Projects & Innovation Leader

**Job Title**:Projects and Innovation Leader**

**Business Function**:Quality**

**Location**:Leeds Factory**

**JOB PURPOSE**

This role sits within the Sourcing Unit Quality function and has been developed in response to a need for specific planning and management of Re/Innovation/5S projects.

The scope of the role covers both Aerosol and Roll-On technologies and requires a strong interface with both internal factory teams, material suppliers and the category procurement and P&I functions.

**RESPONSIBILITIES**

The primary focus will be successful implementation of all aspects of major innovation (formulation, packaging) projects by focussing on Early Management into the SU as a result of Innovations, Blue Funnel, Cost Saving or Growth activity - specifically:
1. Factory representation for timeline of innovation projects

2. Initial (+/- 30%) assessment of capex requirements for innovation projects

3. Representation of factory in project meetings and management of stakeholders up until deployment/execution - including feedback to R&D / Procurement on materials / processes

4. Feedback of execution / validation of materials / equipment

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

OSHE
- Understand and enforce site safety policies and rules.
- Completion of Near Miss / SAV / DCA reports
- Management of risk assessment with respect to new material introductions with OSHE including environmental and manual handling impacts
- Understand the process safety requirements for equipment and products

PLANNING
- Pro-actively manage trialling programme to minimise downtime.
- Be flexible in planning demands to change programme at short notice where possible.
- Manage timelines for projects based on SU requirements

OPERATIONS
- Clearly communicate trial plan to operational teams.
- Manage trial planning for process engineers including material ordering in conjunction with category planners, material validation, trial protocol and reporting.
- Agree sign-off of new materials, processes or methods with area owner.

ENGINEERING
- Understand how innovation projects technically effect processes in the SU and any changes required to accommodate them.
- Scoping / outline costs for feedback to Category and / or P&I for future projects.
- Management of technical timelines and resource for innovation projects and feedback to stakeholders.

**Resources Managed**

Size of the budget independently managed by the jobholder. Number of people to be managed, capital expenditure, other financials (Turnover/Brands/Innovations/TTS

Direct financial responsibility for NPI release.

Job holder is responsible for scoping of capex requirements and feedback to senior stakeholders.

Job holder is responsible for signoff of materials for use in production.

**Lateral Contacts**

Key teams/individuals within the organisation/ with whom the position will have to collaborate on a permanent basis to perform its task and the frequency
- Sourcing Unit Leadership Team
- Quality Leadership Team
- SU Innovations team
- Operational teams
- SU Projects Team
- Global and Regional Research and Development
- Planning team
- Material Suppliers
- Category Supply Management
- Category P&I Leaders / Planners

**ALL ABOUT YOU**
- Operational experience from packing / make within SU
- Knowledge of material management / SAP
- Awareness of quality checks required in production
- Awareness of HACCP / GMP requirements for manufacturing
- Stakeholder Management/ Communication
- Effective Influencing skills
- Project management experience

**NOTES**

**About Unilever**

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Food, Home and Personal Care products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2 billion consumers a day. Unilever has more than 400 brands found in homes around the world, including Dove, Tresemme, Lynx, Lifebuoy, Shea Moisture, Persil, Domestos, Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum, Marmite, The Vegetarian Butcher, Graze and Pot Noodle.

Faced with the challenge of climate change and the need for human development, we want to move towards a world where everyone can live well and within the natural limits of the planet. That’s why our purpose is ‘to make sustainable living commonplace

**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, a