Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Orientation Assignment – Fall 2006
Submitted by: Kelly Jordan
Corporate Overview:
· Founded in 1872
· Corporate headquarters in Neenah, WI
· Publicly owned
· 2005 Sales - $15,902,000,000
· 1 year sales growth – 5.6%
· A variety of brands in the following categories:
o medical
o newsprint & paper
o personal care (Huggies, Kotex, Depends)
o tissue (Kleenex, Scott, Cottonelle)
Corporate Strategy:
· Topics recently in the news:
o K-C saw 2nd quarter profits fall 10% due to commodity increases and rising energy costs. They will be implementing price increases and improved operations
o “Natural rubber out, synthetic materials in at Kimberly-Clark”
o June 30, 2006, “150 lay-offs in the next nine months at Kimberly-Clark.” Part of a reorganization plan to lay-off 10% of work force by 2008.
o “K-C honors June Allyson and her humanitarian contributions; Long-time Depends brand spokesperson educated millions on incontinence”
o “Cottonelle Toilet Paper and Travel Expert John Ratzenberger Encourage Americans to Discover Quirky Americana” (consumer promotion)
· The whole company is going through a major reorganization to be more consumer/customer-based. Marketing departments will continue to grow, but layoffs may occur in the mills and R&D.
· Proud corporate responsibility
· Sustainable forestry practice reports are detailed on company website
Career
· First-year recruits in brand management typically start as an Associate Brand Manager working on one brand.
· Recruits typically work on customer-based marketing doing a lot of sales forecasting and then can move to consumer marketing after a year.
· During first year, recruits can expect to go on a sales rotation to learn the business, some focus groups, but not much travel other than that.
· Travel will increase as recruit becomes more experienced (after a year).
· Very warm atmosphere/culture that is supportive and has a good work/life balance.
· Access to upper management.
Hiring Process
· Submit resume online
· Interview at NSHMBA
· Interview on-site in Wisconsin
· Decision made promptly
Recruiting at: NSHMBA, National Black
Other schools K-C recruits from: University of Michigan, Brigham Young University, Vanderbilt, University of South Carolina, University of Wisconsin (Madison)
MSU Broad Alumni: Yes
References: Company website, Hoover’s, K-C Employee & Broad Alumni (Tosca DiMatteo)