Product Development Technical Communication Manager

Founded over 35 years ago, First Quality is a family-owned company that has grown from a small business in McElhattan, Pennsylvania into a group of companies, employing over 5,000 team members, while maintaining our family values and entrepreneurial spirit. With corporate offices in New York and Pennsylvania and 8 manufacturing campuses across the U.S. and Canada, the companies within the First Quality group produce high-quality personal care and household products for large retailers and healthcare organizations. Our personal care and household product portfolio includes baby diapers, wipes, feminine pads, paper towels, bath tissue, adult incontinence products, laundry detergents, fabric finishers, and dishwash solutions. In addition, we manufacture certain raw materials and components used in the manufacturing of these products, including flexible print and packaging solutions.

Guided by our values of humility, unity, and integrity, we leverage advanced technology and innovation to drive growth and create new opportunities. At First Quality, you’ll find a collaborative environment focused on continuous learning, professional development, and our mission to Make Things Better®.

We are seeking a Product Development Technical Communication Manager for our First Quality Home Care Products LLC facility located in Trumbull, CT. The Divisional Product Development Technical Communications Manager role provides product technical advice & value to North America retail sales organization, manages and develops retailer’s product design, technical advantages, consumer data, and other technical information related to the product category. Translates complex product technical information into clear messaging for marketing, sales, and customers, and collaborates to resolve product or service requests regarding technical issues. Provides our Retail Customer’s with product specifications, samples and product testing, as well as insuring that our Operations Team is well versed in the Customer’s expectations related to product launches, product changes, specifications and procedures. Manages and develops the product claims communications, substantiation process, and index for the division

Primary responsibilities include:

• Manages design change third party laboratory testing sampling submissions and testing activities. Includes scheduling and oversight of product testing.

• Manages HCP retailer's private brand processes around product lifecycle management, including customer specifications, compositions, claims, and other product technical information.

• Supports product development communications that support the Company’s overall strategic business plan and provide technical support to Marketing and Sales during product transitions.

• Maintains relationship with retailer’s private brand teams and engages retailers in technical information needs.

• Builds and maintains product Frequently Asked Consumer Question (FAQ') responses for our call center and customer questions.

• Leads the creation of technical reports/ customer communication tools that document activities supporting new product innovations, regulatory compliance, and claim substantiation.

• Manage and upload required product technical documentation into customer portals.

• Stays current with compliance knowledge impacting product, environment, security, and social responsibility. Utilizes information to support regulatory communications with HCP businesses and customers.

• Keep up to date with market trends, new developments, and consumer testing; utilize information for business improvement.

• Supervises the activities of assigned staff.

• Perform other duties and assignments as necessary.

The ideal candidate should possess the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering field preferred OR equivalent combination of technical education and experience

• Minimum of 5 – 10 years’ experience in product development and technical writing and substantiation

• Experience working cross-functionally with R&D, Regulatory, Quality, Marketing, and Legal

• Ability to motivate, influence and persuade customers and personnel to accept recommendations and strategies.

• Knowledge of household cleaning products

• Experience in domestic and international regulatory environments.

• Demonstrated ability to drive work & get results in a global environment and ability to take risks and drive decisions.

• Cross-functional project management expertise with experience, including experience in activities and interaction with personnel in the areas of supply chain, marketing sales, regulatory affairs, and project management

• Demonstrated understanding of info systems that apply to tracking, project mgmt. & capacity analysis i.e., Microsoft project or equivalent, excel.

• Ability to travel up to 35% of the time

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent strategic planning skills.

• Executive-level communication capability

• Ability to manage multiple documentation streams simultaneously

• Ability to make things more systematic

• Strong excel skills.

• Strong statistical analysis skills.

• Proficient with applicable database and compliance software.

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or similar software.

- Travel, as required to support audits, manufacturing site meetings, and customer meetings/events.

What We Offer You

We believe that by continuously improving the quality of our benefits, we can help to raise the quality of life for our team members and their families. At First Quality you will receive:

• Competitive base salary and bonus opportunities

• Paid time off (three-week minimum)

• Medical, dental and vision starting day one

• 401(k) with employer match

• Paid parental leave

• Child and family care assistance (dependent care FSA with employer match up to $2500)

• Bundle of joy benefit (years’ worth of free diapers to all team members with a new baby)

• Tuition assistance

• Wellness program with savings of up to $4,000 per year on insurance premiums

...and more!