Job Title: Senior Packaging Specification Specialist
Location: Leeds Office and R&D
MAIN JOB PURPOSE:
Great products don’t happen by accident. They are built on robust data, clear specifications and technical rigour.
Packaging specifications are the backbone that enables safe manufacture, regulatory compliance, consistent quality and outstanding consumer experience. When specification data is right first time, innovation can move faster, risks are reduced and brands are protected.
This role exists to own, elevate and future proof packaging specification data, ensuring it actively enables the delivery of safe, compliant and desirable deodorant products across a global portfolio.
The role holder will lead the delivery of Unilever’s global packaging specification programme for the Deodorant category. You will be accountable for ensuring that packaging specification data is:
·Complete, accurate and compliant
·Fit for purpose across the full product lifecycle
·Trusted as a single source of truth
·Actively enabling better decisions, faster execution and stronger products
Operating at the intersection of R&D, Quality, Regulatory, Digital, Supply Chain and suppliers, you will translate complex technical and regulatory requirements into clear, usable specifications that underpin world‑class product delivery.
MAIN ACCOUNTABILITIES:
End‑to‑end ownership of packaging specifications
1. Lead delivery of the global Packaging Specification programme, ensuring right‑first‑time execution across brands and business units
2. Create, amend, Approve and release fit‑for‑purpose packaging specifications using strong technical judgement and rigour
3. Ensure specifications enable safe manufacture, consistent quality and regulatory compliance throughout the product lifecycle
Data quality, compliance & risk management
4. Set and drive best‑in‑class data quality standards for packaging specifications
5. Ensure full compliance with Unilever internal standards and global regulatory requirements
6. Identify data gaps, risks or inconsistencies and lead corrective actions
7. Protect brands and consumers by reducing the risk of non‑compliance, penalties or reputational impact
Digital systems & continuous improvement
8. Act as Packaging Specification SME and PLM / AWS Superuser
9. Partner with Digital R&D to improve system functionality, efficiency and data accuracy
10. Lead testing, deployment and adoption of system enhancements
11. Drive continuous improvement of specification processes and ways of working across the category
Stakeholder leadership & collaboration
12. Work closely with Packaging R&D, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, Procurement and suppliers
13. Lead alignment across global and BU teams, balancing speed with technical rigour
14. Communicate clearly with senior stakeholders, holding self and others accountable for delivery
Capability & knowledge building
15. Own and develop the Deo Packaging Specification Portal
16. Act as a key member of the Packaging Specification Code of Practice network
17. Coach, train and develop team members, acting as a role model for technical excellence and data mindset
WHAT YOU WILL BRING:
Experience & background
18. Degree‑level education in a scientific or engineering discipline
19. Strong R&D experience, with deep understanding of specifications and data quality
20. Proven experience managing specifications across their full lifecycle
21. Solid understanding of PLM / AWS and end‑to‑end data flows
22. Working knowledge of packaging legislation and regulatory frameworks
23. Experience leading complex workloads, priorities and continuous improvement initiatives
Technical & professional strengths
24. A data‑driven mindset with relentless attention to detail
25. Strong understanding of packaging materials, test methods and quality evaluation
26. Ability to translate complex information into clear, actionable outputs
27. Confident problem‑solver who thrives in cross‑functional, global environments
28. Comfortable influencing without authority and engaging senior stakeholders
Digital & analytical capability
29. Expert user of PLM / AWS for specification management
30. Strong affinity for digital tools, analytics and continuous optimisation
31. Confident working with Excel, Power BI and harnessing data‑driven insights
What We Offer
Not only do we offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, we also offer an annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.
Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We are a key advocate of wellbeing and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all.
Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities, and growing together for better business performance. We want to push boundaries, and have the flexibility needed to keep adapting in an ever-changing, more dynamic world. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.
As part of your hiring journey, we are happy to support requests for reasonable adjustments, to improve your recruitment experience.
To find out more, including more information about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here.
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