Unilever Industrial Placement Programme - Supply Chain - Technical UK

Unilever; Port Sunlight; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Subsidised Gym Memberships

Discounted Staff Shop

Hybrid working environment

Job summary

Unilever offers a 12‑month Industrial Placement Programme in the United Kingdom for penultimate-year undergraduates. You’ll gain real responsibility from day one, be mentored, and relocate to sites such as Port Sunlight or Leeds. Roles span Supply Chain and Technical tracks with exposure to live business challenges and a structured development journey.

Starting June 2027, the placement includes a competitive salary and benefits, with hybrid/w orking arrangements to support learning and growth.

Qualifications

• Students must have completed the penultimate year of their undergraduate degree by the time they start their placement.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills are essential.
• Interest in Supply Chain and a STEM mindset preferred.

Responsibilities

• Launch the newest Beauty and Personal Care innovations.
• Support sustainable engineering projects across UK factories.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver on-time, quality results.

Skills

Data analytics

Problem solving

Proactivity

Communication

Stakeholder management

MS Office

Education

Penultimate year student

Job description

Our Unilever Industrial Placement (IP) Programme is designed for students who are completing a year in industry as part of their degree studies. In the UK, our IP programme is a 12‑month development scheme, for which we recruit top‑performing undergraduate talent, with fresh ideas who are eager to gain exposure to real‑world challenges. All new joiners are given real responsibility from day one and have an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the business. Alongside this, they receive one‑to‑one mentoring and support to aid their development and help them achieve their goals. These programmes provide a variety of experiences, enabling individuals to learn, grow, develop personally and professionally, build confidence and gain a comprehensive understanding of the business.

About Unilever

Unilever is one of the world’s leading FMCG companies, home to iconic brands including Dove, Vaseline, TRESemmé, Lynx, Persil, Domestos, Surf, Radox, Sure and Liquid I.V. Through products used by millions of people every day, we help improve health, wellbeing, confidence and care around the world. Established over 100 years ago, Unilever has a proud heritage of innovation and a long‑standing belief that great brands, great people and responsible business go hand in hand. Today, we are transforming into a faster, more focused growth company centred on Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care and Home Care. Through world‑class brands, cutting‑edge science and technology, digital innovation and AI‑enabled capabilities, we are building unmissably superior products and experiences for consumers around the world. A career at Unilever offers the opportunity to work at global scale while helping shape the future of some of the world’s most recognised brands. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, bringing curiosity, creativity and passion to solve real business challenges and make a meaningful impact every day.

What do we look for?

For our Technical roles, we are looking for students studying a STEM discipline. For our Non‑Technical roles, we are open to students from any background who have an appetite for Supply Chain. Students must have completed the penultimate year of their undergraduate degree by the time they start their placement and be returning to study after their placement. With a strong performance culture, challenging goals, and continuous feedback, we will support you to achieve your potential in an inclusive environment. You will thrive by gaining exposure to real business challenges where your energy and fresh thinking will have an impact. First‑hand experience—it’s the fastest way to learn. Our Supply Chain Management Industrial Placements are a chance to showcase your ambition, thinking, and skills, with total support from a line manager and a buddy. Most of our roles are based at our Port Sunlight, Leeds, Burton and Kingston sites, and applicants must be able to relocate to any of our UK locations.

Positions you could be allocated to include

• Supply Chain Technical Process Engineer at our Leeds or Port Sunlight factories, working to eliminate defects, losses, and waste, and increase the stability of our production lines.
• Process Engineering role in a fast‑paced factory, supporting initiatives including LPG tank inspections, Faberge Silverson upgrades, Raw Material Tote Stations as well as support process changes linked to the launch of All Over Body Spray and Neutral Roll‑On. This position offers a dynamic opportunity to influence operational efficiency, enhance safety standards, and support innovation. Contribute to projects focused on improving operational efficiency, sustainability, and technology adoption. Responsibilities may include data collection and analysis, process improvement support, and assisting in the development of digital tools and resources. This role offers exposure to real‑world challenges, cross‑functional collaboration, and innovation.

Day‑to‑day role include

• Helping launch the newest Beauty and Personal Care innovation.
• Helping to deliver sustainable engineering projects at one of our UK factories.
• Working in our UK/head office, ensuring our products arrive on time and in full at our customers!

Skills required

• Data analytics & data‑driven decision making
• Strong problem‑solvingability
• Proactivity
• Effective communication & business partnering
• Stakeholdermanagement
• Microsoft Office skills (Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint)

Programme details

Location: Technical – You will be based in Port Sunlight or Leeds factories with factory shift patterns of 5 days a week.

Applications open: Monday 14 September 2026

Applications close: This is a rolling deadline, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment in case applications close early.

Start date: June 2027

Industrial Placement (IP) Application Process

Stage 1 – Online Application & IP Simulation: Complete an online application form before completing our interactive IP simulation, designed to give you insight into our organisation and the programme you’re applying for. This will prepare you for a series of situational judgement questions based on realistic business scenarios.

Stage 2 – Online Assessments: Complete a numerical reasoning assessment, an online test that measures your ability to interpret and draw conclusions from numerical data and verbal Reasoning assessment an online test that measures your ability to understand and evaluate written information.

Stage 3 – Digital Interview: Complete a video interview. Please note, we do not use AI as a screening tool in our recruitment process therefore, your digital interview submission will be reviewed by a real person.

Stage 4 – Pre‑Screening Interview: Attend a virtual pre‑screening interview with a member of our recruitment team.

Stage 5 – In‑Person Discovery Centre: Attend an in‑person discovery centre alongside fellow candidates. This will give you the opportunity to visit a Unilever office, meet and interview with business leaders, and work on function‑related business challenges.

What Can Unilever offer YOU?

• A competitive Salary of £27,898.00
• End of Placement Bonus
• Subsidised Gym Memberships – availability varies by site
• Discounted Staff Shop
• Opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.
• 28 days (pro rata) of holiday inclusive of bank holidays. Once you have completed 12 worked weeks, under the Agency Workers Regulation your holiday entitlement will increase to 33 days inclusive of bank holidays, pro rata for the term of this placement.
• Opportunity to join one of our Future Careers Development Teams such as Outreach, Digi, Community & Wellbeing and many more!
• A dedicated buddy to help you onboard and learn about the business.
• An experienced Line Manager to develop your knowledge and understanding across the year.
• To find out more about Future Careers at Unilever UK, check out our Instagram page!

At Unilever, diversity is about embracing differences, championing inclusion, creating possibilities, and growing together for better business performance. Join our vibrant and inclusive workplace that champions diversity and inclusion.

We give full and fair consideration to all applicants, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.

We are a key advocate of well‑being 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.

Do you require any adjustments in the application or assessment process? If you have any questions about your application, require reasonable adjustments to complete any part of the application process or wish to discuss any mitigating circumstances, please contact the Talent Acquisition team using the following details. If adjustments are required, the team will reach out to discuss available accessibility options. E.g., If required extending time spent in any ‘timebound’ assessments/interviews. We also provide accessibility options such as magnifying glass, decrease/increase font size, change font & colour, screen ruler, screen mask for everyone who would require support. [e-mail].