CTI Researcher at Unilever

MAIN JOB PURPOSE:

• Within the Nutrition Consumer Technical Insights (CTI) team, we are driving the delivery of outstanding innovations and preferred products to consumers. We do this by providing consumer technical insights to R&D Product and Packaging development, by using both qualitative and quantitative consumer, as well as sensory research.
• As a CTI researcher, it is vital to understand the needs of our consumer and translate these into actionable improvements for our food products. You will help plan and manage research that contributes to the Africa Nutrition programme and support the superior product designs in adherence to best practices, Unilever policies and Code of Business Principles.  This role presents an exciting opportunity for a team player who is passionate about product improvement and new product development, to play a key role in supporting the R&D Africa Nutrition Team through identifying opportunities and drive growth for Unilever’s Nutrition business. Another key area that CTI will drive is the impactful Claims & Selling Stories, making sure to translate product benefits into powerful demos, claims and selling stories across our business.

JOB SUMMARY / RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide a critical link between the Nutrition category and the consumer – to ensure the delivery of technical insights and consumer understanding to support the category Innovation and Renovation projects, as well as Cost Saving and Strategic Understanding initiatives.
• Employ a sound understanding of the category, brands, competitive environment and technologies to drive growth through technical insights, supporting the category strategy
• Ability to represent CTI in project teams and manage relationship with Project Leader (PL) and Technical Project Leader (TPL) to support objectives of project, e.g., consolidate prior research and market understanding to prepare an Insight Rewind document, develop a proposal for Consumer Insight plans to answer business questions, etc.
• Maintain relationship with Consumer Market Insight (CMI) to ensure project research agenda is integrated as one Consumer Insights Plan, e.g., manage the plans and budget required for research activities. Input into CMI research briefs to ensure a holistic Consumer Insight perspective is maintained, and vice versa.
• Maintain relationship with Global CTI capability experts for guidance on research methodologies and adherence to best practice.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Consumer Science, Sensory Science
• Minimum 3 years CTI experience.
• Fully operational in consumer and sensory research techniques (qual and quant).
• Working knowledge and skills in the following:
• Research Methodologies (what and where to use)
• External Awareness
• New Idea Generation
• Stakeholder Management
• Consumer Insight generation
• Must have:
• Passion for Food & Consumers
• Awareness of Global and Africa food trends
• Good communication and networking skills
• Passion and enthusiasm in unlocking insights from consumers, creation of new products and ideas and be obsessed with consumer and product quality.
• Ability to work in a multi-functional, multi-cultural environment.
• No dietary restrictions.
• Willingness to travel occasionally.