Overview
Role: R&D Senior Coordinator - Fabric Wash Liquids
Work Level: RH5
Reports to: HC Format Manager - Europe
Scope: Europe Business Unit - Home Care
Location: Port Sunlight Research Lab
About Unilever
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 inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. 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.
Category/Function Introduction
Research & Development – Home Care category - Fabric Wash Liquids – Europe Business Unit.
Job Purpose
Shape the Future of Homecare in Europe
Join the Home Care R&D Europe Business Unit and become a driving force behind some of the most iconic brands in the industry: Persil, Skip, OMO, Surf, Comfort, and SUN. In this role, you’ll be at the forefront of innovation, helping to deliver our bold programme of Big Bet technologies that are transforming the Laundry and Home & Hygiene category across Europe.
You’ll support the business through technical delivery across three key types of projects:
* Net Revenue Protection Projects — Safeguard existing product revenue by resolving quality issues, qualifying alternative suppliers, and supporting factory operations during unplanned events (e.g. incorrect dosing, wash water handling, etc.).
* Gross Margin Improvement Projects — Drive profitability by optimising formulations, improving processing efficiency, and enabling cost-effective ingredient changes without compromising product performance.
* Incremental Revenue Generation Projects — Support new product launches (Big-bets) and flanker variants by developing and scaling up innovative formulations that meet consumer needs and deliver breakthrough benefits.
This is an end-to-end role that blends hands-on lab work, coordination, and scale-up. In the early stages, lab work is intended as a strong focus, but over time, responsibilities may evolve toward project coordination and deployment depending on the candidate’s experience and growth.
What will your main responsibilities be
Job Overview: Innovation & Product Excellence Lead
* Step into a pivotal role where science meets strategy. As a key driver in our innovation and End-to-End programmes, you’ll lead the charge in shaping the future of our product portfolio—ensuring every formulation is technically sound, market-ready, and competitive.
What You’ll Do
* Technical ownership — Depending on the project, own and orchestrate the technical requirements for deployment, including lab batches, stability tracking, supporting trials, and performance testing.
* Champion Deployment Readiness — Support technical validations and assessments that pave the way for seamless product launches and supply chain integration. Collaborate with processing engineers to translate lab data into factory-scale implementation.
* Decode the Competition — Lead competitor benchmarking by coordinating product assessments and transforming data into actionable insight.
* Own the Digital Product Journey — Manage the end-to-end flow of product data across digital platforms like SAP PLM, Pharos, SDS/PCN, and other systems to ensure accuracy, compliance, and traceability.
* Lead Regulatory Adaptation — Take ownership of product changes linked to evolving European regulatory requirements, ensuring timely and compliant updates across your portfolio.
* Land Fragrances Consumers Love — Work with fragrance experts to deliver new scent experiences that resonate with consumer preferences and elevate product appeal.
* Be the Voice of Technical Clarity — Act as the go-to expert for stakeholders, providing clear updates and guidance on technical matters.
* Collaborate Across Functions — Partner with Supply Chain, Procurement, and Marketing to ensure the right information reaches the right people at the right time, driving alignment and informed decision-making.
* Factory Interface — Bridge between innovation teams and manufacturing sites, supporting both planned and reactive technical needs.
* Navigate Risk with Confidence — Lead project and technical risk management, ensuring all technical standards are met at critical milestones.
What you need to succeed
Experiences, Skills & Qualifications
* A degree (or equivalent) in a Science or Engineering discipline. Degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.
* Some previous product development experience; prior experience in detergent formulation and lab work is desirable.
* Experience and/or knowledge of working in a laboratory, including preparing product, conducting assessments, and monitoring/resolving issues as they arise.
* Flexibility: Willingness to work hands-on in the lab and evolve into coordination and technical project management roles.
* Proficiency with digital tools needed to support development, compliance, and deployment of products (SAP PLM, Pharos, CU-PIRD, SDS/PCN, etc.). Curiosity to learn new tools as systems improve.
* Ability to interpret laboratory data, extract insights, and present information to support technical decision making.
* Proactive problem-solving mindset with ideas to develop and deploy the best product experiences for consumers.
* Team player with good communication to share knowledge, resolve problems, and challenge for better solutions.
* Product & Consumer Love; strive to develop superior products for consumers.
What we offer
Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss flexible working options. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to create possibilities for all.
Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities and growing together for better business performance. We embrace diversity in our workforce. 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. We are also happy to provide reasonable adjustments during the application and interview process to enable you to be your best. To find out more, including about our Employee Resource Groups, please read Equity, Diversity & Inclusion information.
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