Process Development Technologist

On any given day, two billion people use Unilever products to look good, feel good and get more out of life. With more than 400 brands focused on health and wellbeing, no company touches so many people’s lives in so many different ways. 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 such as Blue Band, Pureit and Suave. For us, sustainability is integral to how we do business. With 7 billion people on our planet, the earth’s resources can be strained. This means sustainable growth is the only acceptable model of growth for our business. The Unilever Sustainable Living Plan sets out to decouple our growth from our environmental impact, while at the same time increasing our positive social impact. Our Plan has three big goals that by 2020 will enable us to:

• Help more than a billion people to improve their health and well-being.
• Halve the environmental footprint of our products.
• Source 100% of our agricultural raw materials sustainably and enhance the livelihoods of people across our value chain.

We believe that as a business we have a responsibility to our consumers and to the communities in which we have a presence. Around the world we invest in local economies and develop people’s skills inside and outside of Unilever. And through our business and brands, we run a range of programmes to promote hygiene, nutrition, empowerment and environmental awareness.JOB PURPOSE The Process Engineer is technically accountable for bridging Formulation and R&D Process Development to ensure products are scalable, robust, and factory ready. Operating within the Home Care R&D Process & Product Development teams, the role owns the translation of approved formulation intent into validated manufacturing processes through scale up, pilot trials, process specification, validation, and factory transfer. The Process Engineer delivers assigned innovation and Value Improvement Project (VIP) workstreams, quality interventions, and capacity uplift through data driven, safe, and compliant execution, acting as the R&D technical authority for process development and scale up.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

R&D PROCESS DEVELOPMENT

Perform scale up studies to translate approved bench scale formulations into pilot and factory ready processes, defining process parameters, critical control points (CCPs) and critical quality attributes (CQAs). Plan and perform experimental production runs in pilot plants and feasibility factory trials; provide technical recommendations and go / no go input based on agreed key success criteria. Prepare trial reports. Create, validate, and issue process specifications and validation documentation, ensuring alignment with approved formulation specifications and maintaining audit ready version control. Diagnose and resolve process deviations using engineering principles including root cause analysis and corrective actions. Ensure compliance with GMP, PHAROS, QMS, and R&D safety standards across all trial activities, ensuring data integrity and first time right reporting. Provide CAPEX technical input and requirements for new or modified process equipment, partnering with Engineering through trials, commissioning, and qualification. Factory & Supply Chain Interface Support technical problem solving for manufacturing issues in local HC factories, from issue diagnosis through validated resolution and standardisation. Support in defining and optimising process parameters and operating windows for critical operations in collaboration with factory to improve stability, quality, and capability. Maintain process operating instructions and SOPs; ensure accurate updates in manufacturing systems (e.g. RS Batch, FOXBORO, SCADA, DFOS, SPC) in line with change control requirements. Co lead process audits; conduct, analyse, and report on factory process audits and formulation related process risks, ensuring timely technical closure of findings. Act as R&D technical support in HAZOPs, dHACCPs, TRA, MOC, and TPM activities relevant to processes. Support installation, commissioning, and qualification of powder related equipment as the R&D technical representative, ensuring required process capability is achieved. Required Skills & Knowledge Advanced / Expert Process scale up from lab/bench scale into pilot and into factory manufacturing processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and keep stakeholders informed. Communicate about new product commercialization and oversee factory processes to ensure consistent product quality. Ability to interpret process data, define process windows, and validate scale up models. Working Knowledge Factory digital and control systems (SCADA, SAP, FOXBORO, PAMCO, DFOS, SPC or equivalents). R&D and pilot plant testing methodologies and data interpretation.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

BTech / BSc in Chemical Engineering (or equivalent) 3-5 years Demonstrated experience with independent technical ownership of process development and/or scale‑up activities, or FMCG manufacturing