Mark Smerznak

Senior Vice President and Chief Research and Development Officer

Mark Smerznak is senior vice president and chief research and development officer of The Clorox Company.

In this role, Smerznak leads Clorox’s global R&D organization, advancing the company’s innovation agenda and building capabilities that fuel sustainable, profitable growth. With a deep track record of developing transformative technologies and fostering high-performing global teams, he plays a key role in driving Clorox’s transformation and unlocking new sources of value across its portfolio of trusted brands.

Smerznak brings more than three decades of global experience in consumer product innovation and R&D leadership. He joins Clorox from Procter & Gamble, where he most recently served as senior vice president of research and development for Greater China. In that role, he oversaw P&G’s R&D operations in the region and was a member of the company’s Greater China and Asia, Middle East and Africa leadership teams.

During his P&G career, Smerznak held a range of senior technical and leadership positions spanning five countries, including 18 years in China and two in Singapore. He led innovation strategy and corporate function capability development across China and the broader Asia region as well as global corporate functions in digital innovation, modeling and simulation, open innovation, and innovation center management. He also oversaw Asia Innovation Centers and operations supporting more than 1,400 R&D employees across Beijing, Singapore, Kobe, and Mumbai. He is an inventor on 15 U.S. patents.

Smerznak holds dual bachelor’s degrees — one in chemical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and one in economics (finance) from the Wharton School of Business.