We are currently seeking an Senior Product Developer to work with our global FMCG client, Unilever, renowned for brands such as Ben & Jerry’s, Knorr, Walls & Marmite, and become an integral part of their fast-paced FMCG environment.

The positions are based at our client's Research & Development facility, at Colworth Science Park, in Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire (MK44), accessible by car. It also houses our client's global centre of excellence in safety and sustainability sciences.

This is a full-time temporary role, Maternity Cover until 31/03/2026 requiring 37.50 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Compensation for this role is competitive, paying up to £46,000 per annum, pro rata, depending upon experience.

The role currently offers a mix of remote and onsite working, subject to adjustment based on business requirements.

JOB PURPOSE

Unilever Ice cream business in Europe is large and highly successful. The EU Ice Cream Research Development and Innovation (RD&I) team is the driving force behind the creation and delivery of benefit-led, innovative ice cream products across our world-renowned global (e.g. Magnum, Carte d’Or, Cornetto, Walls), premium (e.g. B&J, GROM) and regional (e.g. Cremissimo, Ingman, Evga, Cucciolone) brands. The team embrace agile innovation and are fully connected to countries and markets to land global, regional, and local projects in the markets.

The business reaches across all Ice Cream experiences from familiar in-home tubs, pints and mono portions and out of home scooping to global and local classics and kid’s favourites.

In this role you will be the R&D first point of contact in an area of the portfolio. You will lead projects in close partnership across functions (Marketing; Supply Chain; Procurement) as well as key (external) partners and suppliers (e.g. 3PM, Flavour and Ingredients suppliers). You will manage a portfolio of projects across innovation, quality, complexity and cost reduction. And will use your understanding of consumer and customer needs to shape and deliver brilliant, sustainable, product experiences.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Plan, organise and execute a variety of project types as assigned under guidance from line manager, working closely with R&D experts from a variety of fields.
Work closely with marketing teams in global, European and local country teams to define projects scope at start of projects.
Use your creative talents to develop great products.
Lead technical delivery of projects. This includes diverse topics such as product concept development; formulation design; lab and pilot plant prototypes; cost calculation; specifications; quality assessments; legislation compliance checks and claims assessments.
Manage supplier relationships working closely with other functions such as Procurement.
Lead and manage pilot plant and factory trials for prototype/product development.
Write and manage specifications and systems data for the products you work on.
Provide key updates for our Innovation Process Management and other relevant systems
Develop selling stories and supporting Customer Development teams with sell-in meetings.
Provide support and training for more junior members of the team.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

European & local country Marketing Team
Global & European Supply Chain (factories, planning, quality, etc.) and Procurement Teams
Supplier/partner organisations
Technical R&D specialists (CTI, Processing, Packaging, Formulation, Nutritionist, Digital & Data)
Other functional representatives including Finance, Legal, CMI and Quality

ALL ABOUT YOU

Degree level qualification (or equivalent) and / or relevant experience in a technical discipline preferably in food technology or development.
Experience of working cross-functionally and with third parties
Experience of leading projects from brief to delivering in-market
Passion for creative food product design and development
Excellent communication and project management skills
Attention to detail especially with experimentation, data recording and analysis
Time management and priority setting
Health & Safety
European language skills are highly desirable

LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOURS

Purposeful impact
Personal mastery
Consumer love
Agility
Passion for high performance

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Occasional short business-trips within Europe may be required.

Colworth Science Park working environment:

9 miles from Bedford
18 miles from M1
Modern working environment in a beautiful, listed building
Large green outdoor spaces
Shuttle bus is provided from Bedfordshire area to Site.

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Senior Product Developer