Kimberly-Clark Names Craig Slavtcheff as Chief Research and Development Officer Kimberly-Clark today announced the appointment of Craig Slavtcheff as Chief Research and Development Officer, effective July 29th. Slavtcheff will succeed Robert Long, who is retiring from the company after 45 years in the CPG industry, including the last three years at Kimberly-Clark.
Slavtcheff brings over 30 years of experience in research and development within the CPG industry to his new role. He most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief R&D and Innovation Officer at Campbell Soup Company (NYSE: CPB), where he led transformative initiatives in R&D strategy, product development, and technology integration, including agile design, AI, and machine learning. Prior to Campbell, Slavtcheff held senior roles at The Sun Products Corporation and Unilever.
An inventor on more than 70 U.S. and global patents across various product categories, Slavtcheff is recognized for generating growth platforms for leading brands.
“We are delighted to welcome Craig to Kimberly-Clark,” said Chairman and CEO Mike Hsu. “His extensive background in science-backed innovation and technology-driven solutions will strengthen our competitive edge. Craig’s leadership will be instrumental as we continue to drive consumer-centric innovation and invest in cutting-edge technology to enhance our product offerings.”
Hsu also acknowledged Robert Long’s significant contributions since joining Kimberly-Clark in 2021, noting Long’s pivotal role in establishing innovation as a key driver of business growth and advancing the company’s capabilities in material invention and product engineering.
“Kimberly-Clark’s legacy of pioneering innovation in consumer categories is impressive,” commented Slavtcheff. “I am excited to join Mike and the executive team to build on this momentum and accelerate innovation that delivers meaningful benefits to consumers.”
In his new role, Slavtcheff will lead Kimberly-Clark’s R&D efforts, focusing on proprietary technologies that enhance consumer preferences and brand equity. This includes innovations aimed at improving absorbency, comfort, skin health, and sustainability across Kimberly-Clark’s product categories.
“I am honored to have been part of a company renowned for defining industry standards through innovation,” said Long. “Craig’s leadership will undoubtedly propel Kimberly-Clark to new heights, and I look forward to witnessing the company’s continued success.”
