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Job Title: Sustainable Packaging Lead Technologist (Virgin Plastic Reduction)
Location: Port Sunlight Research Lab

JOB PURPOSE

Impact Statement

Unilever is committed to creating a Waste-Free World through its ambitious Packaging Strategy – we are taking on the toughest challenges to make our vision a reality. We are re-inventing our product packaging and materials to craft the sustainability journey towards our ambition of a circular, waste-free and net zero future. To achieve these goals, we need completely new packaging materials and technologies that are yet to be discovered. Our industry-leading material science programme strives to change our industry for good, transforming the traditional packaging sector into a next-generation technical industry where entrepreneurial passion meets science-backed innovations.

We are looking for a creative, dedicated and ambitious individual with an innovative mindset who shares our passion for the challenge.

Link to relevant article: https://www.unilever.com/planet-and-society/waste-free-world/rethinking-plastic-packaging/

The One Packaging R&D Centre aims to create a waste free, net zero packaging portfolio through a world class packaging materials capability with strong partnerships and ecosystems. The Centre will enable and accelerate the creation of novel packaging solutions to help meet Unilever’s packaging ambitions and completely revolutionizing our packaging. It is the place where future scientific leaders of the business are created. We are a high-performing, diverse and inclusive team of dynamic entrepreneurial people with a strong scientific background, courage and curiosity, and passion for sustainability and delivery that will have a positive impact on the planet.

Lead the technical programme to support the Less Plastics and Net Carbon Zero agenda for packaging, developing new approaches to optimise plastic, developing new low carbon/renewable feedstocks, and supporting to land technologies in our biggest brands, to deliver Unilever’s Virgin Plastic Reduction and Net Zero commitments.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the ‘Less Plastics’ capability programme through to conversion; including identifying new materials, technologies or processing routes to reduce plastic, such as Chemical Foaming, Physical Foaming, and Ultra-lightweighting Technologies.
• Lead the ‘Net Zero Packaging’ capability programme through to conversion; identifying and assessing new materials, technologies or processing routes to reduce the GHG/carbon footprint of Unilever’s packaging portfolio, including Renewable Feedstocks, Recycled Plastics, Carbon Capture Technology and more.
• Develop a strategy, agreed definitions and standards for Carbon Positive approaches, together with Unilever’s five Business Groups (BGs), key brands, and SEAC.
• Build a technology funnel to support BGs innovation roadmaps, focused on reducing plastic and GHG footprint.
• Engage and build ecosystems along the E2E materials value chain, to build joint programmes with key partners.
• Lead the development of best practice guidelines, including standardised ways of working, approval processes, specifications and reporting.

ALL ABOUT YOU

We are looking for someone that shares our passion for innovation, science, sustainability, and has the drive to take our packaging portfolio to the next level. You will be part of a multi-disciplinary project team ethos where everybody contributes to achieving the same goal.

Candidate Profile

• You will lead a technical team and sit within our leadership team to help create & deliver our strategic packaging programme for the future.
• Must be creative, highly passionate, willing to think big and inspire both the team and our stakeholders and internal customers.
• Must be flexible and agile, operate comfortably with uncertainty, embracing transformational change, and challenging the status quo.
• Results-driven leader with a strong people-oriented, delivering value-added technologies with high business impact while fostering talent development.
• Able to positively influence senior stakeholders, in all key functions of the business.
• Good decision-making and delivering effectively to deadlines.
• Committed to continually develop your scientific and competency skills.

Technical Qualifications and Experience

• Expertise in plastics materials and applications, through to conversion technologies
• Experience in leading external value chain partners & building ecosystems
• Good knowledge of next generation feedstock and recycled plastic technologies and conversion
• Detailed understanding of lifecycle assessment and its implications
• Strong awareness of commercials for packaging
• Understand of the requirements for successful technology transfer
• Waste management understanding
• Ability to work across time zones and in multicultural setting

Standards of Leadership

Growth mindset

Passion for High Performance

Agility

Business Acumen

Personal Mastery

NOTES

About Unilever

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 Dove, Tresemme, Lynx, Lifebuoy, Shea Moisture, Persil, Domestos, Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum, Marmite, The Vegetarian Butcher, Graze and Pot Noodle.

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’

What We Offer

Not only do we offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, we also offer an annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.

Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We are a key advocate of wellbeing and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace 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 want to push boundaries, and have the flexibility needed to keep adapting in an ever-changing, more dynamic world. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.

As part of your hiring journey, we are happy to support requests for reasonable adjustments, to improve your recruitment experience.

To find out more, including more information about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here.

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 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!