Packaging Specialist (Repack/Customization)

Job Title: Packaging Technologist

Location: Kingston Upon Thames

Reporting To:  Gifting & Repacking Planning Manager

JOB PURPOSE

The Repacking team provides an end-to-end solution where this cannot be delivered within our manufacturing network. The team retains specialism in the planning, execution of events, the technical design of packaging and the cost-effective sourcing of materials and providers.

The Repack Packaging Technologist is responsible for technically brilliant execution and activation in store, managing ~200 projects with ~€2million packaging spend annually, whether this in the area of In-store Displays, Gondola ends, Shelf Ready packaging, promotional activities or gift packs. This also requires close co-operation with all key functions in the business to ensure we can deliver optimum technical solutions at the most competitive possible cost.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Packaging Technologist will own & deliver innovative customer packaging solutions (in-store displays, SRPs, special packs), on time, in full for the UK & Ireland portfolio of projects, whilst driving standardization, value improvement & cost savings projects, across Home Care, Personal Care, Foods and Refreshment categories. Within the role the Packaging Technologist will:

Project Management:

• Work in multi-functional teams (Customer Account Managers, Marketing, Artwork teams, Supply Chain planners, Suppliers, Repackers, Procurement, R&D, Quality, Finance and other associated functions) to deliver Repack projects.

• First point of contact for marketing to assess project feasibility (design idea, initial cost estimate & timing).

• Create, tracker & deliver project milestones by defining deadlines & holding functions accountable.

• Lead end-to-end tender process with Suppliers on secondary & tertiary pack materials with form support cross functional teams (Supply Chains & Procurement). Qualify new suppliers on processes & systems

Collaboration:

• Lead project calls & maintain excellent communication (with Suppliers, Repaackers, and Planners), risk identification and mitigation, giving visibility to stakeholders (CAMs)

• Plays a vital role in weekly collaboration calls with Shopper marketing team, Repackers & Suppliers to understand priorities, supply constrains & challenges, to plan trails & mitigate risks

• Issue management through clear explanations of live risks and opportunities, consequences and actions that need resolution to meet agreed objectives

• Work with European colleagues to develop best practice and harmonized ways of working

Technical Expertise:

• Design, develop and engineer packaging solution options by working with selected suppliers in development work

• Assess packaging to ensure it is fit for purpose (carryout testing and trials), modify as necessary to meet customer requirements, shopper requirements, functional parameters, cost targets, manufacturing & shipping requirements.

• Deliver the content of technical specifications for all packaging components developed in a project, within agreed timelines

• Consistently develop and maintain the relevant technical expertise and competencies of self

Planning & Execution:

• Plan, source & executive load-up plans, initiate trails & transit test for new formats. Work closely with Repackers to understand end-to-end operation and obtain quotations & challenge as needed.

• Systematically forecast on new projects in the pipeline with Suppliers & Repackers to enable capacity & resource planning

• Write project specific repacking brief, develop standards for reference, build pallet plans, sign-off samples & first production samples. Visit Suppliers & Repackers to qualify new formats & for issue resolutions.

Performance & Capability building:

• Lead business reviews, own & deliver KPI’s (service, quality & cost) for pack materials suppliers & repackers - measure, gap analysis, develop and implement actions to close gaps.

• Develop standards/best practices with suppliers to deliver best possible service right first time, example: standards templates, qualifications process, capability road maps, scorecard, etc… 

• Deliver year on year cost saving by driving standardization of materials & processes, eliminate complexity, introducing new suppliers to develop business contingency plan to mitigating supply risk

• Drive solutions and strategies for long term sustainability goals including pledges on plastic reduction

ALL ABOUT YOU

• Demonstrable relevant working experience in a FMCG environment is required (Packaging development, Supply chain), preferably with customer packaging specific experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Packaging or Engineering related field is preferred, or equivalent

• Project Management Experience (proven track record of project delivery) within supply chain, procurement & repack/customization operations

• Knowledge and technical competence in corrugated structures, package materials transformation & decoration

• Flexible working style to effectively organize and manage multiple projects and priorities in a dynamic environment across multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural teams located in various sites

• Must be able to communicate issues effectively to technical and non-technical business partners (Brand, Customer Development, Finance, Creative, Manufacturing)

NOTES

About Unilever

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Food, Home and Personal Care products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2 billion consumers a day. Unilever has more than 400 brands found in homes around the world, including Dove, Tresemme, Lynx, Lifebuoy, Shea Moisture, Persil, Domestos, Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum, Marmite, The Vegetarian Butcher, Graze and Pot Noodle.

Faced with the challenge of climate change and the need for human development, we want to move towards a world where everyone can live well and within the natural limits of the planet. That’s why our purpose is ‘to make sustainable living commonplace’  

What We Offer

Not only do we offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, we also offer an annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.

Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We are a key advocate of wellbeing and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all. 

Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities, and growing together for better business performance. We want to push boundaries, and have the flexibility needed to keep adapting in an ever-changing, more dynamic world. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. 

As part of your hiring journey, we are happy to support requests for reasonable adjustments, to improve your recruitment experience.

To find out more, including more information about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here.

Recruitment Fraud

Cyber criminals advertise fake job adverts with prestigious employers as a way of stealing information or even defrauding individuals out of money. In the most sophisticated cases, they will set up fake websites, which have a similar address to companies like Unilever. They even conduct fake telephone interviews and then offer candidates a role with the proviso they pay a fee for background checks or to cover work visa costs.  These types of attacks are becoming more common as more people are looking for employment in the economic climate. 

How is Unilever tackling this?

Many of Unilever’s recruitment sites publish a warning to candidates about recruitment fraud. The Cyber Security team also proactively scan for signs of people setting up fake Unilever sites and act to close them down. 

What can I do?

If you become aware of potential recruitment fraud, spot fake Unilever recruitment adverts or fake LinkedIn profiles, report them via Una Live Chat. 

Unilever does not accept responsibility or liability for any candidates who are financially impacted by recruitment fraud. Your vigilance is key!