Assistant R&D Packaging Manager at Unilever

JOB SUMMARY

• Lead the packaging development workstream for category design and deploy projects to deliver category growth goals. Projects include new innovations, cost saving/ complexity reduction, sustainability, quality, and supply chain support activities.
• Identify, develop, and maintain an ecosystem of packaging support service providers for the development of technical drawings, packaging prototypes, component testing and packaging trials.
• Lead packaging exploratory projects by identifying concepts, testing and iteration through prototype development, evaluation and testing of consumer appealing competitive & profitable packaging/ product mixes.
• Exploit emerging digital technologies for testing prototyping, modelling for sound decision making, and proving concepts for the effective collaboration with business partners and implementation of packaging change projects.
• Monitor Competitor activity and assess use of packaging technologies for competitive advantage in terms of consumer appeal, functionality, and cost.
• Be responsible for packaging testing and component approval & qualification to ensure components meet consumer expectations, functional requirements, customer needs, cost targets, manufacturing, and distribution demands.
• Collect and develop information and data to create technical packaging component specifications. Key deliverables are to ensure maintaining data integrity and comprehensive business reporting.
• Partner with suppliers and cross functionally to identify cost saving projects, evaluate feasibility, establish capability, and lead implementation to achieve savings targets.
• Lead risk identification, assessment and action planning for packaging change projects and contribute to risk assessments for innovation and cost savings projects.
• Provide leadership for packaging change projects through project management, including such activities as clarification of project goals & scope, collaborating to develop business cases, and preparing detailed project plans.
• Partner with supply chain, the R&D network, and suppliers to land onshoring projects.
• Collaborate with Market facing brand teams to deliver packaging concepts, designs, specifications, and technologies to maximise the impact of products in the category.
• Grow the R&D packaging talent pool through development of self and contributing to the development of others in terms of technical packaging knowledge, professional and general skills.
• Keep abreast of and evaluate emerging packaging technologies for opportunities to contribute to sustainable growth category goals.
• Lead packaging trials and lead cross functional teams to deliver trials on time and with rigour / integrity.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• At least 3 to 5 years’ experience in the packaging field, as a Packaging Technologist.
• Technical degree in Physics, Chemistry, Material Science, Math or in an engineering discipline like Mechanical or Industrial engineering.
• Experience with regards to Rigid technology and Flexible film technology would be advantageous.
• Must demonstrate understanding of package development process and engineering principles.
• Must demonstrate ability to design and develop primary and secondary packaging components that meet consumer, Brand, customer, and manufacturing objectives.
• Must be able to demonstrate a general understanding of project management to realize the order, importance, and impact of appropriate project activities and maintain packaging commitments to project scheduling.
• Must understand consumer, business, and category needs and the relationship to packaging decisions & execution. An entrepreneurial mindset is beneficial.
• You’re a born leader:  Coupled with the technical skill and knowledge, you will have the autonomy to deliver the dressings packaging strategy by partnering with cross functional stakeholders to delight the consumer with innovative, sustainable, and creative packaging solutions. 
• You love to win and have fun doing it:   In a dynamic and ever-changing business environment you will create magic by providing packaging solutions that wins in the marketplace and brings a blissful experience to every BPC consumer. 
• You’re a change maker: Challenging Status quo and bringing a fresh perspective on how to deliver projects and packaging concepts into the marketplace is encouraging.
• You’re a culture & change champion:   Do you know about the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan?  We are looking for a team member who wants to discover their purpose and are free to champion it. Placing sustainability at the forefront of development.