Unilever Hiring for Sr. R&D Associate /Assistant Manager – Packaging at Mumbai, India Full Time

ABOUT UNILEVER:

Be part of the world’s most successful, purpose-led business. Work with brands that are well-loved around the world, that strive to improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us every day. Every day, nine out of ten Indian households use our products to feel good, look good and get more out of life – giving us a unique opportunity to build a brighter future. We promote innovation, big and small, to make our business win and grow; and we believe in business as a force for good. Our brilliant business leaders and colleagues provide mentorship and inspiration, so you can be at your best.

At HUL, we believe that every individual irrespective of their race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, nationality, caste, disability or marital status can bring their purpose to life. So apply to us, to unleash your curiosity, challenge ideas and disrupt processes; use your energy to make the world a better place. As you work to make a real impact on the business and the world, we’ll work to help you become a better you!

We are looking to hire for the role of Sr. R&D Associate /Assistant Manager – Packaging based in Mumbai

Business Context and Job Description

Hair is one of the fastest growing categories of HUL in South Asia. It is the growth engine for Hair globally with double digit growth year on year and exemplary margin delivery. It has market leadership with over 50% share in the region with India business having 51% share. Our aspiration is to grow the core business along with premiumization, driving penetration with wins over 50% TO, focus on purposeful brand growth by investing in sustainable packs, products and ingredients, development for new channels and fuel bottom line with end-to-end value change engineering. Key brands for the region are Clinic Plus, Dove , Sunsilk, TRESemme, Indulekha, Brylcream to name a few.

This position will be a member of the Cluster Design Packaging Team, and will be responsible for design & deploy of the regional packaging program for key brands in Hair. The Hair Cluster Design Packaging Team in Mumbai leads regional packaging innovation & strategy for the Hair business in South Asia. Delivering superior innovations, value (cost) improvement programs & driving the Unilever Sustainable ambition will be the key challenges for success in the role. Packaging plays a prominent role in these domains and is a key capability to drive competitive advantage for Unilever.

This Role demands close collaboration with other cross-functional team ( Product development Processing , CMI & CTI, Brand , Engineering, Procurement etc) & will support Packaging Manager with the co-ordination of packaging development projects and can lead assigned projects as packaging work stream leader by developing and executing testing plans for primary and secondary packaging, ensuring packaging is “fit for purpose” compatible with SC, Formulation, Unilever test standard , Consumer and Brand needs and legislation. Testing plans can include laboratory tests (at Unilever, at our convertors, and at 3rd party labs), factory trials, and distribution trials. The jobholder is expected to maximise the use of design, digital tools and deliver projects using Unilever project tools. In addition to planning and executing a range of comprehensive technical validation tests, the jobholder is expected to interpret results, prepare reports and communicate results/recommendations to the multifunctional project team to deliver the packaging activities.

The candidate must have previous packaging design and project management experience of regional scale projects and working knowledge of different FMCG based packaging material conversion processes.

Main Accountabilities

• Develop and progress packaging solutions on a regional scale on New Product Development projects, ensuring packaging is fit for purpose (by completing testing and trials) as well as delivering solutions which delights consumer & in line with sustainability ambition by following global best practices in packaging, and delivered OTIF (On time in Full).

• Manage assigned related primary & secondary packaging projects independently, working with Brand Development and the cross functional project team, to meet category objectives and key milestones.

• Technical analysis of new packaging designs and provision of feedback to project teams with respect to design viability & also identify possible solutions to sort technical problems minimizing changes to the design intent.

• Identify and implement potential cost saving activities for assigned packaging portfolio

• Develop a strong external eco-system of suppliers, industry experts & new technologies in packaging

• Prepare and develop supplier technical briefs where required, working closely with suppliers

• To manage good technical data records – project data, specifications, test results

• Basic Understanding & experience of the following – 1 UPP (Unilever Packaging Process), Packaging Specification – development in Team Center, Blue portal (for artwork approval) & understanding of the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan.

• To comply with the Unilever Code of Business Principles and all SHE and QA policies, including the support of product claims, risk management and environmental awareness.

Skills

• Technical Skills: The candidate should have working knowledge of key packaging technology areas, development processes, functional specification management with good knowledge of the manufacturing processes, packaging machinery interface, understanding supplier capability.

• Understanding of the packaging critical specifications and its supply base, cost dynamics across the regions.

• Detailed understanding on value chain of flexibles, Paperboards, & Rigids packaging, Manufacturing technologies,

• Understanding of interaction of packs and extended supply chain elements.

• Deeper understanding on barrier packaging technologies and application.

• Bias for action and high sense of accountability and responsibility is must. Focus on Growth mindset and consumer centricity is also required.

• Design mindset, external orientation, appetite to explore new ideas and ability to work with diverse people/functions across geographies.

• Good communications skills. Must effectively communicate on technical issues with other technical personnel as well as manage business communication with senior stakeholders

• Excellent influencing ability, both internal as well as external

Experience (Profile and Years)More than 3 -4 years of experience in Packaging for FMCG, a good understanding and hands- on experience of Flexible & Rigids packaging format.

QualificationPost-Graduation in Packaging Technology, BTech/MTech in Packaging Technology, Polymer or Chemical technology.

Travel

Yes (mainly domestic 10-15% of time).