Packaging Assistant Manager – Deodorant Category

JOB TITLE:Packaging Assistant Manager – Deodorant Category

LOCATION:Leeds

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 Persil, Dove, Knorr, Domestos, Hellmann’s, Lipton, Wall’s, PG Tips, Ben & Jerry’s, Marmite, Magnum and Lynx. 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”

We are a global team who innovate boldly to create the products and experiences that improve people’s health, confidence and well being and positively impact the health of the planet. This in turn drives sustainable, profitable growth for Unilever and our much-loved brands.

We are the innovators, scientists, engineers, chefs, technologists, regulatory experts and data scientists, bringing to life our ambitions, without being afraid to challenge our own thinking to get there.

We are award-winning leaders recognized for our expertise, celebrating the diversity and creativity in each and every one of us that makes our innovations come to life.

We are Unilever R&D.

BACKGROUND

As global market leaders, the Deodorant Category have developed some of the finest products known to underarms: Rexona (Sure), Axe (Lynx) and Dove. This is why, in our mission to help people look good, feel good and get more out of life, we’ve enjoyed many years of consecutive healthy growth. Through a clearly defined strategy, the Deos Packaging team continue to build leading edge products and capabilities and have the creativity and freedom to constantly create, share ideas and execute outstanding packaging innovations.

We are looking for a motivated individual with project management experience in some aspect of a product innovation.
As leader of the packaging workstream for the development of consumer and customer-preferred deodorant packaging, this role will give you the opportunity to work with cross-functional teams (including other R&D functions, Marketing and Supply Chain), as well as our development partners and global suppliers.

You will be responsible for leading a packaging project team to gain design approval and qualify the packaging, by developing scientifically rigorous test protocols, validating the functional performance of components and assemblies, and communicating the results to the global Packaging community for roll out.
The team has a reputation for continuous improvement in developing leading edge enabling technologies, capabilities processes, and you will also take the lead on key elements of our packaging strategy.

JOB PURPOSE

This job is based in the packaging function within the Global Category Format Design Team (FDT). The job holder will have the sole responsibility for delivering the packaging elements of their project, additionally they will be expected to lead, deliver and support elements of the deodorants packaging strategy.

This job holder will work closely with internal Unilever functions (R&D, Marketing, Supply Management, and Supply Chain) and external suppliers to cover all aspects of the development and testing of new deodorant packaging for global and/or regional roll-out.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage all packaging aspects of the Category portfolio and continually assess priorities to ensure OTIF programme delivery – including non-innovation activities.

• As Work Stream Leader, lead and support Global Project Teams in the deployment of hardware innovations projects, define roles and responsibilities and ensure all are held accountable for their individual delivery. Will be the primary point of contact for the Brand project leader, and other functions leaders working on those projects.

• Lead technical inputs into the category innovation projects to ensure that the packaging is compatible with supply chain, formulation and customer packaging requirements. Ensure packaging solutions meet all regulatory and legislation guidelines and meet best practice guidelines.

• Develop new packaging projects which is compatible with supply chain, formulation, consumer & brand requirements and ensure the pack undergoes relevant testing protocols. Interpret results to enable specification build, create reports and make recommendations to the team.

• Liaise with multiple functions and external parties simultaneously to ensure relevant Packaging activities adhere to network timings. Ensure all Packaging deliverables are accounted for in decision gate documents and that all risks are identified and managed.

• Ensure key project deliverables are met, manage stakeholder requirements through regular project updates to the regional programme director and marketing leaders, and deputise for the packaging manager if required.

• Manage and lead the technical relationships with suppliers for hardware development, qualification and testing.

• For new hardware projects, define functional and material specifications, for all components and finished pack.

• Play an active role in leading and contributing to the Unilever Packaging Strategy (including Global Deos and UL Sustainability) and other departmental activities.

ALL ABOUT YOU

The job holder must have experience in packaging design/engineering, and technical packaging testing and validation. Previous experience working with rigid plastic suppliers, developing and testing new packaging designs, will be valuable.

More specifically, working knowledge of plastic polymers and injection moulding processes; while basic awareness on metals packaging and conversion processes, together with multi-component assemblies and design (3D CAD) will be an advantage

Previous experience working on consumer goods, medical devices and/or complex multi component plastic assemblies will be required.

Strong business acumen, and a proven track record of managing complex projects to market is preferable. Understanding of cost drivers when designing and moulding plastic components, and able to demonstrate experience in complexity reduction and cost saving principles will considered as a strong advantage

The job holder needs experience working on virtual teams across functions, and with external partners. He/she must also be able to communicate clearly to decision makers and stakeholders.

A growth mindset is required for a role that will be looking for new opportunities, bringing in new ways of working, such as new devices and breakthrough technologies.

Education:

Preferably graduate calibre, with a science or engineering technology background.

Knowledge/Skills/Experience

Skills:

• Strong leadership capability and the ability to hold others accountable.

• High level of attention to detail.

• Ability to multi-task at a complex level.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Management of projects to very tight timescales - an ability to work to agreed deadlines is essential.
  

Relevant Experience:

• Packaging technologist/packaging engineer training is essential.

• Proven experience on packaging development acquired in FMCG environment.

• Ability to read technical drawings and understand components specifications.

• Should be competent in developing and testing new packaging designs.

• Working knowledge on injection moulds and plastic components approval.

• Know how to use Digital Tools and interact with Engineering and Industrial Design partners.

• In addition, had previous experience interacting with Consumer Research Agencies and being familiar with consumer language and agencies reports.

Key Competencies:

• Agility.

• Passion for High Performance.

• Consumer love.

• Business acumen.

• Growth Mind-set.
  
  

WHAT WE OFFER

Not only do we offer a competitive salary, but also our pension scheme, an annual bonus, a free gym, a staff shop and shares. You’ll get the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and agile environment. We strive to achieve a family-friendly culture 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 embrace diversity in our workforce. 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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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.