Product Developer

Unilever; Sharnbrook; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consumer goods company seeks a Specification Technologist to enhance the quality of their Ice Cream product specifications. The candidate will act as the primary contact for PLM systems, support data cleansing for optimal specification quality, and collaborate across various teams. Candidates should have a technical degree and experience with PLM systems, along with excellent attention to detail and communication skills.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Diversity and inclusion initiatives

Qualifications

• Experience in our PLM system is essential.
• Understanding of Ice Cream specifications hierarchies is mandatory.
• Excellent communication and time management skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as PLM expert ensuring specifications are kept up to date.
• Support data cleansing activities to improve spec quality.
• Liaise with various teams for guidance on specification details.

Skills

Attention to detail

Strong understanding of Excel

Ability to manipulate large sets of data

Education

Degree level qualification in a technical discipline

Tools

PLM system

PowerBI

Job description

time left to apply End Date: September 1, 2025 (12 days left to apply)

job requisition id R-69852

Please Note: The deadline for applying is 23.59 the day before the job posting end date.

Job Title: Specification technologist role
Location: Colworth
Work Level: 1C
Business Function: R&D

JOB PURPOSE

Unilever’s Ice cream business in Europe is large and highly successful. The EU Ice Cream R&D team is the driving force behind the creation and delivery of benefit-led, innovative ice cream products across our world-renowned global (e.g. Magnum, Carte d’Or, Cornetto, Walls), premium (e.g. B&J, GROM) and regional (e.g. Cremissimo, Ingman, Evga, Cucciolone) brands.

The team embrace agile innovation and are fully connected to countries and markets to land global, regional, and local projects in the markets. The business reaches across all Ice Cream experiences from familiar in-home tubs, pints and mono portions and out of home scooping to global and local classics and kid’s favourites.

In this role you will be the R&D first point of contact for PLM and other digital & data platforms which integrate with this system and linked activities (PLM, Pharos, PowerBI). You will lead data cleansing activities to both review and improve the quality of specifications within the RDC portfolio and support activities to identify and improve WoW within these workstreams. This will support the transition activities for the business as it sets up as an independent company thus ensuring operational readiness for when the company becomes a standalone entity.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as PLM expert with a focus on ensuring specifications are kept up to date and of a high-quality standard. Work towards becoming a PLM Superuser
• Support review of European portfolio with regards to data cleansing activities to ensure that spec quality is optimal, and supports smooth transition of Ice Cream specification to the new IC company systems/set-up
• Responsible for editing and maintaining RDC product specification hierarchies which enables the team to deliver project initiatives, both innovation and renovation.
• Support and highlight improvements in efficiencies for our digital and data systems and WoW with key cross functional partners (Marketing Ops)
• Support the onboarding of new starters to PLM in terms of upskilling in PLM ways of working.
• Become an expert in other digital and data systems which are routinely used during AW season (Prisma, Power BI, Pharos)
• Support AW season activities to ensure delivery of the Destination portfolio and key innovation projects thus support the European IC business
• Support Offshore Data team and local RD&I colleagues with regards to ongoing questions regarding specification and PLM ways of working.
• Liaise with MET teams for a support/guidance with regarding to missing technical details
• Contribute to the overall success of the EU RD&I team by supporting teams and unit events as required.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• R&D EU Specifications Manager
• PLM Super User network & Global Specification Manager
• RD&I team (primarily Colworth based, but some support for local RD&I colleagues required during AW season)
• Off-Shore Data Management team – provide guidance and support on upskilling and specification approvals
• Global & European Supply Chain (factories, planning, quality, etc.) and Procurement Teams
• Technical R&D specialists (CTI, Processing, Packaging, Formulation, Nutritionist, Digital & Data)
• MET team

ALL ABOUT YOU

• Experience in our PLM system is essential. Ideally, the successful candidate will have a good understanding of Ice Cream specifications hierarchies (mandatory) and good working knowledge of Sourcing unit requirements (ZBW, Plant recipe creation and maintenance)
• Some understanding of ice cream formulations and working knowledge/understanding of key ingredients used in products would be preferred. However, candidates from outside of Ice Cream will also be considered as formulation details can be learnt whilst in role.
• Excellent attention to detail and good at spotting errors in systems. Plus ability to correct these as and where necessary.
• Ability to raise concerns about potential errors in specifications to relevant parties (LM, team, SU’s). The successful candidate will build a strong network across the EU IC business to help resolve these challenges.
• Ability to investigate and resolve specification related issues.
• Strong understanding of Excel and ability to manipulate large sets of data
• Demonstrate ability to quickly learn new systems and ways of working
• Excellent communication, time management and priority setting
• Degree level qualification (or equivalent) and / or relevant experience in a technical discipline
• Diligent, rigorous and accurate in the ability to collate information from multiple sources

LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOURS

• Purposeful impact
• Personal mastery
• Agility
• Passion for high performance

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Occasional short business-trips within Europe may be required.

NOTES

Please apply via this portal as e-mail applications may not be processed and include your Future Fit Plan if possible.

By applying for this vacancy, you are confirming that you have made your Line Manager aware of your application and that you are at a point in your career with Unilever where it is appropriate for you to be applying for other positions.

Should you require additional information or reasonable adjustments to allow you to present your best self during this process, please contact your Talent Partner Ian Miles on [e-mail]

What we offer

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 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 embrace diversity in our workforce. 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.We are also more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to be present your best self. To find out more, including about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (unilever.com) .

Relocation to the UK

Please be aware if you are applying for this role from outside the UK, if successful, your application will be treated as a self-initiated Change Location Outside of Country (CLOC) transfer. This means any relocation costs must be self-funded with the potential to reclaim some specific pre-approved expenses up to £5,000. Please speak to your Talent Partner if you have any questions.

About Us

We are one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies with amazing brands, dynamic people and a sustainable vision. We meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life. If you are ambitious, keen to learn and want lo lead, you have come to the right place. Explore our website and apply to be part of a company with more than 400 brands used by over two billion people everyday.