Sustainable Packaging Specialist

Job Title: Sustainable Packaging Specialist
Location: Mumbai HURC

Impact Statement
Unilever is reinventing flexible packaging at industrial scale. We're not just improving what exists - we're commercializing breakthrough sustainable materials and technologies that will transform how billions of products reach consumers worldwide.

This role sits at the critical intersection of innovation and industrialization. You'll take pioneering packaging solutions from proof-of-concept to factory-ready reality, working with senior stakeholders across R&D, Supply Chain, and Business Units to deliver technologies that don't yet exist at commercial scale.

If you're energized by deep technical problem-solving, self-directed experimentation, and the opportunity to shape Unilever's waste-free, net-zero packaging future - this is where you belong.
Link to relevant article: https://www.unilever.com/planet-and-society/waste-free-world/rethinking-plastic-packaging/

Business Context
The One Packaging R&D Centre aims to create a waste-free, net-zero packaging portfolio through world-class packaging materials capability with strong partnerships and ecosystems. We are a high-performing, diverse, and inclusive team of dynamic entrepreneurial people with strong scientific backgrounds, courage and curiosity, and passion for sustainability and delivery that will have a positive impact on the planet.

Role Purpose
The Sustainable Packaging Specialist will drive technical programmes and trials for flexible packaging materials, develop and validate sustainable packaging solutions, and ensure the technical readiness of innovations for implementation in categories and supply chain.

This is a hands-on, lab-plus-line technical role requiring deep packaging fundamentals, root cause problem-solving capability, self-drive, and cross-functional collaboration.

A. Technical Programme Delivery & Ownership
• Drive the flexible packaging technical workstream across sachets, pouches, flow wraps, envelope wrap and other formats from concept through factory validation.
• Develop and optimize recyclable, mono-material, and paper-based structures aligned to OPC innovation funnels
• Independently design and execute material screening, lab characterization, and performance testing programs (optical, barrier, seal strength, COF, machinability)
• Lead pilot line and factory technical trials end-to-end: planning, execution, real-time troubleshooting, data capture, analysis, and reporting
• Proactively identify risks or performance gaps during trials and propose corrective actions before issues escalate

B. Material Science & Root Cause Problem-Solving
• Translate packaging performance challenges into material science hypotheses and structured experiments.
• Diagnose material or process failures by connecting symptoms to root causes (e.g., seal failures → material properties → processing conditions).
• Drive functional performance improvements: sealability, runnability, puncture/tear resistance, barrier optimization.
• Implement cost reduction and lightweighting programs while maintaining or improving performance.
• Collaborate with converting suppliers to understand and optimize extrusion, lamination, coating, printing, and slitting operations.

C. Self-Directed Learning & Continuous Improvement
• Stay current on emerging sustainable packaging technologies, materials, and industry trends
• Proactively seek out technical knowledge from suppliers, research institutes, and external partners to solve development challenges
• Design follow-up experiments based on trial learnings without waiting for direction - demonstrate scientific curiosity and initiative
• Contribute to the team's technical capability by sharing learnings, best practices, and troubleshooting approaches

D. Digital Excellence & Data Integrity
• Maintain rigorous technical records, trial reports, and datasets using AWS, LIMS, CLM, PatBase, and internal OPC tools
• Produce clear, data-driven documentation that enables others to build on your work
• Use digital platforms for data organization, modeling inputs, patent searches, and prior art evaluation

E. Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
• Partner with Category Packaging Leads, R&D teams, and Supply Chain to define technical challenges and unlock solutions
• Build productive relationships with external material suppliers, OEMs, institutes, and technology partners
• Support IP generation through data-driven justification, patent drafting inputs, and novelty assessments

F. Job Fundamentals
• Leads digital adoption while ensuring accurate budget updating, forecasting, and tracking to enable efficient and transparent business delivery.

• Role modelling safety first behaviours and demonstrating curiosity to explore new avenues for continuous improvement.

Competencies:
Functional Competencies
• Technical Rigor & Problem Solving
• Collaboration & Communication across senior stakeholders
• Data driven decision making driven decision making
• External orientation & ecosystem engagement
• Project management & prioritisation

Unilever Winning Behaviours:
• Deliver Excellence: Execute with discipline, quality, and accountability
• Focus on What Counts: Prioritize impactful delivery; avoid unnecessary complexity
• Stay Three Steps Ahead: Anticipate risks, future needs, and strategic opportunities
• Care Deeply: Build trust, collaboration, and inclusive team culture

Work Experience: Typically, 2–7 years of experience in flexible packaging R&D, converting industry, FMCG, or packaging supplier ecosystem.

Education: Master’s degree in Packaging Technology, Chemical Engineering/Technology, Materials Science, or Paper Technology (or equivalent).

What We Offer
A role at the forefront of a global packaging transformation — combining material science, ecosystem partnerships, digital methods, and trial execution. You will be part of a diverse, high performing team shaping Unilever’s future packaging portfolio.

Unilever is an organization committed to diversity and inclusion 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. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.