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”

In September 2020, Unilever announced the intention to build a new sustainable campus site in Kingston, London to house the employees who currently work in 100 Victoria Embankment in Blackfriars, Lever House in Kingston, Unilever House in Leatherhead and Graze in Richmond. We are creating our own Unilever sustainable, agile work environment, purposefully bringing us together in our own Unilever ecosystem. The campus is due to be completed in December 2023 and will consist of two interconnected buildings, as well as landscaped surrounding areas.

JOB PURPOSE

The Assistant Technical Project Leader (ATPL) role is a key role in the Hair Design Team. This role works centrally, across multiple innovation projects and cross functional teams, providing project management support. The ATPL interfaces directly with formulation development, Processing, Packaging, Claims and Consumer Technical Insight (CTI) teams to deliver robust product solutions against Development Briefs.

Lead all the technical elements (e.g. – formulation, processing, packaging, consumer technical insight, specifications, patents, safety, & in some cases manufacturing) of technically-complex global projects. 

Co-ordinate different R&D functions within innovation teams (Formulation, Process Eng., Packaging, Consumer Technical Insight, Specifications, Safety, etc. 

Develop and execute IP strategy (patents, design registries, partnership agreements with suppliers).

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Shaping and agreeing, together with TPL and Marketing, the technical aspects of project brief.

• Working either independently to lead innovations, or assisting the TPL on complex projects, as situation demands.

• Early evaluation of technical feasibility (link with business case and technical capability)

• Ensuring specifications of formulation, process, pack and Quality Assurance regimes are correct

• Responsible for risk management, claims and legal compliance with local & regional requirements.

• Responsible for intellectual property protection and patent, regulatory and safety clearance

• Responsible for stakeholder management regarding technical issues/status.

• Responsible for R&D section of decision gate documents.

• Managing the R&D Budget for each assigned project or initiative.

• Collaborate with global & regional colleagues and oversee the logistics of project activities, in line with accountability for delivering key activities and programme milestones.

• Provide key input to meetings with business partners and collaborators, to communicate objectives, priorities and risks of the work programme as required.

ALL ABOUT YOU

• Education to degree level or higher in a Science or Engineering discipline.

• Fully Operational in Project Leadership and Management skills.

• A working knowledge of the main science themes and the chemistry of product formulations and technologies.

• Working knowledge of product performance attributes and how this relates to claims.

• Previous work experience in R&D a plus.

• Ability to work independently and also as part of wider x-functional team.

• Self-motivated with resourceful problem-solving skills/practical creativity.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Computer literacy skills, including Microsoft Office are essential.

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.

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 to the IT Services Desk 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!