Technical Leader - Wastewater - Mill Sustaining Capital (US KC-Site)
Job Description
Job Description
Join the team behind iconic brands like Huggies®, Kleenex®, Cottonelle®, Scott®, Kotex®, Poise®, Depend®, and Kimberly-Clark Professional® At Kimberly-Clark, it’s all here for you—innovation, growth, and the chance to make a real impact.
You’re not the person who will settle for just any role. Neither are we. Because we’re out to create Better Care for a Better World, and that takes a certain kind of person and teams who care about making a difference. Here, you’ll bring your professional expertise, talent, and drive to building and managing our portfolio of iconic, ground-breaking brands. In this role, you’ll help us deliver better care for billions of people around the world. It starts with YOU.
You were made to create Better Care for a Better World: as Preventing and fixing problems on technologically advanced, high-speed machines that produce top-notch products for ¼ of the world’s population is no easy feat, but it’s worth it when you’re recognized often by your manager, supported by your team, and see the products you produce being used by your own family at the end of the day.
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
Provide technical leadership and subject-matter expertise in water and wastewater systems at North American manufacturing plants to ensure regulatory compliance, operational reliability, and cost-effective performance across the sector. Update and maintain a five-year, class IV capital spending strategy for optimal treatment processes, equipment infrastructure, and utilities to achieve Kimberly Clark sustainability targets for GHG emissions, water intensity, sludge management, energy efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
Coordinate a team of plant representatives, capital engineers, technical professionals, equipment vendors, and technical service providers focused on water sourcing, treatment, reuse, and wastewater handling. Facilitate a collaborative network of plant expertise to deliver business results while supporting environmental stewardship and sustainability goals across the sector.
Customers:
Plant Leadership Teams, Environmental/Compliance Teams, Plant Utilities Asset Teams, Manufacturing Operations, and external regulatory agencies.
Recognized as a technical expert in water and wastewater treatment systems with knowledge of industry standards, emerging technologies, and environmental regulations.
Embraces new water treatment technologies, digital tools, and process innovations
Leads strategies for driving reliability, capacity, and compliance of water systems
Identifies and supports implementation of solutions that reduce cost, energy, and environmental impact
Provides leadership through mentoring, coaching, and role modeling within the technical community
Expectations and Accountabilities:
Coordinate engineering support for all water and wastewater treatment operations, including intake, pretreatment, biological treatment, tertiary systems, sludge handling, and discharge.
Ensure compliance with all environmental permits, regulatory requirements, and corporate sustainability commitments.
Reinforce safety systems and environmental compliance programs, demonstrating safety and stewardship as core values.
Identify and execute opportunities for cost savings, water reuse, waste reduction, and energy efficiency.
Provide leadership to attract, develop, and retain top technical talent; foster an inclusive and high-performing team environment.
Coach and mentor engineers and technical staff to enhance performance and support career growth.
Apply engineering principles and analytical tools to diagnose issues, optimize performance, and improve system capability.
Support troubleshooting and resolution of process upsets, permit risks, and system constraints across sector manufacturing plants.
Develop and champion capital and expense projects, ensuring proper scope, cost control, and impact.
Ensure documentation, knowledge capture, and standardization of best practices across the enterprise.
Provide leadership in identifying and balancing operational vs. capital solutions to meet business objectives.
Ensure compliance with internal controls, corporate policies, and financial accountability expectations.
Communicate with integrity and transparency to build strong internal and external relationships.
Support and apply Quality Management Processes to all responsibilities.
In this role, you will:
The incumbent reports to the Sr. Manager - Capital - Sustaining ꞏECE NA Capital Execution (or equivalent). Responsibilities include:
Coordinating a team of plant representatives, capital engineers and technical professionals
Providing technical leadership for all water, wastewater, and related utility systems
Driving process optimization, compliance assurance, and sustainability improvements
Supporting business strategies through water risk management and long-term planning
Leading capital project identification, prioritization, and implementation
Monitoring system performance and implementing continuous improvement initiatives
Communicating progress, risks, and achievements to leadership
Actively partners with corporate, site, and external stakeholders to implement standard solutions and best practices.
Led by Purpose. Driven by You.
About You
You perform at the highest level possible, and you appreciate a performance culture fueled by authentic caring. You want to be part of a company actively dedicated to sustainability, inclusion, wellbeing, and career development.
You love what you do, especially when the work you do makes a difference. At Kimberly-Clark, we’re constantly exploring new ideas on how, when, and where we can best achieve results. When you join our team, you’ll experience Flex That Works: flexible (hybrid) work arrangements that empower you to have purposeful time in the office and partner with your leader to make flexibility work for both you and the business.
To succeed in this role, you will need the following qualifications:
Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Environmental, Civil, Chemical, or relevant Engineering discipline
15+ years of experience in water/wastewater treatment, environmental systems, or industrial utilities
Demonstrated expertise in treatment technologies (e.g., biological systems, clarification, filtration, chemical treatment, sludge processing)
Experience with process optimization tools such as statistical analysis, process control, and continuous improvement methodologies (Six Sigma, Lean)
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver projects within scope, schedule, and budget
Experience coaching and developing engineers and technical staff
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Extensive experience in industrial paper manufacturing or water/wastewater systems
Experience with sustainability initiatives including water reuse, zero-liquid discharge, or energy recovery
Familiarity with corporate environmental standards and reporting systems
Experience working with regulators, consultants, and external service providers
Evidence of continued professional development and industry engagement
Dimensions:
Total Conversion Spending: $25MM annually
Total Benefits
We believe that our employees are our greatest asset, and we're committed to providing them with the resources they need to be successful. If you're looking for a rewarding career with a company that cares about its employees, then Kimberly-Clark is the place for you.
Here are just a few of the benefits you’d enjoy working in this role for Kimberly-Clark. For a complete overview, see www.mykcbenefits.com
To Be Considered
Click the Apply button and complete the online application process. A member of our recruiting team will review your application and follow up if you seem like a great fit for this role.
In the meantime, please check out the careers website.
And finally, the fine print….
For Kimberly-Clark to grow and prosper, we must be an inclusive organization that applies the diverse experiences and passions of its team members to brands that make life better for people all around the world, which is why we seek to build a workforce that encompasses the experiences of our consumers. When you bring your original thinking to Kimberly-Clark, you fuel the continued success of our enterprise. We are a committed equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. Statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for this position.
Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests which may include drug screening, background check, and DMV check.
Veterans and members of the Reserve and Guard are highly encouraged to apply.
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