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R&D SCL Lux Program Leader

Maharashtra, India

Professional seated at a conference table with laptops and a presentation screen in a modern office setting
Job ID:
R-1174200
Date posted:
02/04/2026
Job Type:
Full time
Job Category:
Research & Development

Job Details

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Job Title: R&D Skin Cleansing Lux Program Leader  

Function: R&D

Location:Mumbai HURC

ABOUT UNILEVER

Established over 100 years ago, we are one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies. We are known for our great brands and our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. We believe that the winning businesses of tomorrow will be those which anticipate and respond to the huge changes shaping people’s lives across the world. We are more certain than ever that it is the right time to focus our sustainability efforts on the four key priorities where we are best placed to drive impact: climate, nature, plastics and livelihoods.

Purpose & Context

As a professional at Unilever, you’ll enjoy the responsibility to lead change – putting your fresh thinking into action. We’ll equip you with the tools you need to do the job and more, enabling you to use your unique perspective to grow beyond limits and make a positive impact on the world, our business, and our people

Find your purpose at Unilever. You will lead innovations, big and small, that will make our business win and grow. You will learn from brilliant business leaders and colleagues in a truly global and diverse culture to ultimately become a better you. If you are passionate about creating a positive impact to our people, planet, and business by bringing science and technology to life then this role is just for you.

Deliverables: What will your main responsibilities be : Expectations from the incumbent, during the course of his (her) work:

  • Work with India BU as a Technical Project formulation leader focusing on formulation design and deploy for  projects and execution responsibility for an END to END landing.

  • Build capabilities in India for Skin cleansing Liquid program to deliver superior mixes/ formats  

  • Responsibility for necessary literature scan, Decode competition technologies/ mixes through science and use for our advantage to develop superior technologies/ mixes

  • Create Roadmap specific to cluster/country to develop formula as required

  • Passion for developing superior products that delight and fulfil consumer needs for cluster/ country requirement

  • Roll out of next Generation Body wash/ Hand wash Formulations/ Formats understanding the consumer needs by working closely with Capability & Global Brand team.

  • In addition, the role would involve leading various value creation initiatives, managing product quality and specifications, supporting creation and interfacing with global & regional cross-functional teams.

  • Create an Innovation funnel based on key consumer insights and technology available with GDC & build future technology options

  • Always looking to create new product/ Technology/ process with strong science and are not constrained by function, area of expertise or experience and Developing robust product specification

  • In close co-ordination with the Processing and supply chain teams, develop manufacturing processes to scale the product manufacture from lab to pilot to main plant, estimate the CAPEX requirements. 

  • Lead all the mandatory checklist like risk management, assurance to product performance/quality, intellectual property protection and patent, IP clearances, Global and local regulatory and product safety ( SEAC) clearance for the formulations and creating technical transfer dockets

  • Follow global ways of working as per the Global Design Centre with timely alignments

  • Lead conversations and give technical inputs on the right choice of mixes per project brief

  • Lead the discussion with Category Brand Fragrance Managers  (Fragrance team) and give timely & technical inputs on the fragrance brief as per the shortlisted buy and deploy product

  • Responsible for ensuring full compliance on product / pack compatibility, stability studies are as per Unilever protocols

  •  Responsible for giving timely and correct inputs on packaging substrate as per Unilever guidelines 

  • Responsible for claims and label declaration signoff from Global and Local Claims forums are done with relevant support documents

Required Professional and educational qualifications skills

  • PhD/ M.Sc in chemistry/ Applied chemistry/ Organic chemistry, BE/ BTech Oils, Oleochemicals and Surfactants Technology / Chemical, B.Pharma/M.Pharma

  • 10-15  yrs of experience with In-depth understanding on surfactant science & personal care surfactants, formulation development of skin cleansing products, new formats & concentrates

  • Prefer incumbent with a sound experience in skin cleansing category with working knowledge of  design on Liquid Body wash and other formats like scrubs, self-formers etc

  • Good understanding and working knowledge  India Market , understanding of consumers , their  Habits and attitudes.

  • Networking skills working with cross functional and Business Units ( BU) teams - We would prefer incumbent with a working knowledge on leading projects for INDIA BU ( preferred ) with any additional experience managing ,China, Brazil, Arabia, Greater Asia and Indonesia

  • Manage resources at a sensitive stage (requires high level of maturity and inclusive approach)

  • Resolution of formulation related issues in close working with Design and Brand teams

  • Guide and mentor new team members to lead the workstream independently

  • X-functional senior stakeholder alignment and management

  • Open innovation & Partnerships

  • Ability to influence the leaders in the organization

  • Must be able to work under pressure and manage conflict effectively

  • Proven track record of leading innovation projects & teams - delivering at a consistently high standard with experience managing project financials and business acumen.

  • Good understanding of premium product category, unique and trendy products and formats

  • Excellent understanding of Product Development Principles, DOEs, Innoflex, and related R & D Processes and Protocols

  • Good Verbal/written Communication skills ability to influence peers, key stakeholders and senior leaders

  • Minimum fluency in English for communication (reading, writing, speaking)

  • Excellent People Management Skills, Financial Skills and Business acumen

Lateral contacts

  • The job will involve working with R&D Directors, Brand managers, Marketing Director, External partners to build ecosystem, other members of the design/technology team and the larger R&D team (including Deploy Team leader), External Partners, Academics & consultants.

Business impact

  • The role is responsible for both OTIF (on time in full) delivery of all innovation projects rollout and capability building for Skin cleansing liquids & new formats

  • Timely resolution of issues by close networking with multifunctional global and regional team

  • Contribute to building a strong formulation team by developing exceptional talents.

Standards of Leadership  – Critical Behaviors 

  • Care Deeply - Has emotional intelligence to challenge with positive tension, yet openness to take feedback, and drive performance with care. 

  • Focus on What Counts – Generates intensity and focus to motivate people to deliver fewer, bigger things to conclusion with speed and agility

  • Stay Three Steps Ahead – Think Big, simplify and commit to making it happen and leading, shaping and disruptive thinking

  • Deliver with Excellence – Takes personal responsibility and accountability for developing breakthrough solutions and pride in execution

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. 

All official offers from Unilever are issued only via our Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Offers from individuals or unofficial sources may be fraudulent - please verify before proceeding

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