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Packaging Developer

England, United Kingdom

Professional seated at a conference table with laptops and a presentation screen in a modern office setting
Job ID:
R-1182758
Date posted:
06/08/2026
Job Type:
Full time
Job Category:
Research & Development

Job Details

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Job Title:Packaging Developer

Business Function: R&D

Location: Leeds

JOB PURPOSE

The Packaging Developer is an essential role within the Deodorant Category, a key strategic growth area in Personal Care at Unilever. This position is responsible for supporting innovation and excellence in packaging for flagship brands including Rexona, Axe, and Dove.

The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting the Packaging Work Stream Leader in large packaging innovation/renovation projects and also leading smaller packaging projects themselves with a level of autonomy.  Responsibilities will cover the development and execution of the packaging design from brief, through to rigorous execution and subsequent launch, ensuring the delivery of superior product experiences and alignment with business objectives, including sustainability and premiumisation.

Managing Stakeholders is key, providing the required information and evidence at key decision points. Responsible for engaging in or coordinating all packaging activities involved in the delivery of a project, this includes co-ordinating with Business Units to understand and ensure Global alignment and adherence to regional legislation.

The Packaging Developer will ensure that the Packaging Development Process is followed, and the appropriate levels of technical rigour have been applied to ensure that it can be manufactured efficiently and consistently within specification to maintain quality expectations throughout the product life cycle.

They are responsible for managing project risks involved in the delivery of the packaging solution and will either support the Packaging Work Stream Lead or lead [for smaller projects] all packaging technical risk activities including Risk Level 3 assessments and FMEA’s.

The Packaging developer will be accountable for ensuring that the application of digital tools are used where available and must drive an in-silico first mindset, ensuring all structured data is capturing physical and virtual testing to safeguard its use in building models or future reuse by other project teams.

Based within the Packaging and Aerosol team in the Deodorant Category Design Centre, Leeds UK.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Supports or leads [for smaller projects] the packaging workstreams within the development framework

2.Supports or leads [for smaller projects] risk management activities (e.g. FMEA, Risk Assessments).

3.Responsible for validating robust functional specifications for components and systems.

4.Responsible for ensuring appropriate test plans are executed to ensure RFT delivery

5.Input into innovation networks and is accountable for the delivery of packaging related network activities

6.Analyse test results using statistical tools to identify potential production issues. Prepare reports for stakeholder feedback and make recommendations to drive decision making

7.Manage lab Technicians including SOW job requests when conducting technical testing activities through to completion including pilot packaging equipment, factory line trials and Design of Experiments.

8.Work with strategic partners including design agencies, consultants, injection moulding/assembly suppliers globally to coordinate successful project delivery

9.Contribute to the development of future packaging capability initiatives by feeding into best practice solutions and support the testing capability to validate “design rules” for implementation into future innovation projects.

10. Support training and to build knowledge and expertise across Personal Care

11. Play an active role in contributing towards the Packaging and Aerosol teams strategy activities.

ALL ABOUT YOU

EXPERIENCE

  • Project Management and organisation experience

  • Technical education – in an engineering, science or design subject, ORrelevant prior technical experience

  • Experience of manufacturing technology preferred

  • Competent in using digital tools (e.g. analytical) to produce evidence to support decision making

  • Ability to read technical engineering drawings and understand tolerances

  • Experience in measurement testing equipment and techniques

KEY SKILLS

  • People with the right attitude, mindset, and competencies.

  • Awareness of Project Management tools and techniques

  • Risk Management

  • Enthusiasm and passion for what packaging, innovation and consumer experience can unlock for our brands, business, and planet.

  • Aerosol/Stick/Roll on knowledge

  • Packaging Materials & Technology knowledge

  • Network creation/planning input

  • Digital Tool Proficiency

  • Data Analytics

  • Environmental Sustainability

  • Consumer Insight

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • This role is based in Leeds R&D

  • Job holder is likely to be working on a number of projects simultaneously

  • Business travel required including some overseas travel

  • Occasional out of hours work may be required

  • Office based with some opportunities for agile working

  • Driving license preferable

NOTES

About Unilever

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Food, Home and Personal Care products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2 billion consumers a day. Unilever has more than 400 brands found in homes around the world, including Dove, Tresemme, Lynx, Lifebuoy, Shea Moisture, Persil, Domestos, Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum, Marmite, The Vegetarian Butcher, Graze and Pot Noodle.

Faced with the challenge of climate change and the need for human development, we want to move towards a world where everyone can live well and within the natural limits of the planet. That’s why our purpose is ‘to make sustainable living commonplace’ 

What We Offer

Not only do we offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, we also offer an annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.

Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We are a key advocate of wellbeing and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all.

Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities and growing together for better business performance. We embrace diversity in our workforce. 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. We are also more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to be present your best self. To find out more, including about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Unilever | Unilever.

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How is Unilever tackling this?

Many of Unilever’s recruitment sites publish a warning to candidates about recruitment fraud. The Cyber Security team also proactively scan for signs of people setting up fake Unilever sites and act to close them down.

What can I do?

If you become aware of potential recruitment fraud, spot fake Unilever recruitment adverts or fake LinkedIn profiles, report them via Una Live Chat.

Unilever does not accept responsibility or liability for any candidates who are financially impacted by recruitment fraud. Your vigilance is key!

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