Formulation Technologist

Unilever Deutschland Holding GmbH; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international consumer goods company is seeking a Formulation Technologist in Leeds. This role focuses on developing and testing deodorant formulations, requiring a strong technical foundation and effective communication. Candidates should have a degree in a relevant science or engineering discipline along with experience in FMCG. Competitive salary, annual bonus, and flexible working options available.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Free gym access

Staff shop discount

Shares

Qualifications

• Experience in FMCG or cosmetics laboratory techniques.
• Ability to modify formulations based on consumer insights.
• Strong understanding of ingredient interactions and project management.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation work-streams to develop new products.
• Test new and existing formulations for stability.
• Communicate effectively with global formulation teams.

Skills

Formulation Chemistry

Analytical capability

Stakeholder management

Digital skills

Health & Safety knowledge

Education

Degree in relevant science or engineering

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Formulation Technologist

Location: Leeds

JOB PURPOSE

This role is responsible for developing and testing new deodorant formulations and technologies for various applicator types, with the aim of delivering new products for global or regional markets. The role involves collaboration with Science & Technology (S&T) teams and external suppliers.

Key Challenges of the role

• Taking responsibility for planning and delivering new formulations and/or technology for global innovation projects across one or several applicator types, ensuring all testing is completed to meet network timings.

• Support capability managers to build formulation applicator and/or technology capability working with external parties.

High level of technical input at both theoretical and practical skills is required.

Responsibilities

1. Lead a formulation work-stream within a medium project or Consumer Benefit Platform team to deliver a new formulation and/or technology for a specific applicator and/or multiple formulation streams in smaller projects, working with new technologies where appropriate. Communicate updates to the team and to the global formulation community, making recommendations.

2. Create formulations to meet consumer needs by manufacturing and testing new and existing formulations; use technical expertise to solve issues related to ingredients/technologies, ingredient interactions, physical properties, stability, and processing. Responsible for securing clearances using regulatory and safety clearance software tools.

3. Work with suppliers/third parties, S&T, Safety, Environmental & Regulatory Science (SERS); scout for technical ideas/solutions; understand confidential agreements and contribute to the patenting process of new technology breakthroughs. Communicate effectively with different functional areas to meet deadlines.

4. Provide high-level technical input with recognisable expertise in a specific formulation/applicator type or technology/benefit areas; offer technical support and answer queries to colleagues and teams.

5. Be aware of competitor launches related to applicator/benefit area and, through formulation expertise, understand implications for Unilever products/brands and support claim/patent challenges.

6. Use specialised technical knowledge to develop new protocols and characterisation techniques and identify new equipment requirements for specific applicators/benefits.

7. Maintain lab safety and high standards; prepare COSHH and risk assessments; contribute to site/R&D safety culture. Coordinate and implement technical training to facilitate development and understanding on specific applicators within formulation roles and across functional teams when necessary.

8. Prepare relevant documentation for laboratory technicians such as batch sheets, gas sheets, and results templates for capturing data in relevant Unilever software. Check and sign off gas sheets where appropriate.

All about you

• Education: Preferably degree level in relevant science or engineering discipline.

• Relevant experience: Knowledge of laboratory techniques gained in FMCG, cosmetic care or similar discipline.

• Desirable skills for the position:

  • Working knowledge on Formulation Chemistry – understanding of ingredients, ability to modify and manipulate formulations to design new products that deliver to consumer insights and needs.

  • Evaluate and understand interactions between ingredients within formulation/process/pack through physical stability assessments.

  • Working knowledge on Design of experiments/protocol development and how to generate data for claim substantiation.

  • Strong communication skills and analytical capability to analyse and interpret data.

  • Strong information management for knowledge capture and reporting.

  • Digital skills: data handling, analysis and interpretation of data; competent using digital tools to gather data and insights.

  • Deos formulation knowledge – knowledge of formats, formulations and Deos technologies.

  • Deos benefits – understand how to deliver consumer benefits through available technologies.

  • Good stakeholder management, providing updates to stakeholders and working with external parties and 3rd parties.

  • Appreciation of Intellectual Property procedures.

  • Technical knowledge of project management procedures.

  • Technical knowledge of Supply chain, Consumer Technical Insights and fragrance development processes.

  • Strong knowledge of Health & Safety regulations and processes, e.g. COSHH.

Notes

Location

In September 2020, Unilever announced the intention to build a new sustainable campus site in Kingston, London. The campus is due to be completed in early 2025 and will consist of two interconnected buildings and landscaped areas. This section is retained for context and does not remove the role’s core requirements.

What We Offer

We offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, an annual bonus, free gym access, a staff shop discount and shares. You’ll have the opportunity to work with renowned brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.

We are open to flexible working options. We support wellbeing with hubs, programmes and development opportunities and strive for a family-friendly and inclusive workplace.

Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion and growth. We are committed to equal opportunity and will provide reasonable adjustments during the application and interview process. For more, see Equity, Diversity & Inclusion.

Recruitment Fraud

Be aware of recruitment fraud and report potential issues via Una Live Chat. Unilever does not accept responsibility for candidates financially impacted by recruitment fraud.