UI R&D - Skin Cleansing Liquids Packaging - Sr. Executive

Job Title:  Unilever International - R&D - Skin Cleansing Liquids Packaging - Sr. Executive 

Location:  Mumbai, HO; Open to Bengaluru

Function: Unilever International R&D

Geographic Scope: Global

Business Context:

Unilever International is Unilever’s White Space Arm!  of Unilever. With a TO of 1.4 Billion € it is

one of the fastest and profitable business of Unilever.

UI works across the world to fill white spaces for Unilever. As intrapreneurs, we introduce Unilever’s brands into white space geographies like Korea, Pacific Islands, Mongolia, and spearhead launches of iconic household brands like Dove, Lifebuoy, Sunlight, Fair & Lovely, TRESemme into big markets like U.S, China, Western Europe, and SEAA.   

As Unilever’s growth engine, we establish global white space businesses in key channels such as Health & Beauty, Discounters, E-Commerce, and alternate channels such as travel retail, marketing to institutional partners like the United Nations, and seeding Unilever brands to overseas diaspora who crave for a taste of their familiar home brands.   

Singapore is our global hub leading strategy, marketing thinking, seeding plans, and alignment with the global categories and supply chain. We have global presence and UI hubs all over the world. 

R&D is spread across India (Mumbai, Bangalore and Gurgaon) , Korea , Europe and USA.

The UI skin cleansing business is around €300 million, with double-digit growth rates. Besides focusing on the main brands such as Dove, Lifebuoy, and Lux in certain regions, UI is also scaling up other brands like Camay, Suave, and Pears (except India), managing their complete range of products across the globe.

This position entails leading innovation processes at major facilities including Alliance and Manheim for Bar., Kandla, Hefei, and various global sites for Liquid formulations, providing an opportunity to engage with the entire global skin cleansing portfolio managed by Unilever and third-party collaborators. Operating across all pricing tiers, the skin cleansing product line now aims to strengthen its presence in the premium segment, which will be one of the key responsibilities of this role.

The role will represent UI in skin cleansing category discussion with the global R&D for innovations and 5S programmes.

This role serves as the final checkpoint for all R&D activities related to skin cleansing as a R&D lead and will exercise full autonomy while adhering to Unilever's regulations.

Purpose of the Job:

To lead UI global SCL R&D for packaging, to build and take the UI PC business to underserved markets, channels with core and underserved brands to meet the unserved needs of the consumers globally. This involves identifying the consumer segments, their needs and preferences, and developing/Deploying products that cater to them in a cost-effective and sustainable way. Leading NPD Innovations, Cost Optimization & sourcing resilience projects.

Key Responsibilities

The job will lead all the R&D interventions for SCL packaging development & sustainability. The role will be a part of the PC BG taskforce and play an active role in driving the program for UI SCL alongside the other SCL leads. The job also requires collaborating with cross-functional teams, such as supply chain, finance, quality, and R&D, to ensure smooth execution of the innovation pipeline and market delivery.

Specifically:

• Drive and Deliver, Innovation roadmap working with the BG marketing.

• Lead NPD projects for SCL, partnering with the key business stakeholders across Marketing, Supply chain, Procurement & Global BG R&D.

• International exposure might need to travel for 10% time.

• Opportunity work on innovative 3D change projects with roll out across UI international markets.

• Roll out Sustainability plan for SCL Packaging portfolio as per Global roadmap.

• Other Key R&D deliverables – R&D SCL strategy, trend analysis, OTIF delivery of innovations, 5S and sustainability.

• Develop savings ideas in close working with categories and implement these within agreed R&D framework.

• Leverage category knowledge for adaptation in UI.

• Develop and maintain close connection with GDC and RDCs for SCL.

• Drive rigor, risk assessment & mitigation and safety during projects delivery.

• Regular connect with factory teams for support new launches, MPT factory trials.

• Responsible for project execution in line with the best practices; Manage expectations of key stakeholders by providing regular feedback on project progress.

• Supports full scale production trials including comprehensive data recording and reporting on trial outcomes.

• Manage relationships with packaging vendors and effectively communicate regional and local packaging requirements.

Standards of Leadership: Apart from Unilever standards the candidate must also meet the UI 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 Yoda

Experience Required:

• Minimum 3-5 years of relevant Packaging R&D experience in BG/BU R&D teams.

• Experience in Working on Flexible, Rigid and Carton Packaging (Full Operational level).

• Having established delivery of complex and Multiple projects desirable.

• Having working knowledge on majority of the Unilever digital tools will be add advantage.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

• Post Graduate – Packaging or Engineering with relevant packaging experience.

• 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

Standards of Leadership: (Unilever International)

• CARE DEEPLY to nurture our tribe and work and win together

• FOCUS ON WHAT COUNTS – Consumer and customer obsession

• STAY THREE STEPS AHEAD to drive hunger for growth

• DRIVE WITH EXCELLENCE & Passion for execution

• DIGITAL YODA (Digital first)