Local Cluster Design R&D Assistant Manager

Job description

Job Title: R&D Assistant Manager, Home Care, UK and Ireland
Salary: £31,600 - £39,500 dependent on experience
Location: Leatherhead
Function: Research & Development, Cluster Design
Terms: Local
Scope: Local
Travel: 5% Travel

Main Purpose of the role:

Home Care is a key strategic area for Unilever globally. Unilever is a highly competitive and innovative company with strong local and global brand positions, with brands such as Persil, Comfort, Surf, Domestos and Cif being extremely important brands in the UK & Ireland Home Care portfolio. The region has a specific Supply Chain and 3P network which require strong support from R&D. The Local R&D Assistant Manager works closely and seamlessly with our local, regional and global R&D colleagues and x-functional business partners located around the world.

Responsibility for implementing local R&D elements of the total Home Care portfolio and programme into the UK and Irish markets. Expert in technical matters and able to provide high quality technical and R&D support. Responsible for providing input and insights to enable the flawless implementation of innovations and renovations.

Key Responsibilities:

The R&D Assistant Manager works with x-functional business partners to ensure full R&D support of all local activities and the successful implementation of all projects, including innovations and renovations into the local market. Specifically:

Responsibility for executing compliance requirements for new or relaunched products according to mandatory Unilever policies & relevant legislation. Responsible for artwork approval, product registrations and documentation for authority compliance according to Unilever policies and applicable legislation.
Supports the implementation of product launches including innovation and renovation projects for allocated categories and/or brands in the UK and Ireland with technical excellence and rigour.
Influences and educates our customers, consumers and business partners on our products and technologies. Translates technical product benefits and technologies into consumer language and presents in an engaging way to influence customer and consumer purchasing decisions. Development & execution of customer and consumer oriented technical communication and supports PR and media activities as required.
Works with R&D, Regulatory, Legal and Brand teams to provide expert advice on claims and communication strategies and provides input into risk assessments.
Prepares technical claim substantiation dossiers to ensure adverts are approved for airing.
Helps to direct the technical innovation agenda by identifying new technologies, ideas and claim areas via thorough market / competitor investigations using a variety of tools.
Contributes with technical/product knowledge in issues/crisis management and closely collaborates with the Quality Assurance teams and relevant business partners, as required.
Actively builds and maintains good working partnerships with all x-functional business partners.


Key Skills Required:

· Project management
· Excellent communication and networking skills
· High level of attention to detail
· Highly organised
· Structured, systematic and logical
· Time management
· Ability to gather technical information from different sources and translate into customer/consumer relevant language
· Ability to work alone and as part of a team
· Outstanding presentation skills and creativity, with an ability to translate complex science into consumer language
· Ability to work on multiple projects, in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with changing priorities.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

· Degree in technical, natural science or related fields.
· Proven work experience in a technical, ideally R&D environment.
· Preferably candidates should have experience in the Home or Personal Care industry or FMCG.
· Willingness to travel within the UK and Europe if needed (c.5%).

COMPANY OVERVIEW
Unilever is a global Fast-Moving Consumer Goods company in the UK and Ireland. We are already on target to achieve our huge ambition to double the size of our business globally whilst reducing our environmental impact. We are growing our business and also doing what is right for our consumers, community and environment. We are developing brands for people's lives today and for the changing environment tomorrow - making sustainable living commonplace.

Working at Unilever means that you get to take part in this exciting journey and work with amazing people who are really passionate about our large portfolio of famous brands. We want to improve billions of lives and you too can join us in making a sustainable difference.

Standards of Leadership:
· Bias for Action
· Building Talent and Teams
· Growth Mindset
· Consumer and Customer Focus
· Accountability & Responsibility

Please note: As part of the job application, you will be asked to complete a brief online application form. Completion of the form is required in order to be considered. Please allow yourself enough time to complete the application form as when filled out partially or not at all it may adversely affect the progress of your application. Please be aware that you will have to complete the form at once as you will be unable to return to it later.

How to Apply
Find out what it's like to work here by clicking on this link https://www.unilever.co.uk/careers/professionals/working-here/

Or to apply now, click on “Apply to this job”. All candidate applications are reviewed in accordance with the criteria outlined for the job role. Please note that the closing date for the receipt of applications is Monday 3 rd December 2018.