Formulation Scientist

Unilever Brazil; Leeds; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A global consumer goods company in Leeds is seeking a Formulation Scientist to develop and test deodorant formulations. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Chemistry and laboratory experience, with strong analytical and project management skills. The role offers a competitive salary, annual bonus, and hybrid working environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Subsidised gym membership

Discounted staff shop

Shares

Qualifications

• Degree level in Chemistry preferable with some laboratory experience in formulation development.
• Understanding of ingredients and ability to modify formulations.
• Analytical capability to analyse and interpret data.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver technology development and testing programmes.
• Carry out qualitative and quantitative technical testing.
• Provide documentation for prototype products.

Skills

Laboratory experience

Analytical capability

Project management

Effective communication

Education

Degree in Chemistry

Tools

Unilever software for specifications

Job description

Job Title: Formulation Scientist

Location: Leeds Office and R&D

Travel: 5%

Job Purpose

This role focuses on the development and testing of new deodorant formulations for global/regional rollout.

Key Challenges

• Taking responsibility for planning and delivering the technology development and testing programme for projects and/or the longer‑term technology roadmap, ensuring all testing is completed to meet network timings and/or project brief.
• Addressing formulation/product issues as they arise, for example fragrance and formulation instability.

Working at a global level as the main formulation contact, dealing with technical queries from other areas of the business; GDC’s, regions, marketing, SEAC, Supply chain.

Responsibilities

• Understand the functions of raw materials and their role within specific formulations. When required, under guidance of senior WL1’s adapt and develop new formulations delivering into the formulation workstream that deliver to the product benefits and requirements e.g., claims as outlined on the brief.
• Formulate in autonomy to contribute to technical projects by planning and executing technical testing, interpreting results, troubleshooting technical issues, generating support for claims, preparing reports, communicating results to the team, and contributing towards 5S initiatives.
• Provide supporting documentation, e.g., safety clearance, for prototype products for both internal and external testing, including consumer/claims testing.
• Carry out relevant qualitative and quantitative technical testing to ensure products are fit for market/consumer testing including specialist testing where required.
• Utilise Unilever software to create specifications, CFDs etc. that are used for safety and regulatory clearance and used for setting specifications.
• Be aware of key competitors in the applicator area and develop formulation expertise to understand implications for Unilever products and brands. Be aware of tools for protecting intellectual property when reporting information.
• Keep laboratory files/records, SOP’s, risk assessments, COSHH, etc. up to date. Design and implement new protocols and testing techniques with guidance as necessary from senior WL1’s.
• Effectively communicate with different functional areas of the business to ensure deadlines are met. Attend and contribute to technical team meetings where necessary with guidance from senior WL1’s or WL2’s.
• Actively participate in departmental initiatives, processes and maintain high standards of laboratory housekeeping and safety. Support training and provide technical support for colleagues.
• Prepare relevant documentation for laboratory technicians such as batch sheets, gassing sheets, results templates for capturing data in relevant Unilever software.

Experience

• Education – Degree level in Chemistry preferable with some laboratory experience in formulation development.
• Formulation Chemistry – Understanding of ingredients; ability to modify and manipulate formulations.
• Evaluate and understand interactions between ingredients within formulation/process/pack.
• Analytical capability – analyse and interpret data.
• Design of experiments/protocol development.
• Designing new products/CFDs to specific briefs that deliver consumer insights e.g., 72hrs claims.
• Intellectual property understanding.
• Technical Knowledge of Supply chain, CTI and fragrance development processes.
• Physical stability assessment capability.
• Understanding consumer insights and needs.
• Information management – knowledge capture, reporting.
• Stakeholder management – working with external & internal partners.
• Project management.
• Strategic implementation.
• Health & safety regulations and processes.
• Effective communication.
• Digital skills.

Additional Information

• Limited travel with overnight stays may be necessary.
• Full EU driving licence is desirable.

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.

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.

Equal Opportunity

Unilever is an inclusive workplace, 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 provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to present your best self.