Job Purpose
Are you passionate about solving complex manufacturing challenges and driving continuous improvement? As a Focused Improvement Engineer, you will lead initiatives that improve safety, quality, productivity, cost, and equipment reliability across one of Unilever's flagship manufacturing operations. In this highly visible role, you will partner with cross-functional teams to eliminate losses, optimize packaging processes, implement new technologies, and deliver sustainable business results. If you thrive on data-driven problem solving and enjoy turning opportunities into measurable improvements, we'd love to hear from you.
Core Deliverables
Lead Continuous Improvement
- Own and execute the site's focused improvement agenda within the Packaging operation.
- Identify, prioritize, and eliminate manufacturing losses impacting safety, quality, waste, cost, and productivity.
- Lead projects that improve equipment performance, process capability, and operational efficiency.
- Deliver savings initiatives that strengthen the site's cost structure and business performance.
Optimize Manufacturing Processes
- Establish and maintain process standards, centerlines, and operating conditions that ensure consistent product quality and performance.
- Analyze production data to identify root causes of downtime, waste, defects, and process variation.
- Develop sustainable corrective actions to prevent recurrence and improve reliability.
Partner Across Functions
- Collaborate with Operations, Quality, R&D, Engineering, Safety, and external equipment suppliers to improve manufacturing capability.
- Support equipment upgrades, new technology implementation, process trials, and capital improvement projects.
- Serve as a key resource for World Class Manufacturing (WCM) and Unilever Manufacturing System (UMS) practices.
Develop Teams & Standards
- Create and maintain standard operating procedures, work instructions, and production standards.
- Train and coach operators on process control, loss elimination, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Support Run-to-Standard activities and help build a culture of operational excellence.
Drive Digital & Future-Focused Solutions
- Co-lead DFOS implementation and become the site's subject matter expert for data collection and performance monitoring systems.
- Utilize manufacturing data and analytics to accelerate decision making and improve operational performance.
What Success Looks Like
- Improve line efficiency, reliability, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
- Reduce waste, losses, quality defects, and operational costs.
- Deliver measurable productivity and savings improvements.
- Build sustainable standards that help teams consistently achieve performance targets.
- Influence a culture of continuous improvement across the manufacturing operation.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.
- 3+ years of engineering, manufacturing, process, or packaging experience in a consumer products, food, personal care, chemical, or related manufacturing environment.
- Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives using TPM, WCM, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.
- Proven ability to analyze manufacturing data, identify root causes, and implement sustainable solutions.
- Experience leading end-to-end improvement projects focused on equipment performance, waste reduction, productivity, or quality improvement.
- Experience in a union manufacturing environment is a plus.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt preferred.
Pay: The pay range for this position is $88,600 to $133,000. 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.
------------------------------------
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 Industrial, Mechanical, Manufacturing Engineering, or related technical field
- 3+ years of engineering, manufacturing, process, or packaging experience in consumer products, food, personal care, chemical, or related manufacturing environment
- Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives using TPM, WCM, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies
- Proven ability to analyze manufacturing data, identify root causes, and implement sustainable solutions
- Experience leading end-to-end improvement projects focused on equipment performance, waste reduction, productivity, or quality improvement
- Experience in a union manufacturing environment
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
- Experience with DFOS or manufacturing data collection and performance monitoring systems
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
