Formulation Design Technologist

Job Title: Formulation Design Technologist

Location: Leeds

JOB PURPOSE

This role 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 S&T, 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

This job is based in the Aerosol Formulation team in the Deodorant Packaging & Aerosols Team within the UK PC R&D Technology Centre. You will be working to deliver new formulations and technologies for aerosols and sprays.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Formulation workstream leader on key strategic global projects, responsible for the delivery of all aspects of the new formulations/technologies on specific applicators or/and multiple formulation streams in smaller projects. Communicate updates to the project team and to the global formulation community making recommendations.
• In autonomy, lead specialised areas of new technology development within an applicator/ benefit Platform team/s by using technical expertise to plan the work streams. This involves working in the lab, with suppliers, S&T, SEAC and scouting for technical ideas/solutions, setting up relevant confidential agreements when required and patenting any new technology breakthroughs.
• Actively create/design 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. Effectively communicating with different functional areas of the business to ensure deadlines are meet.
• Actively monitors competitor launches within areas of expertise to understand implications for Unilever products/brands and to generate support for any claim/patent challenges.
• Recognised as having expertise on specific applicator/technology and/or technical testing providing support to internal cross- functional Unilever teams within and outside of the deodorants category and act as link between global and business unit Sites.
• Formulation contact for specific brand/applicator/technology providing information and answering queries to other functions/regions including claims development and support.
• 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, thought leadership and rigour to develop new protocols and characterisation techniques for testing on specific applicator or technology/benefit 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.
• To prepare relevant documentation for laboratory technicians such as batch and gassing sheets, results templates for capturing data in relevant Unilever software. Where appropriate checking and signing off gas sheets.

ALL ABOUT YOU

• 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, solutions.
• Working within and helping in the managing a formulation laboratory with good working knowledge of COSHH and risk assessment.
• Some packaging, processing and scale up knowledge would be an advantage.

SKILLS PROFILE

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.
• Designing new products/technologies/CFD’s to specific briefs that deliver to consumer insights/growth spaces.
• Intellectual property understanding.
• Technical Knowledge of clinical capabilities, supply chain, CTI and fragrance development processes.
• Physical stability assessment capability.
• Claims generation and substantiation.
• Understanding consumer insights and needs.

R&D and General Professional Skills

• Information Management – knowledge capture, reporting.
• Stakeholder management - working with external & internal partners.
• Project Management.
• Strategic implementation.
• Health and Safety regulations and process e.g. COSHH.
• Effective communication.
• Digital skills: data handling, analysis and interpretation of data and competent using Unilever digital tools to gather data and insights.

COMPETENCIES

• Consumer and Customer love.
• Personal Mastery.
• Agility.
• Passion for High Performance.
• Purposeful Impact.
• Talent Catalyst.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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