Product Developer – PL JV

Please Note: The deadline for applying is 23.59 the day before the job posting end date.

Job Title: Product Developer – PL JV

Business Function: R&D

Location: Colworth Science Park

Work-Level: 1C

JOB PURPOSE

Pepsi Lipton is a joint venture between Unilever and PepsiCo operating in the ready-to-drink Tea segment globally with three well-established brands Lipton, Brisk and Pure Leaf and more recent acquisitions such as Tazo and T2. Our global business is worth 3.0 billion USD today, growing volume at the rate of 4-5% and with a double digit increase in net revenues. We operate across complex and diverse regions spanning Western Europe to Australia and New Zealand with markets at different stages of development, with different consumer habits and different routes to market via a matrix of franchise, company-owned and third-party manufacturing operating models in which innovation delivery is key enable to accelerate growth.

We have an established global R&D function based in two centres: Colworth UK, and Valhalla US. The centre at Colworth is the primary `hub’ from where the R&D team is focused on the European and AMEA businesses, whilst also supporting global programmes. Colworth is also our lead centre for tea expertise, bringing this to our product and process development to deliver products across our platforms to meet a wide range of consumer benefits and needs.

A role in Pepsi Lipton is a unique experience in which to develop and add value to your career. Pepsi Lipton, although a Joint Venture between Unilever and PepsiCo, operates as a company and has its own Board of Directors. Whilst we have the full backing and support of our two parent companies, our entrepreneurial set up gives us real autonomy. Our roles are broad, our responsibilities big and our experiences even bigger. We have high visibility and great exposure – to senior leadership and to talented colleagues all over the world. It means we need to be impactful, smart influencers. In order to support our ambitious growth agenda, we are looking for a Product Developer to join our team in Colworth UK.

To learn more, visit www.liptonicedtea.com

RESPONSIBILITIES

The job holder (JH) will be a member of cross functional PLI project team (including PLI Supply Chain and Unilever Marketing and Pepsi International Marketing) providing Product Development capability across the Unilever owned RTD brand portfolio. In this role they will be responsible for owning and delivering product development activities within an agreed project(s) with an onus on practical based activities in our food laboratory or pilot plant facility including:

• Designing and carrying out the practical & lab-based work program linked to assigned projects and activities
• Leading ingredient sourcing including 1ST Point of contact with relevant supplier(s), link in with parent company Team’s to drive quality integration into systems and processes. This includes ingredient documentation, ingredient samples, ingredient ordering & ingredient specification builds
• Generation of all prototypes to support project requirements including liaison with pilot plant for production of larger scale quantities & provision of key documentation & non-standard ingredient ordering for Pilot Plant scheduling
• Supporting any scale up trial preparation & execution required to confirm viability
• Ownership for relevant prototype manufacture for consumer tests and general tastings
• Support with analytical activities as required
• Lead logistics of prototype shipments to consumer test locations, stakeholders, team members event locations etc.
• Responsible for ensuring selected formulations are submitted for relevant product performance studies. Minute sessions, collate results & present back
• Lead the provision of all relevant product related documentation linked to assigned project or requests
• Initiating and maintaining formal e-log book, trial reports, experimental write ups, handover documents and presentation cascades as required to capture key technical updates
• Ownership of functional specification delivery & utilization of digital tools to ensure technical output for artwork and labelling can be delivered
• Link in with Regulatory and local country team partners where relevant to ensure prototype development and ingredient selection complies with local requirements
• Support of consumer and business facing documentation linked to Product/Prototype ownership where required
• Be the point of contact for product and ingredient related queries for formulations developed
• Support wider technical activities and broader PLI team requirements where required
• Have awareness of competitor landscape, commercial produces
• Liaise with parent company groups to support any knowledge build or understanding
• Adhere to safety and regulatory aspects throughout activities performed including ensuring competent training & operation of relevant PLI related equipment & processes

Ensure compliance with all relevant Code of Business Principles, site, and company policies.

Key Interfaces

• R&D Product Development Team
• R&D Create/Expertise Senior Manager
• R&D EU Commercialise Manager
• Regional Marketing Teams
• PLI SC & Pilot plant Team
• Regional SC & Operations Team
• 3rd party contacts and supplier partners
• CTI partner
• Parent company link ins (SEAC/Regulatory)

ALL ABOUT YOU

Key Skills

• Passion to work in a Practical & lab- based setting
• Good knowledge & skill set of product development
• Creativity & flair with ability to innovate and translate product brief into winning launches
• Strong communication
• Strong organisational skills
• Good Time management skills
• An ability to flex and multi-task

Relevant Experience

• Degree (or equivalent) in Food Science, Chemical Science or Engineering with proven experience in FMCG in fields related to product or process development/ manufacturing in Foods or Beverages
• Foundation training/Qualification in food hygiene

Leadership Behaviours

• Purpose & Service
• Personal Mastery
• Agility
• Business Acumen
• Talent Catalyst
• Consumer Love

Travel Requirements

Occasional short business-trips within Europe may be required (1-3 trips per year)

NOTES

Please apply via this portal as e-mail applications may not be processed and include your Future Fit Plan if possible.

By applying for this vacancy, you are confirming that you have made your Line Manager aware of your application and that you are at a point in your career with Unilever where it is appropriate for you to be applying for other positions.   

Should you require additional information or reasonable adjustments to allow you to present your best self during this process, please contact your Talent Partner Juli Molina on Juli.Molina@unilevrr.com

What we offer

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 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.

Relocation to the UK

Please be aware if you are applying for this role from outside the UK, if successful, your application will be treated as a self-initiated Change Location Outside of Country (CLOC) transfer. This means any relocation costs must be self-funded with the potential to reclaim some specific pre-approved expenses up to £5,000. Please speak to your Talent Partner if you have any questions.