Associate Scientist, Product Development

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world. 

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our, collaborative, and flexible working environment. Our organizational ambition centers around creating workplaces that foster equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging across all aspects of our business. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

Our brands give us a unique opportunity to create positive change, to grow our business and to achieve our purpose of making sustainable living commonplace. Our mission is to discover, make and market consumer health and hygiene products and bring them to as many people as possible.

The Global Skin Care team is looking for an Associate Scientist. The candidate for this position will be part of a team responsible for formulation and product development for our Beauty and wellbeing division.  These products will be key for skin care to continue its’ growth and realize its’ ambition. Further, since the position is a global design team, there will be future opportunities to work in or lead one or more of an exciting portfolio of projects that covers hand and body lotions, facial cleansing, facial moisturizers; Globally. 

JOB PURPOSE

Unilever is the place where you can bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world.  If you are a passionate scientist then this role is just for you!

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

The Associate Scientist will report into the Skin Care R&D organization based in Trumbull, CT and will have multi-functional interfaces across the broader global Beauty and Wellbeing R&D organization.

• Product Developer and work stream leader working with the Technical Project Leader and x-functional team. Interact with processing, packaging, consumer and clinical groups to design technologies that meet consumer needs.
• Formulate on the lab bench, support consumer testing, clinical testing, scale-up, Safety/regulatory/patent clearance, along with recipe and specification creation.
• Maintaining a clean and safe working environment.
• Working knowledge of functional materials used to formulate lotions and interact with suppliers.
• Contribute to designing consumer testing protocols, and producing consumer test samples in support of consumer research needs.  
• Interact with regional R&D partners to insure the flawless transfer and execution of innovations.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO SUCCEED

Experiences & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in science related field, preferably Chemistry or Chemical Engineering
• Minimum experience: at least 2 years in a CPG or relevant internship/co-op experience.
• Flexibility and open mindedness in achieving objectives is required
• Ability to work well in teams and demonstrate the ability to collaborate with others
• Ability to work independently, have strong technical understanding, problem solving, communication and organizational skills. 

Technical Skills

• Demonstrates understanding of laboratory techniques and procedures for the evaluation of product functionality and stability.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the chemical, physical, and functional properties of raw materials.
• Must demonstrate basic understanding of experimental design techniques.
• Possess sound basic knowledge of technical measurements and research methods and are able to analyse and interpret technical data
• Basic appreciation of specification creation and costing
• Strict compliance to lab, ingredient and product safety and regulatory requirements

Project Management Skills

• Plans, implements and evaluates formulation prototypes using standard scientific methods (i.e. statement of purpose, documented procedure, interpretation of results and conclusion).
• Demonstrates knowledge of the steps involved in the overall product development cycle.
• Understands the role, which all R & D functional areas play in the overall product development process.
• Effectively uses internal and external evaluation procedures as appropriate.
• Basic appreciation of Unilever project management principles and tools
• Alignment of technical work plan with business priorities
• Basic appreciation of the roles which cross-functional areas play in overall project execution

Communication Skills

Must demonstrate the ability to understand, follow instructions, guide and instruct others as needed.

• Prepares detailed reports and memos.
• Actively participate in and effectively conducts meetings with technical and non-technical personnel.
• Build strong relationships across various R&D functions
• Prepares routine technical data,
• reports and specifications
• Participates in meetings with technical personnel (R&D team) offering suggestions and ideas
• Communicates product development task timing and raises issues
• Effectively present information and products to R&D audience/project team

Leadership

• You are energized by delivering fantastic results. You are an example to others – both your results and your resilience. You are constantly on the lookout for better ways to do things, engaging and collaborating with others along the way.
• As an individual you are the one responsible for your own wellbeing and delivering high standards of work. You must also focus on the Consumer and what they need. You are humble and have your head up, looking around to interpret evidence and data smartly, spot issues and opportunities to make things better.

• Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviors
  • PASSION FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE: Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results. Has an owner’s mindset, using data and insight to make decisions.
  • PERSONAL MASTERY: Sets high standards for themselves. Actively builds own wellbeing and resilience.
  • CONSUMER LOVE: Whatever their role, always looks for better ways to serve consumers. Invests time inside and outside to understand the needs of consumers.
  • PURPOSE & SERVICE: Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside Unilever.
  • AGILITY: Explores the world around them, continually learning and developing their skills.

What We Can Offer You

Culture for Growth | Top Notch Employee Health & Well Being Benefits | Every Voice Matters | Global Reach | Unilever: Life | LinkedIn | Strategy | Unilever | Why work for Unilever | Careers at Unilever |  Unilever Global Website | Check Out Our Space

Pay: The pay range for this position is $58,700 to $86,280. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs. 

Bonus: This position is bonus eligible. 

Long-Term Incentive (LTI): This position is LTI eligible. 

Benefits: Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents. 

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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, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. 

For more information about your Federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal and Pay Transparency Non discrimination Provision.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected]. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.