Product Development Director LATAM/MX

About the role

A collective energy and ambition. A place where you can make a real difference. We're a company that genuinely cares about our people, our products, our consumers and the environment. Our unique, informal culture champions courage, determination and collaboration. Knowing we have an open and supportive team means each of us has the freedom to take responsibility and ownership. We have a shared passion to work hard, innovate and push boundaries. United by the belief that when we strive for growth, anything is possible. While we might not be the largest company in our industry, we believe we can have the biggest impact because: Together We Have the Power to Win. Role Summary The Product Development Lead, Mexico/LATAM, is the strategic lead for all R&D activities in the region, reporting to R&D AVP International. This role is responsible for driving the technical agenda that delivers on Mexico/LATAM's ambitious 2030 business growth targets-from $200MM to over $350MM in net sales-by translating regional strategy into actionable regional product adaptation, supply chain and portfolio initiatives. The position will serve as the technical counterpart to other regional functional leads, ensuring R&D is fully aligned with business priorities and is a key enabler of growth. Key Relationships - Senior Marketing Leaders, LATAM Sr Director, including VP and GM for Mexico and LATAM - Senior R&D leaders (Global and Regional) - Marketing, Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory, and Manufacturing leadership - Local and global cross-functional teams Position Specification & Scope - Lead the Mexico/LATAM R&D team, providing strategic direction, technical leadership, and project management for a portfolio of over 45 projects, with significant expected growth as the region expands from 200MM to 350MM. - Develop and execute science-based product pipelines and platforms focused on consumer-driven, technology-centric designs for LATAM's key brands: Therabreath, Hero, OxiClean, Sterimar, Arm & Hammer, Batiste, Touchland, Nair, Trojan, and others. - Align R&D activities with the LATAM 2030 strategy, focusing on scaling priority (Grow and Seed) brands, regional innovation behind Grow brands, and supporting expansion into strategic markets (Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Brazil). - Drive and coordinate local and regional supply chain initiatives, including: o Development and qualifications of local contract manufacturers (CMs) o Packaging, repacking, and sizing customization for regional needs (e.g., club channels, traditional trade, e-commerce) including products that are strictly regulated. o Support for regional distribution centers and logistics optimization (if includes local customization, co-packing). - Ensure regulatory and quality compliance for all R&D activities, working closely with QA and RA functions. - Represent LATAM R&D on the global leadership team, contributing to global strategy and sharing regional insights. Role Accountabilities and Responsibilities - Direct consumer-centric design and development of products within defined cost models, launch requirements, and supply chain parameters. - Lead regional and technical validation for new and modified products, ensuring alignment with business objectives and resource allocation. - Coordinate technical activities across R&D, Quality, Regulatory, Engineering, and Supply Chain. - Assure that all products are developed in full compliance with C&D global quality and regulatory policies, meeting all required standards. Collaborate closely with Center of Excellence (COE) leadership to align on requirements and ensure best practices are consistently applied across the LATAM region. - Assure alignment with patent strategies and work with IP counsel to protect CHD technologies. - Manage R&D teams, prioritize projects, and delegate activities to meet agreed objectives. - Execute multiple projects within budget for commercialization. - Lead ongoing monitoring and anticipation of external trends, technologies, and market developments relevant to product innovation. - Build and sustain strategic relationships with key external partners (e.g., packaging suppliers, fragrance houses, technology providers) - Proactively translate insights into actionable inputs for innovation pipelines and Go-to-Grow initiatives, in close partnership with Supply and cross-functional teams. - Recommend and assess feasibility of new technologies (especially packaging), identifying critical success drivers for LATAM. - Coordinate qualification programs for regional product designs and materials, including local adaptation and cost optimization. - Support cost savings initiatives related to design, materials, and manufacturing. - Foster cross-functional collaboration and communication to streamline processes and deliver high-quality results. Education and Experience - Minimum 10 years of R&D leadership and product development experience, ideally in household, cosmetic, or medical device secto

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