What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sr. Manager, R&D position at Energizer Holdings?
This is Energizer Holdings, Inc.
Energizer Holdings responsibly creates products to make lives easier and more enjoyable. To do this, we lean into our culture as an organization – we win together, while serving each other, with a willingness to act boldly, all while doing right. Our colleagues hail from all backgrounds, nationalities and walks of life, but our shared mission and purpose make us one team. Because we’re a global organization, you will always have opportunities to learn, grow and develop in your career. We support flexible working arrangements wherever possible.
Position Summary
Energizer Holdings Inc. is seeking a Sr. Manager, R&D Product Development to lead innovation within its Auto Care Appearance business — a ~$300M category and a primary growth engine within the broader $650M Auto Care portfolio.
This role sits at the intersection of formulation science, product innovation, and commercial execution, directly leading a team of up to 17 cross-functional scientists, engineers, and project leaders to deliver breakthrough innovation, execute a fast-paced 1-year NPD pipeline, and drive cost and supply optimization initiatives.
The successful candidate will combine strong technical depth in formulated consumer products, experience with consumer insights-based product development, and the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders, including senior leadership, marketing, procurement, legal, quality assurance, and retail customers. This isndivudual needs to be a strong people-oriented team builder able to envision, motivate and engage teams in a quickly evolving business landscape This individual will be a highly visible leader within the organization and a key partner in shaping the future of Energizer’s Auto Care business.
Responsibilities
The position supports Automotive cleaning and Conditioning brands, including ArmorAll, Eagle One, and Lexol. The position will lead and coordinate the product development cycle for new innovative products and also provide technical support for the current product range. Specific accountabilities are noted below:
Minimum Qualifications:
Reports to Sr. Director R&D, Auto Care. Key relationships include leadership and individual contributors across R&D, Marketing, Procurement, Operations, and External Manufacturing and Supplier Partners.
Work Environment
Travel up to 25% is required, including international (where, examples?). Participate in occasional teleconference meetings with global colleagues in different time zones.
Come join us!
Energizer is an equal opportunity employer, and we prohibit discrimination based on age, color, disability, marital or parental status, veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
Total Rewards Package
The salary range for this position is USD $129,000.00/Yr. - USD $187,000.00/Yr.
Actual base salary offered to a candidate may vary based upon factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, base salary of internal peers, prior performance, business sector, and geographic location.
Energizer strives to create a supportive work environment centered around colleagues’ professional and personal well-being. Our total rewards package provides comprehensive benefits to attract, retain, and protect our colleagues – including health and welfare insurance, parental leave, paid time off, and retirement savings plans.
Energizer Holdings responsibly creates products to make lives easier and more enjoyable. To do this, we lean into our culture as an organization – we win together, while serving each other, with a willingness to act boldly, all while doing right. Our colleagues hail from all backgrounds, nationalities and walks of life, but our shared mission and purpose make us one team. Because we’re a global organization, you will always have opportunities to learn, grow and develop in your career. We support flexible working arrangements wherever possible.
Position Summary
Energizer Holdings Inc. is seeking a Sr. Manager, R&D Product Development to lead innovation within its Auto Care Appearance business — a ~$300M category and a primary growth engine within the broader $650M Auto Care portfolio.
This role sits at the intersection of formulation science, product innovation, and commercial execution, directly leading a team of up to 17 cross-functional scientists, engineers, and project leaders to deliver breakthrough innovation, execute a fast-paced 1-year NPD pipeline, and drive cost and supply optimization initiatives.
The successful candidate will combine strong technical depth in formulated consumer products, experience with consumer insights-based product development, and the ability to communicate complex concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders, including senior leadership, marketing, procurement, legal, quality assurance, and retail customers. This isndivudual needs to be a strong people-oriented team builder able to envision, motivate and engage teams in a quickly evolving business landscape This individual will be a highly visible leader within the organization and a key partner in shaping the future of Energizer’s Auto Care business.
Responsibilities
The position supports Automotive cleaning and Conditioning brands, including ArmorAll, Eagle One, and Lexol. The position will lead and coordinate the product development cycle for new innovative products and also provide technical support for the current product range. Specific accountabilities are noted below:
- Set the strategic plan for R&D with emphasis on the Product Cycle Plan as well as the product and technical roadmap, supporting a $300M revenue business within the broader Appearance portfolio.
- Lead 4 to 5 direct reports, including 2 Managers responsible for Breakthrough Innovation and NPD/cost optimization initiatives, respectively, with an overall team of up to 17 scientists, engineers, designers, and project leaders.
- Track projects and manage products from conception to launch and ensure on time delivery of high volume, high-quality branded products.
- Provide project leadership and communicate updates across cross-functional teams and to senior leadership.
- Effectively communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, including senior leadership, marketing partners, and external customers.
- Work directly with suppliers to design, prototype, and develop innovative new products - travel to manufacturing locations to lead development and give on-site direction and approvals as needed.
- Work with marketing, sales, and regulatory in developing competitive claims and product demonstrations.
- Drive the creation of intellectual property (patents).
- Provide technical guidance to cross functional teams (Marketing, Commercial, Procurement, Operations).
- Manage the team via assignment planning, succession planning, and performance management. Optimize organizational structure to deliver business priorities and drive needed capabilities.
Minimum Qualifications:
- 5 or more years of consumer insights-based, technology-leveraged product development management experience with a track record of product launch success. Experience with formulated consumer products (e.g. personal care, hair care, beauty, home care (surface care, cleaning), auto care, or adjacent categories) is a plus
- Must possess ability to comprehend business objectives and work independently to solve problems in the most efficient manner possible.
- Experience managing teams of 5 or more, including managers or supervisors, preferred.
- Proven ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders, including regular customer-facing interactions
- Minimum of BS in Chemistry, Engineering, or other relevant scientific discipline required. Master’s degree preferred.
- Strong knowledge of product development systems and tools required.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to operate project lifecycle management software.
- Excellent communication and organization skills with ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
- Technical experience with retail cleaning, conditioning, and related formulated categories, whether in auto care, home care (surface care, cleaning), personal care (hair care & conditioning, skin care), etc.
- Ability to speak with customers and other external stakeholders.
- Team leadership, Stage Gate Protocol, Design for Six Sigma, Statistics, and Design of Experiments.
- Experience working closely with manufacturing and external suppliers.
- Technical team management experience
Reports to Sr. Director R&D, Auto Care. Key relationships include leadership and individual contributors across R&D, Marketing, Procurement, Operations, and External Manufacturing and Supplier Partners.
Work Environment
Travel up to 25% is required, including international (where, examples?). Participate in occasional teleconference meetings with global colleagues in different time zones.
Come join us!
Energizer is an equal opportunity employer, and we prohibit discrimination based on age, color, disability, marital or parental status, veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
Total Rewards Package
The salary range for this position is USD $129,000.00/Yr. - USD $187,000.00/Yr.
Actual base salary offered to a candidate may vary based upon factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, time in role, base salary of internal peers, prior performance, business sector, and geographic location.
Energizer strives to create a supportive work environment centered around colleagues’ professional and personal well-being. Our total rewards package provides comprehensive benefits to attract, retain, and protect our colleagues – including health and welfare insurance, parental leave, paid time off, and retirement savings plans.
Salary : $129,000 - $187,000