Associate Director, Self Care R&D

Self-Care has high aspirations and expectations to expand the portfolio exponentially with both product innovation and scientific leadership in applicable need states both regionally and globally with a focus on lead markets.  With this expansion comes a need for experienced R&D leadership that can deliver unparalleled science, oversee teams leading complex technical programs and develop innovation strategy and direction to help mold the leaders of the future.     

With an ever evolving and growing pipeline within Self-Care, there is a need for R&D leaders who can work closely with commercial functions (Consumer Insights & Marketing) to better understand our consumers/HCPs and their unmet needs, help shape our future innovation, and keep pace with a rapidly changing Self-Care landscape in which competition is continuously expanding the footprint of historically finite brands.  Simultaneously, as we continue to become more holistic leaders in the broader Self Care scientific community, leading collaborations among functions internally (Medical Affairs, Clinical, Regulatory, Quality, Supply Chain, etc.) and with external partners (CRO’s, CMO’s, Research Institutes, etc) will be a critical growing need for the team in ensuring these visions comes to life.  

Key Responsibilities 

This position will serve as business facing R&D contact for the US Business as well as Global Self Care Franchise Marketing teams. The primary responsibilities of this role will include the continued development and expansion of the Self Care Pain pipeline as well as downstream product development activities across need states, including R&D leadership for multiple complex technical development programs at various stages (early feasibility, late-stage, etc.).  Additional responsibilities of this role include the following: 

• Close collaboration with commercial partners (Marketing and Consumer Insights) to understand consumer & HCP unmet needs for continued pipeline development including concept creation  

• Guides strategic direction of projects, initiatives, and/or scientific disciplines in support of organization’s strategies and provides appropriate updates to senior management 

• Technical program management and execution for both internal and external development programs (including budget management and appropriate success criteria) 

• Management of multiple scientists including “hands-on” leadership involving formulation techniques as applicable and career growth development for direct reports and future leaders 

• Leadership among cross-functional R&D, Marketing, and Business Development heads to ensure external engagement and leadership across various need state strategies 

• Capable of applying diversified expertise in technical and business principles, and implications of product/technology outcomes on the larger function/organization 

• Collaborate with cross functional partners and industry leaders to identify new trends and opportunities to drive growth 

• Enable data-based portfolio decision to drive upstream innovation investments. 

• Attract top talent and manage the talent strategy to meet the evolving needs of a top-class Self Care organization 

What we are looking for 

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree with at least 10+ years or Master’s degree with 8+ years or PhD degree with 6+ years of industry and/or relevant work experience in fields related to innovation/product development. 

• Background in OTC (i.e. Solids and Liquids) formulation and process development preferred.  

• Capability of applying diversified expertise in technical principles and implications of product/technology outcomes on the larger function/organization is highly preferred. 

• Broad (e.g. global) knowledge of the Self Care business is highly preferred 

• Knowledge and experience with regulatory requirements including ICH, FDA, compendia (e.g. USP, JP, EP, etc.) is required. 

• Ability to research and apply industry emerging trends to maintain business competitiveness is required. 

• Knowledge of GMPs, GLPs, SOPs latest regulatory trends and global regulations as appropriate, is required. 

• Knowledge of clinical strategies for both regulatory approval and/or claim is highly preferred. 

• Experience in developing E2E new product development technical project plans is required. 

• Demonstrated experience building and delivering presentations to senior leadership to both inform and influence decision-making is required.  

• Demonstrated experience in writing and/or approving applicable research documents for regulatory filings (e.g., IND, NDA) or product launches is preferred. 

• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with other departments and divisions within and outside Kenvue to achieve desired outcomes is required. 

• Ensures all activities are conducted in accordance with high ethical/quality standards and all applicable policies and procedures.