Packaging Design and Development Project Lead – HUL Foods

Job Title: Packaging Design and Development Project Lead – HUL Foods

Location: Unilever R&D Bangalore

ABOUT UNILEVER:

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

BUSINESS CONTEXT:

Unilever Foods is a €13+ billion business, representing 22% of Unilever’s total turnover. 54% of the business is in emerging markets, with India, China, Mexico, and Brazil being the largest. Unilever Foods is focused on three global verticals: condiments, cooking aids, and mini meals, as well as Unilever Food Solutions. There is a geographical focus on India to accelerate the business. We have power brands like Hellmann, Knorr and Horlicks and purposeful local brands Red Label, Kissan.

At HUL Foods, we bring the taste everyone loves to brighten every day. We are one of India’s leading and largest F&B Companies with the turnover of €1.6 billion. We are proudly associated with Key flagship brands which include Brooke Bond Tea, Coffee, Horlicks and Kissan. HUL Foods strives to maintain its leadership position in the market by continuously innovating and expanding its product portfolio. With this context, the vision of HUL Foods business is to Nourish a billion lives and to add another Billion to the business in India. India Foods business consists of Tea (~650 mE), Coffee (~145 mE), Lifestyle Nutrition (~508 mE), Foods (~198 mE) and has local jewels and global brands.

JOB PURPOSE / ROLE:

This Role will be mainly accountable for leading Innovation & renovation projects for Lifestyle Nutrition - Core and Future core Platform (Horlicks & Boost). Leading to deliver packaging success criteria, follow review process, risk mitigation and overcoming technical challenges, coordinating with sites team and quality team to deliver the results which will  help business to build top line or bottom line depending on project scope.

This role would also require to have practical knowledge and expertise on rigids and flexible formats and working knowledge of leading Pack formats used in HUL Foods.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Ensure OTIF delivery of Innovation Programme set by category with right delivered quality.  

• Sustainability Focus: Have a deeper knowledge and expertise in rigid packaging formats to support the Sustainable Plastic Agenda. Engage and build ecosystems along the end-to-end materials value chain for sustainability programmes focusing on Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR)

• Collaboration Partner with brand teams and internal R&D teams to build Unmissable Brand Superiority (UBS) packaging scores and explore potential superiority claims through packaging. Maintain open communication and build strong relationships with multiple functions.

• Supporting fabricate and evaluate/assess a working package, equipment or product prototype/sample against technical requirements, fit to concept or performance specifications (e.g. functionality , mould design and qualification and operational feasibility and making robust plan accordingly

• SAP System Manage end to end SAP related activity for trial execution and supporting all packaging projects Operate with discipline:

• Lab Management: Need to support team to manage packaging labs

• Technical Analysis: Conduct technical analysis of new packaging designs, provide feedback to project teams regarding design viability, and identify possible solutions to technical problems while minimizing changes to the design intent.

• Compliance and Quality: Work with operations, regulatory, and quality teams to ensure all packaging is compliant with domestic and international quality standards.

• Supplier Network Development: Develop supplier networks and areas for collaboration and proprietary knowledge.

• Digital Tools: Leverage digital tools to minimize experiments and validation, maximize output, and thereby speed up implementation.
  

Critical Skill requirements of the job:

• Packaging Expertise: A strong understanding of packaging, especially rigid and flexible packaging, to drive innovation and sustainability agenda

• Communication Skills: Ability to clearly communicate technical information to non-technical teams

• Risk taking: demonstrating calculated risk-taking ability with a rigor to maximize learning with minimum investment of people, money and time.

• Collaboration and communication: need to collaborate with key core members and seeking input and navigating the project fully with cross functional team

• A skilled and empathetic person who approaches challenges with flexibility, adaptability, and a focus on long-term impact. 

• Priotization: demonstrating work load capability, manage priorities of multiple projects running across the business.

• Business acumen, agility, growth mindset, Consumer and Customer Love are critical competencies for this role.  

Job Requirements/Qualifications:

• 8-10 years+ experience in packaging development. Preferred FMCG/Food packaging.

•  PG Diploma in packaging technology or a related technical discipline from Indian Institute of Packaging or Similar Institute of repute.

• In-depth knowledge in rigids portfolio including new component development, mold qualification, problem resolving though design.

• Proven ability to deliver results on time and with excellence.

• Experience in effectively and collaboratively working with contract manufacturers and component vendors 

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion 

Unilever embraces diversity and encourages applicants from all walks of life! This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.