R&d Associate, Homecare

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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.

We are looking to hire an R&D Associate, Clean Future and Operations in our Home Care team based in Mumbai:
Role Purpose:
With an inspiring business ambition, we are looking for a passionate, motivated, and energetic R&D professional who is ready to work on Unilever’s biggest brands across Homecare. We are looking for a team player, who works proactive and independent in a multi-functional, multi-cultural environment and is ambitious to deliver the best quality.

Business context
- HC SA category has consistent growth in past couple of years.
- Category has decided to accelerate this growth as part of its “Perform and Transform” strategy.
- Major emphasis has been laid in the space of upgradation to premium segment, new format launches, Clean Future and digital transformation.
- Scope and complexity of these projects is high and there is significant existing deploy workload on entire HC portfolio.

Job description:

- Innovation, 5S and new format development
- Work stream leader for innovation projects for South Asia HC projects
- Establish initial process feasibility (pilot scale) and establish main plant feasibility based on pilot scale learnings.
- Suggest modifications based on technical learning’s and understanding.
- Develop or make batches using different technology approach.
- Track shelf-life studies for projects and carry out the storage studies adhering to the standard protocols.
- Assess and interpret data obtained during sample storage.
- Defining the RM and FG specification for the innovation and VIP projects
- Independent lead for execution of consumer testing, logistics management and project team updates
- Part of innovation network team and ensuring OTIF delivery in landing the projects
- Support CTI/Packaging sample preparation work.
- Approval & development of local supplier base for global specifications
- Strategy and Operation
- You will be responsible for driving the strategy and operation’s agenda for HC Asia R&D.
- Prepare dashboards, decks and monitor the progress on in year and pipeline of product superiority and 5S projects.
- Digitalize the various dashboards into real time data so that it can be easily monitored and tracked.
- Partner with Finance and R&D Global Operations team to lead the end -to
- end approach to R&D budget management including budget setting, dynamic tracking and re-prioritisation.
- Drive the agenda for the HC SA BU fortnightly huddles.
- Clean Future
- Work with cross functional teams in Science & Technology, product design, brand, supply chain and procurement teams across Homecare
- Perform carbon footprint calculation for entire product portfolio across its LCA for India and then SA.
- Work with digital and S&T teams to prepare dashboard for carbon footprint data
- Keep a track of Clean Future metric for key pillars like NDPE, plastics and carbon footprint for SA.

About you
- You are a natural problem solver: The ability and passion to problem solve is essential
- You’ve got a growth mindset: A desire to grow.
- You love to win and have fun doing it: A passion for success is a must with attention. Detail and results orientated and able to manage multiple projects.
- You have a special ability to connect with people: You can connect people from different functions and have a great ability to talk about technical and program challenges in an easy engaging way. Ability to work in cross functional/cross-cultural team and with partner suppliers.
- Clear thinking; concise communications to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders
- Great collaborator with good communication & presentation skills
- A quick learner who is not afraid to take the initiative and be proactive to get things done.
- Stakeholder interface with HC R&D BG and S&T Director, SEAC, Regulatory teams
- Partnering with Regional Brand Development & Local Brand Building teams
- Supply Chain, Supply Management & CQA
- Interface with suppliers & external agencies, labs, technical institutes & experts
- Other R&D interface: CTI, appraisal, packaging, processing

Qualifications & Experience
- Minimum Qualification - BE Chemical Engineering / B.Tech. Chemical Engineering/ Graduation in surfactants/environmental science
- Minimum 2-3 years’ experience in R&D (HPC)
- Prior experience in - Product Development / Technology Development / process engineering
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