Senior Packaging Technologist

at  Unilever

UNILEVER IN THE NETHERLANDS IS LOOKING FOR A SENIOR PACKAGING TECHNOLOGIST

Location: Hive, Wageningen – the Netherlands
Full-time
Local conditions apply
Salary: 44-64 K gross per year depending on background and experience.
For the recruitment of this position, we would like to emphasize that local conditions apply to the position and for this vacancy in principle we will first consider candidates based in the Netherlands. If you are based outside of the Netherlands and you are interested to apply, please feel free to do so but we can only take your application on if a decision is made to also recruit outside of the Netherlands.

SKILLS YOU SHOULD HAVE

• Enterprising behaviour
• Leading others
• Goal orientation
• Influencing others
• Analytical ability
• Team commitment
• Ideally, working knowledge of the key materials in Nutrition categories (rigid plastics, plastic/paper flexibles and cups)
• Working knowledge in “Design Of Experiments”
• Project management experience, and awareness of the “One Unilever Packaging Process” (1UPP)
• Educated in packaging technology or a related technical discipline. Preferably a Science or Engineering degree
• Presenting solutions to stakeholders and gaining endorsement
• Excellent problem definition and problem-solving skills

EXPERIENCE YOU SHOULD HAVE?

• Ideally, 3 years packaging experience in an FMCG company
• Experience in using measurement and testing equipment
• Experience collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams in the development of high impact innovative solutions

EXCITED?

Join Unilever and our team! To apply, you must do so online. Please do not forget to upload your CV and a motivation letter. Your application will be reviewed against our requirements and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date to provide you with an update on the status of your application.
Looking forward to meeting you!
Please note this is a Direct Search led by Unilever. Applications from agencies will not be accepted, nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, parenthood, pregnancy or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against.
By highlighting the gender diversity at the workplace, Unilever encourages women equally men to apply. If you look for a job after a long career break or after any type of leave, do not hesitate to apply.
Please save a copy of this vacancy for personal use as it will disappear from the website after closing of the role.

JOB PURPOSE

Unilever recognises Packaging as an important part of the product mix. Not only does it fulfil an important functional role, to contain, protect and inform, but also as the first “touchpoint” with the consumer, it must engage the consumer, reflecting the brand proposition, and delivering a delightful experience.
To ensure the robustness and technical performance of new sustainable packaging before it is placed on the marketplace involves both design and technical innovation in packaging.
The Senior Packaging Technologist leads the projects of structural packaging technologies for Nutrition, based on the overall problem definition by consumer insights and market/business requirements. Where the job holder modifies or develop packaging technologies, which sometimes require an exploratory character.
The job holder joins multifunctional project teams as packaging workstream leader to deliver the packaging activities, which also includes collaborative troubleshooting of complex packaging processes or supporting factories in the implementation of new packaging technology.
This position will interface with Marketing, Supply Chain, Procurement, Product development, Processing, CTI, and external with institutes and packaging suppliers, to drive consumer focused innovative and optimised sustainable packaging solutions.
In addition to programme delivery, the job holder will be required to lead and/or contribute to the building of packaging capability of the packaging team, helping to improve the technical expertise in the team, the way of working with other functions, and the efficiency and effectiveness of the team.

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE?

• Assignment on roughly defined projects to assist the Packaging Manager with the coordination of packaging development projects or lead assigned projects as packaging TPL or workstream leader, ensuring packaging is “fit for purpose” compatible with SC, Formulation, Unilever Policy, Consumer and Brand needs and legislation, by:
• Technical analysis of new packaging designs and provision of feedback to project teams with respect to design viability. Also identify viable solutions to resolve technical problems, minimizing changes to the design intent.
• Identify and implement potential cost saving activities across the category packaging portfolio.
• Prepare and develop supplier technical briefs where required, collaborating closely with suppliers.
• Drawing up project or research plans, underpinning and argumentation of choices made. The project plan can include laboratory tests (at Unilever, at our convertors, and at 3rd party labs), factory trials, and distribution trials.
• Assessing the assignment and determining what information and resources are necessary and making proposals or recommendations to the project team and external after consolidation.
• Checking relevant packaging regulations and giving overview of findings.
• Ensuring execution by manage assigned primary & secondary packaging projects, with minimal guidance, allocating work between project employees as cross functional project team and supply partners ensuring packaging is “fit for purpose” to meet the packaging brief, and delivered on time, in full.
• (Parts of) Development project carried out in accordance with the “One Unilever Packaging Process” (1UPP) and identifies unusual aspects during the execution of the project and implementing changes.
• Testing packaging and making recommendations for adjustments. Interpreting own project or research and that of others.
• Planning work for the long term, adapting work quickly, flexible, and efficiently in the event of unexpected circumstances. Making recommendations for follow-up actions within framework of own project/research/-design.
• Presenting and explaining results, also without consultation to stake holders.
• Drawing up final technical report on project data, test results and technical specifications.
• Advising factory by evaluation and qualification of packaging components using both established protocols, and where appropriate designing new ones.
• Maintaining contacts and consulting with unit members of factories, R&D, Marketing, Supply Chain and external suppliers and institutes.
• To comply with the Unilever Code of Business Principles and all SHE and QA policies, including the support of product claims, risk management and environmental awareness.

Unilever is the place where you can be yourself and bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. We offer an exciting & dynamic work environment where you can make things happen. Furthermore, we offer some great reward and benefits!

• Attractive total remuneration package; excellent company pension, bonus, share scheme.
• Flexible cross-disciplinary career opportunities and a wealth of training opportunities & wellbeing resources whenever and wherever.
• Plenty of company-paid holidays to further ensure your work-life balance is maintained.
• We encourage an inclusive culture, which comes to life with interchangeable public holidays, paid paternity leave of 6 weeks and our transgender policy.
• Informal culture and being the first one trying our new products.
• My Fitness Plan (reduction on your Fitness Subscription).
• Home work allowance
• Company laptop and mobile phone
• Green Mobility Policy