Product Development Manager - HHC Liquids

Product Development Manager

OVERVIEW
Unilever is one of the leading suppliers of Food, Homecare and Personal Care products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2 billion consumers per day. Unilever has more than 400 brands found in homes around the world, including world class Homecare brands like Omo, Sunlight, Domestos and Handy Andy.
The Homecare business is fast growing and has strong brand equities and technology pipelines. We have the vision to Build the World’s Leading, Sustainable Home Care Business. In this context, Home Care has recently announced its ‘Clean Future’ ambition with increased investment in R&D to simultaneously drive Product Superiority with Affordability and Sustainability. Our Clean Future ambition aims to transform products such that we eliminate dependence on fossil fuels, end deforestation, ensures that our products are 100% biodegradable and that we have our greenhouse gas footprint in our products. This begins in Research and Development (R&D). In R&D you will find out what consumers want and need, and then design products that are driven by Science and Technology to make our innovations come to life in a sustainable way. To achieve this, R&D business partners closely with our colleagues in Marketing, Supply Chain and with leading scientific experts around the world.
We are looking for a Product Development Manager for our Home Care Liquids business in Southern Africa, who is inquisitive, passionate and is a disruptive thinker, to join us in leading the creation and development of even better, more sustainable and more innovative products.
This role provides the opportunity to lead product design in the biggest division in Unilever Africa, and on the diverse format within that. It is the most exciting time to join the team as we journey on our Clean Future strategy.

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES

You will be responsible for:
• Leading a team to deliver the Household Care Liquids program for Southern Africa
• Demonstrated ability to grow future talent - Managing people’s development & career plans and coaching.
• Business partnering with Marketing, Supply Chain and other R&D groups and suppliers to shape, influence and land the liquids R&D program for Southern Africa
• Formulate products that meet our performance and authenticity standards and ensure that products are delivered on-time and within budget while meeting all consumer and technical objectives
• Product qualification including signing off on all validation testing.
• Sign-off on all product specifications
• Work with consumer insights partners to ensure that product technologies are showcased in an impactful way
• Leading the large, technically complex projects (both innovations and savings initiatives)
• Staying abreast of technical developments and regulatory updates in the homecare category
• Develop and maintain relationships with existing and potential raw material suppliers.
• Commit to personal development and professional growth by actively participating in personal development initiatives and applying developmental thinking within the context of planning and executing work.
• Maintaining safety and GLP in labs and pilot plants
• Perform other tasks as may be required by Research & Development in the fulfilment of its objectives

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS
• Technical education: BS in Chemistry, Bio-Chemistry, Chemical Engineering
• 8 years experience in R&D and/or Unilever Supply Chain with minimum 3 years managerial experience in Formulation Development or Technical Product Management preferably in a consumer products goods company; more preferably in-Home Care Development
• Experience of complex Project management
• Evidence of connecting with global partners to deliver a program/projects.
• Consistent performance and demonstrated R&D expertise. CTI Experience beneficial.
• Strong business acumen
• Passion and strong alignment with Unilever’s Vision and Values
• Strong problem solving and organizational skills and proven ability to work in a fast-paced work environment.
• Demonstration of holding people accountable, impact and influence
• Strong growth mindset

WHAT DO WE OFFER?
• The opportunity to work on Brands like Omo, Sunlight, Handy Andy and Domestos that have the power to brighten peoples’ lives in Africa.
• The opportunity to design & tailor products, working with teams and making an impact on the lives of consumers across the continent.
• Be part of a diverse and ambitious team shaping the future of Homecare products.
• Exciting future career opportunities in a global, purpose led business.

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.