, design for manufacturability, testing methods for product validation, timing and costs.
• Artfully connect consumer experiences and desires to unique technical concepts to bring actionable features and benefits to life.
• Translate winning consumer concepts into technical product executions by identifying possible IP protection.
• Manage and support an existing product portfolio related to quality, regulatory compliance, cost saving, supply chain and production initiatives.
• Support all R&D initiatives in the area of floor cleaning as well as all necessary starting materials in the area of textiles.
• Align with and update the Global R&D Director on resources, key project milestones and budget.
• Plan and coordinates product testing to do technical claim support, benchmark and competitor analysis.
• Work in close contact with Lab Technicians for product development testing and analysis in terms of performance and durability; develop new test methods as needed.
• Scout new product and technology trends and infuse them into the Innovation Process.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Engineering in Textiles or Chemistry; or equivalent job experience in Textiles/Chemistry.
• 3+ years of experience preferred. Proven experience in product development, preferably in globally operating FMCG companies.
• Experience with household cleaning products strongly preferred (must have experience with consumer products).
• Textile and/or Chemistry knowledge, including manufacturing methods and assembly methods, with an emphasis on sustainable materials.
• Experience in project management with track record of successful projects.
• Ability to analyze patents and to evaluate potential for own IP.
• Creative and open mind, strong in analytical and strategic thinking, able to analyze and translate customer needs into innovations and new products.
• Likes to work in an international/multi-cultural and multifunctional team.
• Ability to work in a self-motivated way and to manage complex tasks effectively.
• Good communication skills. Able to communicate technical facts effectively to interdisciplinary project teams, to external parties, and to present them to top management. Fluent in written and verbal English.
• Ability to travel approximately 15% (including global).
  
  

The Freudenberg Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment opportunities are available to all applicants and associates without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

We respectfully request that recruitment agencies and third-party recruiters refrain from contacting us regarding this position.