R&D Analytical Raw Material Coordinator

Job description

Job Title: R&D Analytical Raw Material Coordinator
Salary: £23,670 to £29,580
Benefits: Performance Bonus, BUPA, Career Average Plan Pension, Share Scheme + Site Benefits
Location: Leeds Factory
Travel: 5%

The Deodorant category has had many years of consecutive double digit growth, based, in part, on fabulously innovative and consumer preferred products across three global brands: Rexona, Axe and Dove. Working on new product development projects, you will deliver consumer preferred innovations for Unilever globally and ensure that Unilever's Deodorant category is industry leading.
The Global Analytical team works as an integrated partner with the Global Formulation Design team in providing analytical expertise to support the category innovation program. You will assist in delivering fast and flawless innovations to market, through the consistent application of appropriate technical rigour and scientific analysis. The scope of the team's work ranges from new core product designs, method development, new raw material qualification, providing expert advice for challenges, patents and legislative issues, resolving material quality issues and acting as a focal point for supplier material questions and queries.
An opportunity has arisen to work in the Deodorants Research and Development joining our Analytical team. We are seeking a new team members with a passion for analytical chemistry and the development of Personal Care products. You should demonstrate a strong analytical skills set, a track record of working effectively in a lively team environment with strong communication skills and excellent attention to detail. The successful candidate will be proactive and have an aptitude for continuous improvement.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting to the R&D Analytical Manager the role focuses on leading the approval of new raw materials for use in formulated products working with the Analytical, Specification teams, Procurement and External Suppliers.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Accountable for delivery of Deodorant Raw Material (RM) qualifications (Innovation/Value Improvement (VIP)/Security of Supply (SOS))
• Co-ordination of regional led RM qualifications
• Interaction with internal teams (quality/hygiene /safety /regulatory teams) to resolve and/or gain clarity on material issues.
• Disseminate large amounts of technical information to extract key facts, identify gaps and potential issues. Ensuring that all quality and analytical technical issues have been addressed.
• Working on a number of material qualifications simultaneously.
• Approx. 10-30% of the role would be lab based, post training period in deodorant specifics.

Accountabilities

1. Accountable for delivery of raw material qualifications. Manages the day to day work program of the RM team working closely with Lab Leader and advising the Analytical Manager. Defining priorities and facilitating testing with wider analytical team and external agencies as required.
2. Produce qualification reports reviews through documentation transfer, analyse/interpret technical supplier data, ensuring compliance with Unilever safety and quality requirements, and policies. Clarify and resolve issues. Ensure material information is stored correctly for future reference.
3. Finalises and circulates raw material qualification reports. Ensuring compliance with supplier and Unilever specifications and policies.
4. Key contact for RM issues across regions
5. Key analytical contact for at least one major innovation or capability project team.
6. Attends and input into technical supplier/project/VIP/SOS meetings.
7. Key contact with external suppliers - facilitating prompt exchange of information/technical documentation. Discuss and resolve technical issues.
8. Works with Analytical Manager to define the RM team's strategy and capability build programmes. Responsible for leading defined sections of the analytical overall strategy, aligning with R&D Strategy. Leads and creates the RM strategy and continuous improvement plans. Supports elements of the overall analytical ‘High Performing Team' ambition.
9. Supports analytical manager and lab leader in training and development of the analytical team.
10. Co-ordinates the sharing/communication of material information to the specification team to instigate creation/update of material specifications.
11. Key contact for the migration of current local analytical methods to Unilever Methods of Analysis (UMA) for publication on the Specification database-Interspec. Evaluates cross category new and updated UMA methods against recommended harmonised global and best practice guidelines.
12. Identify and drive ways to increase the agility and delivery of the team eg co-ordination of routine samples for 3rd party analysis.

Training in the specifics of the analytical chemistry of deodorants will be provided.


ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Graduate calibre with a background in chemistry, in particular analytical chemistry

Relevant Experience

• Experience of working in FMCG or R&D environment is desirable.
• Experience of people management, training and motivation
• Knowledge of sample preparation, derivatisation procedures, method development and sample matrix effects
• Experience in handling hazardous chemicals, knowledge of incompatibilities, reaction instabilities.
• Previous experience in analysing raw materials and HPC products is desirable.

REQUIRED LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOURS

• Accountability & Responsibility
• Growth Mindset
• Consumer and Customer Focus
• Bias for Action

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.

HOW TO APPLY

Hear stories from our Unilever Makers and understand how you can start your own Unilever career at: http://www.unilever.co.uk/careers-jobs/professionals/.

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 22nd of February, 2016 .

Candidates who have applied online can track their application through the candidate tracking link or, if you have any additional queries, you may contact the Recruitment hotline number on 0800 0284390.