Ingredient Specialist & PQS Support Tech

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

Job Title:Ingredient Specialist & PQS support tech

Location: Port Sunlight

Work-Level: WL1 RH3

JOB PURPOSE

Unilever is a global leader in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods industry, renowned for its powerful brands such as Dove, Axe, Magnum, Lipton, Vaseline, Suave, and Ben & Jerry’s. We develop products that enhance and improve people's lives today while also addressing the evolving environmental challenges of tomorrow, with the goal of making sustainable living a common practice. Unilever is dedicated to bringing purpose, joy, and delightful experiences to both consumers and customers.

The Beauty and Wellbeing Unilever Business Group is a dynamic and innovative segment focused on enhancing the physical appearance and overall wellness of clients. This group is dedicated to developing and delivering high-quality Hair and Skin Care products that cater to diverse consumer needs.  Beauty and Wellbeing (B&W) Business Group is a €13 Billion division in Unilever, with a strong portfolio of brands including Dove, Sunsilk, Tresemme, Ponds, Vaseline in more than 120 countries.  The success of our products across so many different markets and consumer needs is underpinned by the quality of the materials (ingredients) we use.

We are looking for an Ingredient Specification Specialist and PQS support technician who will be responsible for creating and maintaining detailed specifications for all raw materials used in production. This role ensures that ingredients used in formulations conform to standard protocols for stability and quality. As a Specialist, you will work within cross-functional teams to deliver consistently high-quality products.

Key interfaces for this role include the B&W Category R&D Formulation team, Cross Business Group Specification Management teams, Digital R&D, Global Quality, Supply Chain Procurement, Regulatory Affairs, Chemical Suppliers, and 3P Measurement Laboratories. These interfaces are essential for ensuring effective collaboration and communication across various departments and external partners, facilitating the successful development and management of raw material specifications.

The role also encompasses laboratory-based work to ensure that ingredients used in formulations meet quality and stability standards over the product lifecycle. You will play a vital role in maintaining product quality, driving innovation, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

This global role is part of the B&W R&D organization and is key to the successful delivery of Future Fit Ingredient Specifications. It is a hybrid role, combining office-based and laboratory analyses, situated in the Port Sunlight R&D facility in the UK.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and Maintain Specifications: Create and maintain detailed specifications for all raw materials used in production. This includes biological, chemical, and physical characteristics, as well as additives and processing aids
• Analytical Test Method Specifications : Accountable for reviewing analytical methods (with internal analytical experts and with Chemical Suppliers) for Ingredients and primary contact for reviewing specification content, compliance and quality.
• Quality Assurance: Ensure that all raw materials comply with safety standards, including shelf-life, storage conditions, allergens, and ingredients. Conduct regular reviews and updates of specifications to ensure accuracy and compliance
• Quality Measurements: Perform high-quality measurements using the most reliable techniques to ensure products are stable.
• Innovation and Capability Projects: Contribute to all innovation and capability projects across Hair global and EU regional teams as well as packaging adhering to routine stability measurement protocols as well as collaborating with formulators to define new measurement techniques.
• Global Hair alternative supplier approval project support: Working in a team to review new ingredient suppliers to comply to ingredient specifications.
• Documentation and Record Keeping: Maintain accurate records of all raw material specifications, including electronic and printed copies. Ensure that specifications are up-to-date and archived appropriately.
• Specifications Project Lifecycle Management (PLM) Power User: Expert SAP PLM Super User and practitioner (training to be provided).

ALL ABOUT YOU

• Educational Background: A strong degree in Chemistry with Organic Chemistry specialisation.  Proven capability of Analytical Chemistry.
• Experience: Previous experience in raw material specification management, quality assurance, or a related role in the Cosmetic Chemistry/formulation field.  It would be beneficial to have practical experience/understanding of Industrial Processes/chemistries of Cosmetic Ingredient manufacture and/or experience of Product Formulation Design or previous ingredient specification management.
• Skills: Strong attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and proficiency in IT programmes such as Excel, Word, and Outlook.

YOUR PERSONAL QUALITIES

• Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyse and interpret complex data related to raw materials.
• Collaboration: Strong ability to work collaboratively with suppliers and internal teams.
• Organisational Skills: Excellent organisational skills to manage and maintain detailed records and documentation.
• Pro-active mind-set : Keen to demonstrate delivery and seek pragmatic solutions with an ability to set priorities and to work to tight deadlines

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 Kyron Dias on Kyron.Dias@unilever.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 embrace diversity in our workforce. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We are also more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to be present your best self. To find out more, including about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (unilever.com).

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.