Home Care R&D Digital, Data & AI Manager

Job Title: R&D Digital, Data & AI Manager

Business Group: Home Care

Location: Bangalore (Open to Mumbai)

ABOUT HOME CARE R&D

Do you want to play a defining role in shaping the future of AI‑powered R&D for one of the world’s most ambitious Home Care businesses?

Home Care R&D is on a journey to become the world’s most admired home care company, powered by Bright Future. Digital, data and now AI are the backbone of how we transform the speed, quality and impact of innovation and value creation.

This role sits within the Home Care R&D Digital, Data & AI Transformation Team, a group dedicated to building and scaling the digital and AI capabilities that will elevate our R&D community to become fully future‑fit.

JOB PURPOSE

As the Home Care R&D Digital, Data & AI Manager, you will report to the Home Care R&D Transformation Head. Your key responsibility will be to lead the HC R&D transformation focusing on the AI, driving the delivery of stronger product superiority, accelerated value creation and unlocking smarter ways of working throughout global R&D teams. This includes the definition and integration of data fundamentals feeding AI, adoption of enterprise tools, identifying and delivering AI‑powered solutions across Home Care R&D.

You will drive both strategic direction and hands‑on delivery of AI capabilities that solve day‑to‑day R&D pain points.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Set and drive the AI roadmap

Lead the AI strategy for HC R&D and prioritise high‑value opportunities.

2. Turn R&D pain points into solutions

Identify practical challenges and convert them into clear, actionable AI use cases.

3. Ensure strong data foundations

Understand and improve data quality, structure and governance to enable reliable AI.

4. Digital Tools Deployment & Change Management:

Champion adoption of digital tools that feed AI, ensuring smooth and efficient rollouts and engagement with Home Care Digital communities

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Connect R&D, Digital R&D, IT, Data Science, and partners around shared AI objectives.

Align digital and data strategies across R&D, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Finance.

6. Build AI capability across teams

Upskill R&D teams and grow a network of AI champions

ABOUT YOU

• Degree in Science, Engineering, Technology or related field; additional training in data/AI or management is an advantage.

• Unilever R&D experience and knowledge of R&D processes are beneficial

• Hands‑on experience applying AI to solve real business problems (e.g., LLMs, predictive models, generative AI, automation tools).

• Digital and data platform fluency

• Ability to diagnose R&D team pain points and convert them into actionable AI workflows or digital enhancements.

• Demonstrated ability to inspire, upskill, and drive adoption of new technologies across diverse R&D teams.

WHY JOIN US?

We’re in the midst of a major transformation. This role offers a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of Home Care R&D’s AI and digital transformation. You will shape how AI delivers stronger product superiority, accelerates value creations and unlocks smarter ways of working across a global R&D network.

You’ll work in a dynamic, collaborative, and experimental environment with autonomy to innovate and the ability to make visible impact across the Home Care business.

If you’re excited about bringing together science, digital, and AI to reimagine the future of R&D — we’d love to hear from you.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion 

Unilever embraces diversity and encourages applicants from all walks of life! 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. 

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