Earlier this year, Unilever announced an agreement to combine its Foods business with McCormick & Company, creating a scaled global flavour powerhouse. The proposed combination would bring together iconic Foods brands, including Hellmann’s and Knorr, with McCormick’s portfolio to create a global leader across spices, seasonings, condiments and complementary food categories, supported by strong retail and foodservice platforms. McCormick brings more than 135 years of heritage, a presence in 150+ countries and a portfolio of trusted brands.
The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, with completion estimated for mid-2027.
Overview/Responsibilities:
The Category Engineer position based in the Chicago - Kilbourn Factory, will manage the end-to-end delivery of the condiment’s technology projects for the Dressings Category in NA. This includes direct capital project management of innovation and technology changes at Kilbourn, and third-party manufacturers. Provides support and expertise to the day to day and reliability activities at the factory and runs trials at the factory for all pack and process changes. Reports to Category Engineering Manager, Dressings.
Role expectations:
Organized and detail oriented to deliver projects respective to safety, product quality, project timing, and cost. You will be a great partner to the on-site factory team and the off-site business category team. The Category Engineer for Kilbourn takes a leadership role over the portfolio of category projects and trials coming to Kilbourn, and they act as the factory representative to external teams (R&D, Brand, Procurement, suppliers, etc.), with occasional support for dressings product launches at 3rd party manufacturers.
You're a born leader: Leads technology, capital, innovation, capacity, and value improvement projects for the dressings category. Responsible for providing estimates, options assessment, plant trials, and technical support for projects. Carries out tasks related to project assessment, plant trials, technical support, and implementation with limited supervision. Ensures compliance with Unilever hygiene, equipment and safety standards, specifications, and best practices. This includes formulation/process/equipment evaluations, industrial trials, preliminary engineering, project cost controls, timeline, establishment of commissioning plan, plant/equipment commissioning, and production startup.
You're a change maker: Participates in establishing company-wide best practices and standards for technology changes and commissioning. Act as a technical resource to the category engineering team for new products and re-stages (innovation and renovation). Contributes to the technology improvements for the category for processing and packaging equipment. Develops and manages checkout, testing, and start-up protocol for the commissioning of equipment, packaging lines and control systems.
You're a dot connector: Participates in cross-plant improvement teams. Develop strong partnership with plant manufacturing, corporate engineering, and workforce. Team member for innovation, larger restructuring, or supply chain strategic investments. Collaborate with other manufacturing engineers and category engineers in establishing best practices. Interface directly with R&D, marketing, innovation, and supply chain planning teams to drive on-time delivery of innovation and savings projects.
You're a culture and change champion: Bringing new Ways of Working to the Engineering community in our continued pursuit of the lowest installed cost, while living our core values (Unilever Sustainable Living Plan)
You love to win, and have fun doing it: On Time In Full (OTIF) end to end delivery of assigned capital and innovation projects (typical value €0.1m - 2 Million) adhering to Unilever standards and ensuring safety as our number 1 priority.
What We’re Looking For
Required Qualifications:
Education: BS in Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial Engineering or equivalent technical degree.
Experience: 3+ Years of Engineering in FMCG / foods / related Industry or gained in an engineering consultancy environment or equivalent technical experience.
6+ months of practical, on-the-floor experience with industrial machinery, including (but not limited to) equipment layout, installation, startup, commissioning, troubleshooting, continuous improvement activities, etc.
1+ years of experience of AutoCAD a plus
Project Management, Maintenance, Operations Lead, R&D, and/or Continuous Improvement experience in a manufacturing environment.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; along with the ability to influence others.
Preferred Qualifications:
First-hand experience delivering or leading start-up for capital projects within Unilever or similar FMCG environment
Experience: 5+ Years of Project Engineering in FMCG / foods / related Industry or gained in an engineering consultancy environment
Experience working in a Research and Development team is a plus, or deep knowledge of product development
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At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee.
Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities.
For more information on your federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal
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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial Engineering, or an equivalent technical discipline
- At least 3 years of engineering experience in FMCG, food, a related industry, an engineering consultancy, or equivalent technical experience
- Project management, maintenance, operations leadership, R&D, or continuous improvement experience in a manufacturing environment
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to influence others and collaborate cross-functionally
- First-hand experience delivering or leading capital project startups in Unilever or a similar FMCG environment
- At least 5 years of project engineering experience in FMCG, food, a related industry, or an engineering consultancy
- Experience working in a research and development team or deep product-development knowledge
Unilever Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Unilever and has not been reviewed or approved by Unilever.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is described as comprehensive, spanning medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and occupational health support alongside a 24/7 employee assistance program. Wellbeing offerings such as health checks, resilience tools, and counseling support the perceived depth of health-related benefits.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support includes a 401(k) match that reaches up to 5% of base salary, strengthening the overall value of the package. Share and savings options are also referenced as part of longer-term financial support beyond salary.
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Flexible Benefits — Benefits customization is enabled through tools such as a “My Reward” system and a “Benefits Envelope” that allows employees to personalize selections. Flexible working approaches are also associated with improved overall satisfaction, reinforcing perceived choice and adaptability in the total rewards offering.
Unilever Insights
What We Do
Be part of the world’s most successful, purpose-led business. Work with brands that are well-loved around the world, that improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We promote innovation, big and small, to make our business win and grow; and we believe in business as a force for good. Unleash your curiosity, challenge ideas and disrupt processes; use your energy to make this happen. Our brilliant business leaders and colleagues provide mentorship and inspiration, so you can be at your best. Our portfolio ranges from nutritionally balanced foods to indulgent ice creams, affordable soaps, luxurious shampoos and everyday household care products. We produce world-leading brands including Lipton, Knorr, Dove, Axe, Hellmann’s and Omo, alongside trusted local names and innovative-forward thinking brands like Ben & Jerry’s, The Dollar Shave Club and Dermalogica. Every individual here can bring their purpose to life through their work. Join us and you’ll be surrounded by inspiring leaders and supportive peers. Among them, you’ll channel your purpose, bring fresh ideas to the table, and simply be you. As you work to make a real impact on the business and the world, we’ll work to help you become a better you.
