Digital Packaging Lead

Unilever; Bedford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A major consumer goods company in the UK is seeking a Digital Packaging Lead to innovate packaging design through data and AI. The role involves developing sustainability tools and virtual testing for packaging, requiring a strong background in packaging science, data analytics, and cross-functional collaboration. This position offers the opportunity to shape the future of ice cream packaging as part of an independent entity by 2025.

Benefits

Career without limits

Performance-driven culture

Global career opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong experience with simulation and modelling tools.
• Proficiency in data analytics and programming.
• Experience with AI or machine learning applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead the creation of digital pack sustainability tools.
• Design and deploy digital decision tools.
• Build virtual testing tools to reduce the need for physical trials.

Skills

Team player

Proven success in cross-functional teams

Education

Degree (MSc/MEng/PhD) in Packaging Science, Materials Science, Chemical/Mechanical Engineering, or Applied Physics

Tools

ANSYS

COMSOL

Python

R

MATLAB

Power BI

Job description

Digital Packaging Lead

Scope

Global, Permanent, Full time

Location

Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, UK

Terms & Conditions

The Ice Cream division at Unilever is preparing to stand on its own, aiming to become an independent, EUR 8.3 billion publicly listed company by the end of 2025. We’re on a mission to create the ultimate snacking company. A place where growth, innovation, founder and ownership mentality, and performance are cultivated and rewarded. And where we craft extraordinary ice cream experiences - transforming ordinary moments into lasting memories. Because we know, life tastes better with ice cream.

ABOUT THE MAGNUM ICE CREAM COMPANY

The Magnum Ice Cream Company is all about growth. Growing our business. Growing our customers’ businesses. Growing our people’s careers. Growth begins with empowerment. So we free our people to be innovative, responsible entrepreneurs, driven and equipped to give our consumers more amazing products and unforgettable moments – and having fun doing it.

With 19.000 expert ice cream colleagues and iconic brands like Wall’s, Cornetto and Ben & Jerry’s, loved in 76 countries, we are the world’s largest Ice Cream company leading the industry. We have been taking pleasure seriously for more than 100 years, serving happiness with every lick or scoop of ice cream for generations.

We are investing to unlock the full growth potential of The Magnum Ice Cream Company as a standalone entity, once we separate from Unilever, which is planned to happen before the end of 2025.

We dream big but keep things simple to act fast.

If you want to grow with us, make an impact, and shape the future of Ice Cream, this is the place for you!

JOB PURPOSE

The Digital Packaging Lead will be at the forefront of transforming how we design, test, and validate packaging materials through data, modelling, and AI.

Sitting within the Digital & Data Team, and working very closely with the Packaging Expertise Team, the job holder will create and deploy digital tools, simulations, and AI workflows that enable virtual testing, reduce physical trials, and accelerate innovation across packaging development and assessment.

This role will unlock the power of in silico design, AI-assisted lab testing, and digital sustainability decision tools in realising the strategic packaging ambitions of the The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the creation of digital pack sustainability tools that quantify and visualise environmental impact, recyclability, and compliance against evolving legislation
• Working closely with the packaging team, define and implement data capture standards for packaging trials, tests, and digital simulations.
• Ensure packaging data is structured and accessible for modelling, AI, and sustainability analysis.
• Design and deploy digital decision tools that integrate technical and business data — for example, tools to analyse EU country-specific taxes and duties based on pack recyclability, composition, and sales
• Build tools to compare current vs. proposed packaging formats (e.g., for innovations, renovations, or new materials) based on cost, sustainability, and recyclability.
• Working with automation experts in the Digital & Data team, co-develop hybrid digital-physical testing workflows integrating simulations, robotics, and lab analytics
• Build virtual testing tools to reduce the need for physical trials
• Develop and deploy packaging simulation models to predict mechanical, barrier, shelf-life, and recyclability performance.
• Working with the packaging team, create and validate digital twins for packaging manufacturing and e-commerce transit trials — enabling virtual performance assessment before physical builds.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

SKILLS

Team player, proven success of working in cross-functional technical and data science teams

EXPERIENCES & QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree (MSc/MEng/PhD) in Packaging Science, Materials Science, Chemical/Mechanical Engineering, or Applied Physics.
• Strong experience with simulation and modelling tools (e.g., ANSYS, COMSOL, Abaqus, LS-Dyna, or similar).
• Proficiency in data analytics and programming (Python, R, MATLAB, Power BI, or equivalent).
• Experience developing digital tools or dashboards for packaging, manufacturing, or sustainability decision-making.
• Proven success working in cross-functional technical and data science teams
• Experience with AI or machine learning applications in materials or mechanical modelling.
• Knowledge of e-commerce packaging performance and digital transit simulation.

LEADERSHIP

We are looking for bold, driven individuals who thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and share our approach to growth, collaboration, and innovation.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

• A unique mix of global scale & start-up spirit—€8.3bn powerhouse with an agile, entrepreneurial mindset. We’re building a new high growth Ice Cream company from the ground up.
• Career without limits—42 markets, international opportunities, and fast tracked growth.
• A performance-driven culture—Freedom to act, disrupt and grow – your success is measured by impact.
• A company that celebrates joy, innovation, and purpose—We create extraordinary careers, just like our ice cream creates extraordinary moments.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

As publicly announced, Unilever will separate its Ice Cream business which is expected by the end of 2025. This role will transfer to the new Ice Cream company.

Unilever embraces diversity and encourages applicants from all walks of life. 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.

For the recruitment of this position, we would like to emphasize that local conditions apply to the position

ARE YOU EXCITED TO CRAFT THE ICE CREAM FUTURE?

To apply, you must do so online. Please do not forget to upload your CV and a motivation letter.

Your application will be reviewed against our requirements, and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date to provide you with an update on the status of your application.

Disclaimer

Equal Opportunity Employer: Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

We take pleasure seriously. Join the Ice Cream team now!