Senior Packaging Technologist

Job Title: Senior Packaging Technologist

Location: Colworth Science Park

Work-Level: 1D

JOB PURPOSE

Packaging is a critical function within Unilever. The business spend on packaging exceeds €5.5bn and we partner with the world's leading packaging suppliers. Our Compass vision cannot be achieved without packaging innovation and technology that will drive growth and, at the same, halve our environmental impact.

Ice Cream Category will play a major role in meeting our Compass growth and sustainability ambition. Unilever is world leader in Ice Cream category which include brands like Magnum, Wall's, Cornetto and Ben & Jerry's.

Delivering superior innovations that are holistically designed for global rollout will be critical for the Refreshment category success. Packaging plays a prominent role in these innovation plans and is a key capability to drive competitive advantage. Not only does it fulfil a very important functional role, to contain, protect and inform, but also as the first "touchpoint" with the consumer, it must engage the consumer, reflecting the brand proposition, and delivering a delightful experience.

With the renewed focus on plastics, rethink on packaging formats, material used in Ice Cream is required to deliver our plastic agenda of less or no plastic usage in Ice Cream packaging.

New channels, Direct to Consumer, is critical to business growth. Delivering superior innovations that are holistically designed for specific channel is important so that it only fulfil a very important functional role but also delivers a delightful experience.

The job holder will work closely with other development functions, Brand Development, supply chain, procurement, planning, packaging converters, mould makers, and machine manufacturers.

MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• The job holder will have responsibility for specific Ice Cream brands (Walls, Magnum, B&J, Carte D'or) supporting the Global Packaging manager in delivering overall innovation programme, while also looking longer term at the packaging needs for that brand and with BD, driving that forward through longer term Brand Packaging roadmaps.
• The job holder will be responsible to work closely with packaging manager in delivering the sustainability category agenda around Sustainability, delivering rethink projects to reduce the use of plastics.
• The job holder will be responsible to deliver category packaging target including creating a 3-year pipeline of savings ideas.
• This position will interface with Brand Development, Supply Chain, Procurement, Product development, Processing, CTI, CMI, and Packaging Suppliers, in order to drive consumer focused innovative and optimised packaging solutions.

• Translate consumer insights, technical requirements and business needs into packaging solutions.
• Lead / support packaging development from brief definition through to proving manufacture at scale on innovation, renovation and operational (cost savings, quality, complexity reduction) projects, on time in full, by following best practice in packaging.
• Deliver packaging which not only meets the required quality and technical standards, but also delights the consumer and builds brand love, through using Unilever's Packaging Excellence best practices.
• Liaise with packaging convertors and material Suppliers in the development of packaging components.
• To test and validate the technical specification of packaging components.
• Identify and implement potential cost saving activities across the category packaging portfolio.
• 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.

• People with the right attitude, mindset and competencies.
• Enthusiasm and passion for what packaging, innovation and consumer experience can unlock for our brands, business and planet.
• Technical education - in an engineering, science or design subject.

• Working knowledge of a range of packaging materials and technologies (i.e. Rigid Plastics, Flexible, Paper & paperboard)
• Project management and organising experience
• Quick learner, not afraid to take the initiative and be proactive to get things done
• Relevant years of experience in an FMCG company