Design & Technology Manager

Unilever; Trumbull (CT); On-site; USD 103,000 - 154,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligible

LTI eligible

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Unilever in Trumbull, CT seeks a Design & Technology Manager to lead Horizon 2/3 technology strategy across Wellbeing Collective brands, driving breakthrough innovations and cross-functional collaboration.

Based in the USA, you will build a pipeline of transformational projects, manage external partnerships, and ensure regulatory compliance while advancing products internationally.

Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Science, Engineering, Technology Management, or related discipline.
• 8+ years’ experience in technology innovation, R&D leadership, or product development (consumer health, wellness preferred).
• Proven track record in technology scouting, open innovation, and strategic partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Lead Horizon 2/3 technology strategy and execution across Wellbeing Collective brands.
• Identify, incubate, and assess emerging technologies for future pipeline integration.
• Build and manage a pipeline of transformational projects from ideation to scale-up.
• Develop new products and improve formulations through science-led innovation.
• Optimize and validate formulations for quality, scalability, and regulatory compliance.
• Design experiments to evaluate ingredients, formats, and delivery systems.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

External partnerships

Collaboration

Education

Master’s or PhD in Science/Engineering/Tech Management

Tools

Technology management tools

Job description

Join us as Design & Technology Manager

Location: Trumbull, CT

Terms & Conditions: Full time, International assignment is not available for this role and relocation for local and international candidates is not provided

ABOUT UNILEVER:

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. We work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.

WHO ARE WE?

We are the Global Wellbeing team focused on one of Unilever’s largest growth opportunities – the €140bn Wellbeing space defined by Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements (VMS).

OUR BUSINESS:

Unilever’s Wellbeing Collective Group (WBC) holds the company’s health and wellness brands and the portfolio of brands that includes Equilibra (Italy) and US acquired brands Olly, Liquid IV, Nutrafol, SmartyPants, Welly and Onnit. Each brand is completely unique and focused on giving consumers superior experiences within their respective spaces and target segments. We are committed to continuing to grow this strategic business for Unilever by leveraging the full strength of Unilever’s capabilities and expanding the reach of our portfolio internationally. We work in an agile, fast-moving environment, collaboratively within the team and with our Unilever colleagues around the world. We work in a project-based, networked way where everyone needs to be able to take a step back and think strategically, as well as roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty, to be entrepreneurial and experiment, as well as bring in the best of Unilever and work the structures of a large company, and to take charge and lead, as well as follow and support others.

WHO ARE WE?

We are the Global Wellbeing team focused on one of Unilever’s largest growth opportunities – the €140bn Wellbeing space defined by Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements (VMS).

OUR BUSINESS:

Unilever’s Wellbeing Collective Group (WBC) holds the company’s health and wellness brands and the portfolio of brands that includes Equilibra (Italy) and US acquired brands Olly, Liquid IV, Nutrafol, SmartyPants, Welly and Onnit. Each brand is completely unique and focused on giving consumers superior experiences within their respective spaces and target segments. We are committed to continuing to grow this strategic business for Unilever by leveraging the full strength of Unilever’s capabilities and expanding the reach of our portfolio internationally. We work in an agile, fast-moving environment, collaboratively within the team and with our Unilever colleagues around the world. We work in a project-based, networked way where everyone needs to be able to take a step back and think strategically, as well as roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty, to be entrepreneurial and experiment, as well as bring in the best of Unilever and work the structures of a large company, and to take charge and lead, as well as follow and support others.

JOB PURPOSE:

The Horizon 3 Technology Manager will lead the identification, development, and deployment of breakthrough technologies and disruptive innovations across all Wellbeing Collective brands. Based out of Trumbull, USA, this strategic role focuses on leveraging both external and internal innovation opportunities, rigorously assessing them for future pipeline fitment and transformational impact. The incumbent will drive cross-functional collaboration, external partnerships, and technology scouting to ensure the Wellbeing Collective remains at the forefront of global innovation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead Horizon 2/3 technology strategy and execution across Wellbeing Collective brands.
• Identify, incubate, and assess emerging technologies and innovations for future pipeline integration.
• Build and manage a pipeline of transformational projects from ideation to scale-up.
• Develop new products and improve formulations through science-led innovation.
• Optimize and validate formulations to ensure quality, scalability, and regulatory compliance.
• Design and execute experiments to evaluate ingredients, formats, and delivery systems; translate insights into decisions.
• Establish technologies and processes for lab- and pilot-scale development to enable commercialization.
• Define and manage specifications across formulation, process, packaging, and quality systems.
• Troubleshoot technical and manufacturing challenges to ensure robust product performance.
• Ensure compliance with all statutory, regulatory, and legal requirements.
• Apply analytical techniques to characterize product attributes and meet quality benchmarks.
• Support shelf-life and stability programs; drive improvements to enhance product longevity.
• Collaborate cross-functionally (Packaging, CMI, Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory, Brand) to deliver innovation.
• Build strong internal and external networks, including partnerships with research organizations, startups, and academia.
• Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory developments.
• Ensure governance, risk management, safety, and environmental compliance in all activities.
• Maintain accurate R&D documentation, including formulations, data, and SOPs.
• Uphold safety, quality, and environmental standards across lab and manufacturing environments.
• Anticipate and mitigate technical, regulatory, and competitive risks.
• Communicate progress, insights, and recommendations to senior stakeholders.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s or PhD in Science, Engineering, Technology Management, or related discipline.
• Minimum 8+ years’ experience in technology innovation, R&D leadership, or product development (preferably in consumer health, dietary supplements, or wellness industries).
• Proven track record of delivering transformational innovation and managing complex, cross-functional projects.
• Strong expertise in technology scouting, open innovation, and strategic partnerships.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working with external partners, contractors, and global teams.
• Deep understanding of emerging technology trends, regulatory environments, and consumer needs.
• Proficiency in technology management tools and platforms.

Pay:

The pay range for this position is $103,000 to $154,400. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs.

Bonus:

This position is bonus eligible.

Long-Term Incentive (LTI):

This position is LTI eligible.

Benefits:

Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable

At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee.

Unilever Is An Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons With Disabilities.

For more information on your federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at [e-mail]. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.