Senior R&D Associate - CTI

Job description

About Unilever
Be part of the world’s most successful, purpose-led business. Work with brands that are well-loved around the world, that strive to improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us every day. Every day, nine out of ten Indian households use our products to feel good, look good and get more out of life – giving us a unique opportunity to build a brighter future. We promote innovation, big and small, to make our business win and grow; and we believe in business as a force for good. Our brilliant business leaders and colleagues provide mentorship and inspiration, so you can be at your best.

At HUL, we believe that every individual irrespective of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, nationality, caste, disability or marital status can bring their purpose to life. So apply to us, to unleash your curiosity, challenge ideas and disrupt processes; use your energy to make the world a better place. As you work to make a real impact on the business and the world, we’ll work to help you become a better you!

The Home Care category strives to bring delightful products across fabric cleaning, fabric enhancers and home and hygiene to 1 billion consumers across the world.

Consumer technical Insight (CTI) is a strategic Capability for Unilever Research & Development (R&D). Its main remit is to generate and translate product insights into innovation and growth opportunities for the business across several expertise areas (product qualitative research, product testing/quantitative research, claims and demonstrations, sensory evaluation, laboratory testing)

We are looking to hire a Senior Associate- R&D CTI (Sensory and Consumer Insight) in our Home Care team based in Mumbai.

Job Description:

·  The R&D Consumer & Technical Insights team is responsible for providing consumer direction and leadership in product design to the R&D teams (New Product Development, Product optimization & Value Engineering, Innovation, Future Formats)
·  This global role is based in Mumbai (India), supporting the Fabric Cleaning business globally, reporting to Manger CTI. Fabric Cleaning rely on functional but also emotional and sensory claims; with truly global brands (OMO, Comfort, Radiant, Surf)
·  The general purpose of the job is to work in a multi-disciplinary business environment, providing critical link between the Global unit and Regional colleagues around the globe, ensuring the delivery of high- quality evaluation and insights to support our Global Innovation and 5S Portfolio across Global Fabrics Cleaning Brands
·  The role will involve doing Consumer evaluation and Sensory testing for Global R&D, Fabric Cleaning Category based in Mumbai- this would include understanding business requirements, designing consumer & Sensory tests, reporting results, and managing stakeholders. The study types can include both qualitative and quantitative testing which will span all types of consumer testing done by CTI such as Product testing, Pack testing, Claims testing etc

Main Accountabilities :

·  Understanding business needs and crafting the Consumer and Sensory testing plans to help the business in achieving these objectives.
·  Independently manage and co-ordinate consumer and Sensory studies from end to end to support project networks.
·  Be proficient in designing the brief, getting proposals from the agency, commissioning the study, monitoring progress, data analysis and interpretation and sharing of the results on time.
·  Working with project team, global counterparts, Consumer Market Insight team & agencies to ensure seamless delivery on the project.
·  Aligning with all CI teams to have a single viewpoint on the Consumer and Sensory testing plans as well as interpretation of the results.
·  Understand and Interpret Sensory Panel data to help the team make the right choices.
·   Leading and Managing day to day activity of Sensory activities at Sensory facility.
·  Worked on Applications to design the Sensory Sessions, Like FIZZ, Compusense.
·  Have an in depth understanding of consumers (their habits and attitudes, drivers), category, brands, and competitive environment to generate, develop and support insights for superior mixes.
·  Help in the analysis of trends, consumer needs, new technology impact on consumers, and consumer/market/product insights to identify new opportunities for the business.
·  Identify, design, and implement relevant consumer research processes, techniques, and methods to enhance new product development capability (speed, quality, accuracy, efficiency.

Key interfaces :

Fellow R&D Associates, global teams, Project team, Technical Project Leader, Marketing, CMI, Cluster CTI teams

Relevant Experience :

·  Preferred Level of Education: Minimum Masters
·  Area of Specialization: Masters in / Technology/ Statistics/Economics OR master’s in business administration with bachelor’s in economics/Statistics/Life Science / any other discipline Any additional certification in Consumer Research/Consumer Behavior will be preferred.

Relevant experience:

·  3 to 5 years (in agency, FMCG or related business)
·  Worked on both qualitative and quantitative research with larger focus on the later
·  Handled and Managed Sensory Panel.
·  Recruited or been part of Sensory Panel Recruitment.
·  Key Skills (Functional/General)
·  Consumer orientation
·  Good communication skills (verbal/written/presentation)
·  Excellent influencing skills
·  Excellent interpersonal skills and a team player
·  Attention to detail and good analytical power.
·  Aptitude for problem solving.
·  Proven Project management skills
·  Drive, energy to make a real contribution.
·  Pro-active and enthusiastic approach