Austria 
Belgium 
Canada 
Denmark 
Finland 
France 
Germany 
Italy 
Mexico 
Netherlands 
Norway 
Poland 
Spain 
Sweden 
United Kingdom 
USA 
Full time
Hybrid
Kunheim, France
Gothenburg, Sweden
Are you a senior leader with a strong background in material development who enjoys shaping direction, building capability and delivering results in a global organization? This is an opportunity to bring your expertise and leadership to Essity and contribute to the continued development of material innovation within our Consumer Tissue business.
We are now looking for a Material Development Director to join our Consumer Tissue business unit. Through trusted brands and strong technological capabilities, Essity helps improve everyday hygiene for hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Our approach combines consumer insight, innovation and operational excellence, with sustainability and responsible material choices at the core.
About the Role
As Material Development Director, you have global responsibility for material development within the Tissue Categories. You will build and lead a geographically dispersed expert organization, define direction and structure and create clarity across complex interfaces. You will work end‑to‑end across functions and geographies, supporting not only Consumer Tissue while also collaborating closely with other business units where non-woven and textile material expertise is shared.
You will report to the VP R&D & Technology Tissue. The role can be based in Kunheim (France) or Gothenburg (Sweden) and involves global collaboration.
What You Will Do
Secure the right material competence and resources to execute innovation projects and support Business Units in agreed Quality and Cost save projects.
Lead, develop and optimize the global material development organization, building a clear roadmap, operating model and capability base
Recommend most suitable and cost-efficient material solutions based on best practices built from monitoring Essity's and competitor's materials as well as material trends in the industry.
Build and maintain a competitive patent portfolio and design protection for the product area aligned with brand and business strategies
Initiate and drive material development projects to deliver and strengthen readiness for future innovation projects across R&D and technology platforms
Build and sustain strong R&D partnerships with suppliers and external stakeholders
Who You Are
You are a people‑focused and inclusive leader with strong business acumen and the ability to navigate complexity with confidence. You think strategically while staying grounded in material and technical realities. You communicate clearly, build trust across cultures and functions and influence through clarity, logic and respectful challenge. You are collaborative by nature, comfortable in a matrix environment and energized by developing both people and organizations for the future. You combine structure with curiosity, bring perspective to complex decisions, and understand how material choices impact performance, risk, sustainability and consumer value.
You have:
A university degree in a relevant field (such as Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or similar)
Extensive experience in material science, process or product development (15+ years), including senior leadership roles within materials‑driven or FMCG environments
Strong exposure to hygiene, tissue, nonwoven or textile materials (or adjacent industries with comparable complexity)
Proven ability to lead global expert teams and develop organizational capability over time
Experience working end‑to‑end across R&D, manufacturing, procurement, regulatory, sustainability and commercial interfaces
Solid understanding of innovation pipelines, IP strategy and supplier‑based development models
A strong digital mindset, with curiosity about data, new tools and evolving ways of working
Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels, balancing long‑term direction with near‑term delivery
Fluency in English; French is an advantage but not required
Willingness to travel internationally (approximately 20%)
What We Can Offer You
Our purpose, Breaking Barriers to Well-Being, provides meaning to everything we do. Join us to improve well-being for people and drive positive change for society and the environment. At Essity, you'll feel valued, empowered to grow, and challenged to achieve business results in a collaborative and open atmosphere. Innovate for Good | Excel Together | Be You with Us