Head of ANZ Nutrition R&D

Unilever – Head of Foods Research & Development, ANZ
Location: North Rocks, NSW

Who We Are

On any given day, 2.5 billion people globally use Unilever products. Brands include Dove, Rexona, Lynx, Vaseline, OMO/Persil, Surf, TRESemmé, Continental and Hellmann’s. Unilever ANZ is a Certified B Corporation™ and actively runs a flexible working policy.

Background

Our Food Portfolio is a critical part of Unilever’s ANZ business, covering Dressings and Scratch Cooking & Snacking with lead brands Hellmann’s and Continental. The Foods R&D team spans Formulation, Processing, Chefmanship, Digital & Data, Packaging, and partners closely with Marketing, CS&P, Supply Chain and Procurement. The business aims to drive growth, margin, market share, resilience, and sustainability.

Job Summary
We are seeking a Head of Foods R&D ANZ — a leader who will inspire, coach, and drive the local R&D organisation, partner with the business, and help deliver Unilever’s commitments in:

• Health & nutrition transformation (Positive Nutrition, Science based Nutrition Criteria)

• Net Zero ambitions

• Growth and innovation in the ANZ Foods portfolio

This role is a core member of the ANZ Foods leadership team, reporting to the Director of R&D for APAC.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and represent the ANZ R&D function locally and globally

• Coach, develop, and empower the R&D team

• Ensure delivery of the ANZ R&D program: growth, market share, margin, sustainability

• Align with innovation roadmaps and execute the local growth agenda

• Oversee supply chain & procurement crisis management

• Set strategy, resource plans, structures, and ways of working

• Ensure consumer safety and scale up safety

• Represent R&D in senior ANZ strategic forums

• Manage project prioritisation, CAPEX, lab and pilot plant readiness

• Maintain operational safety, hygiene, and environmental standards

Required Experience & Skills

• 5–10 years’ FMCG R&D experience

• Proven innovation delivery record

• Strong influencing/communication skills

• Ability to lead in multicultural, cross disciplinary environments

• Strong people development and performance culture leadership

• Technical judgment to guide direction and decision making

• Team player with strong stakeholder management capabilities

What awaits you at Unilever?

The core of Unilever’s culture is captured as Human, Purposeful, Accountable. You will be joining a dynamic, flexible, and inspiring work environment that truly cares about your wellbeing, values what you do and celebrates your success.

This is your opportunity to be part of a purpose-led business and a global community where you can progress your career both locally and internationally. You will also benefit from amazing discounts on external company products, attractive employee referral reward program amongst other benefits.

This is a great opportunity to work within an iconic and global organization. We have gained our reputation as one of the world's most admired employers by providing an environment where individuals can achieve their goals, both professionally and personally.

Make no mistake we expect a lot from our people as they do of us. So, if you can rise to the challenge, don't waste any time - apply now!

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment journey. Should you require additional information or reasonable adjustments to allow you to present your best self during this process, please contact anz.talent@unilever.com.

Unilever is an organization 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.

This means we encourage people with all backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pacific Peoples, and people with disabilities. Interested in learning more, check out our Reconciliation Action Plan and Workplace Adjustment Policy on the Unilever webpage.

At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! We encourage you to advise us at the time of your application if you require any reasonable adjustment so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.

Unilever is an organization 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.

This means we encourage people with all backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pacific Peoples, and people with disabilities.

At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! We encourage you to advise us at the time of your application if you require any reasonable adjustment so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.