R & D Deploy Technologist at Unilever

Job description

Purpose

Deploy innovation projects that deliver a consumer relevant mix on time and within cost target; Technical delivery of formulation aspects into the project teams; Implementation of the global / regional Category R&D agenda in the region; Translate consumer/competitor/supplier insights into technically deliverable ideas where relevant.

Job Responsibilities

• Delivery of the formulation technical mix elements defined in the product brief within category driven projects
• Plan and execute robustness testing, factory & pilot trials and measurement activities of formulation options
• Accurate recording, analysis and reporting of experimental data
• Contribute and/or lead in maintaining a fit-for-purpose experimental facility (laboratory, instruments, method development)
• In conjunction with Consumer Technical Insights Team, deliver consumer insights, product testing & claims/competitor challenges technical support
• Define technical specifications for materials & formulations
• Provide Technical support to Supply Chain for launch, re-launch, value improvement opportunities and quality compliant management.
• Align all aspects of formulation work to SHEQ & Regulatory & Unilever enabling systems requirements.
• Network effectively between local deploy and global category design teams to ensure relevance of the mix to the market.
• Where applicable, lead small scale technical project team on implementing non-complex projects such as single variant addition to an existing range or initiation of alternate material suppliers for savings opportunities.

ENVIRONMENTS

• Internal Interfacing Within R&D Function Through
• Exchange of information with the Category Design R&D Centre and local Technical Managers. Some influencing of regional requirements on formulations may be required.
• Negotiation with the Regulatory country members for technical detail and sample preparation may be required.
• Internal Interfacing With Business Partners – Supply Chain & Brand
• Provide technical support & understanding to the project teams & business partners. Influencing and persuasion may be required to ensure team members understand the impact of formulation choices on the product brief.

External To Unilever

• Minor negotiation around availability for 3rd party assistance is required.
• Nominal influencing is required with key supply partners for the delivery of technical aspects on a project (e.g. fragrance dosages)

FREEDOM TO ACT

• Applying a cost-, quality-, time model, utilize own discretion in defining the formulation space to meet the product brief.
• Seek opportunities within formulation tasks for speed to market, quality &/or cost improvements and agree these with the technical project lead & line manager.
• Apply own discretion, within the boundaries of the advertising & regulatory boards, in the level of technical support/data to be table at a claims forum.
• Together with Supply Management & Specifications team, the incumbent is solely responsible for the materials, their defining properties & supplier choice utilized in formulations.
• Responsible for passing/failing and documenting all robustness testing of the formulation mix and relevant report writing to cascade technical information to business partners
• Incumbent to support contingency planning & value improvement initiatives on materials independently of line manager
• Risk decisions impacting category delivered to be tabled with line manager & key stakeholders before progression.