Formulation Technologist Leeds 2023

This job is based in the formulation development function within the Format Design team in the Global Category Design Centre. You will work to deliver relevant technologies to the brands as well as supporting the deodorant formulation strategy.

Job Purpose

This job focuses on the development of leading edge formulations and technologies across one or several applicator types to deliver new products for global rollout through working with URPS, external suppliers and universities.

• Lead formulation development across all applicators for global innovation projects, member of core team.
• Lead specific aspects of applicator capability and technical coaching within the department
• High level of technical input at both theoretical and practical levels

Responsibilities

• Formulation leader on key strategic global projects, responsible for the delivery of all aspects of the new formulations across all the different applicators, including benefit delivery, subsequent formulation testing, claims development and claim support generation, responsible for updating relevant documentation.
• In autonomy, lead specialised areas of new technology development within an applicator team by using technical expertise to planning the work streams. This involves working in the lab, with suppliers, URPS, SEAC and scouting for technical ideas/solutions, setting up relevant confidential agreements when required and patenting any new technology breakthroughs.
• Actively create/designs formulations to meet consumer needs, by manufacturing and testing new and existing formulations and using expertise to solve specific issues related to new ingredients, ingredients interactions, physical properties, stability and processing.
• Actively monitors competitor launches within specific applicator areas and through formulation expertise understand implications for Unilever products /brands and to generate support for any claim/patent challenges.
• Recognised as having expertise on specific applicator providing support to internal cross- functional Unilever teams within and outside of the deodorants category and act as link between global and regional Deo sites.
• Formulation contact for specific brand/applicator/technology providing information and answering queries to other functions/regions.
• Responsible for co-ordinating and implementing appropriate departmental technical training to facilitate development and understanding in technology field and manages day-2 day activities of team student, temp and/or lab assistant.
• Ensure that systems are in place to ensure efficient and safe running of the laboratory and GDC shared areas; identifies and where necessary designs any new equipment requirements or refurbishments and responsible for managing the departmental lab and Cap Ex budget
• Using specialised technical knowledge and rigour to develop new protocols and characterisation techniques for testing on specific applicator or technology field, updates/improving existing protocols and lead global protocol development for the formulation team
• Identify solutions to regulatory and legislative issues which have a significant impact on the business on applicator within key area of technical expertise.

About You

Experience

• Graduate calibre. Education: Preferably degree level in relevant science or engineering discipline.
• In depth knowledge of formulation techniques gained in FMCG or cosmetic care.
• Experienced in development of different technology bases e.g. suspension, emulsion, solution
• Working within and managing a formulation laboratory with good working knowledge of COSHH and risk assessment.
• Some packaging, processing and scale up knowledge would be an advantage.
• Digital acumen

Functional Skills

• Formulation Chemistry - understanding of ingredients; ability to modify and manipulate formulations.
• Evaluate and understand interactions between ingredients within formulation/process/pack
• Analytical capability – analyses and interprets data
• Design of experiments/protocol development
• Claims generation, definition and substantiation
• Intellectual property understanding
• Olfactive assessment capability
• Consumer understanding

R&D and General Professional Skills

• Information Management – knowledge capture, reporting, etc.
• Working with external suppliers
• Basic Project Management
• Strategic implementation
• Health and Safety regulations and process e.g. COSHH
• Effective communication

Competencies

• Global Mindset
• Real Accountability
• External Orientation
• Action Not Debate
• Team Alignment
• Build Superior Talent

Additional Information

• Limited travel with overnight stays maybe necessary
• Full Eu driving licence is desirable

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 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.

We are also more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to be present your best self. To find out more, including about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Unilever | Unileveropens in a new window.

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