R&D B&W Skin Care BU, Project Lead

Background
Unilever recognizes R&D as a core function and driving engine for the business growth and R&D designer is an important functional role, to contain, protect and inform, but also as the first “touchpoint” with the consumer, it must engage the consumer, reflecting the brand proposition, and delivering a delightful experience. To ensure the robustness and technical performance of new formulation, before it is placed in the market, involves both design and technical innovation in product formulation. Working closely with other Unilever functions as part of a cross-functional team, the R&D designer will support R&D expert and technical project leader with the co-ordination of product development and deployment projects and can lead assigned projects as R&D designer by developing and executing testing plans, ensuring product is “fit for purpose” compatible with SC, packaging, Unilever Policy, Consumer and Brand needs and legislation. Testing plans can include laboratory tests (at Unilever and at 3rd party labs), factory trials, and distribution trials. The jobholder is expected to maximize the use of design tools and deliver projects using Unilever project tools using new digital tools developed specially for R&D design team.

In addition to planning and executing a range of comprehensive technical validation tests, the jobholder is expected to interpret results, prepare reports and communicate results/recommendations to the multifunctional project team to deliver the formulation designer activities. This position will interface with Brand Development, Supply Chain, Procurement, Product development, Processing, CTI, CMI, and Packaging Suppliers, to drive consumer focused innovative and optimized product solutions.

Key Responsibilities:
The role will support all R&D interventions for product development and regulatory compliance within B&W – Skin Care category. As part of the B&W taskforce, this position will actively contribute to driving the strategy for B&W Skin Care alongside other B&W small C leads. Additionally, the role requires collaboration with cross-functional teams, including supply chain, finance, quality, and R&D, to ensure the smooth execution of the innovation pipeline and market delivery.
• Identification and deployment of appropriate global mixes for the various markets which meets consumer expectations, cost & value equation and regulatory requirements.
• Support development of formula & prototyping in close coordination with GDC and ensure deployment OTIF for innovation funnel projects
• Working very closely with the B&W RA team to support the regulatory assessment for portfolio
• Developing savings ideas and implement with collaboration with categories and implementing them within the agreed R&D framework.
• Managing other key R&D deliverables such as the R&D B&W strategy, trend analysis, OTIF delivery of innovations, 5S, and new claims.
• Conduct lab pilot batches for NPD projects and ensure End to End factory support and technology transfer
• Regular connect with factory teams for support new launches, MPT factory trials.
• Leveraging category knowledge, demos, and the KBS toolkit for adaptation in B&W.
• Collaborating closely with BG and BU teams to align mixes and understand deployment requirements
• Leveraging Digital tools and develop expertise in pulling out all the global R&D data independently and be an up to date on tools
• Ensuring the implementation of regulatory changes across UI-specific mixes and sourcing units as per global mandates.
• Driving rigor, risk assessment, mitigation, and safety during project delivery.
• Executing projects in line with best practices and managing stakeholder expectations by providing regular feedback on project progress.

Standards of Leadership:
Apart from Unilever standards the candidate must also meet the Unilever standards of leadership.
• Work and win as one team
• Inspiring and nurturing our tribe with compassion
• Consumer and customer obsession
• Passion for execution
• Deep Hunger for growth
• Digital first and Social First

Experience Required:
• Minimum 2 years of relevant R&D experience in BG/BU R&D teams.
• Skin care experience is preferred
• Having established delivery of complex and Multiple projects desirable.
• Having adaptability and quick decision making
• Having working knowledge on majority of the Unilever digital tools will be add advantage.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:
• Graduate B Tech/ B Pharm/B Chem ; Post Graduate – MSc Chemistry/ M Tech/ M Pharm/ M Chem
• Project management skills and good stakeholder management
• Good Verbal/written Communication skills
• Dealing with people from multicultural backgrounds.
• Multi tasking ability
• Ability to work independently with Cross-functional team members
• Travelling will be required
• A person with strong business understanding will be preferred

Any other critical personal characteristics:
• Candidate should be creative in beauty industry, have design mindset, external orientation, appetite to explore new ideas across format like rigids and flexibles etc and ability to work with diverse people/functions across geographies.
• Able to work effectively in multi-disciplinary & multi-cultural teams.
• Willingness to support global WoW with time zone differences.
• Flexibility in work style to be able to manage several projects simultaneously.
• Intermediate to Advanced Intermediate Level English (person must be able to write emails and reports in English, which can be easily understood, and can actively participate at English-speaking business meetings).
• Must effectively communicate on technical issues with other technical personnel and nontechnical personnel and management orally and in writing
• Excellent influencing ability, both internal as well as external
• Demonstrated ability to manage senior stakeholder relationship.
• Good communication skills
• Occasional travel: 1 – 10 days (Domestic)

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.

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