PC Regulatory Affairs UK GDC Assistant Manager at Unilever

Function: Research & Development - Regulatory Affairs
Work Level: 1D
Reports to: Selina Musalia, Personal Care, Regulatory Affairs UK Global Design Center lead.
Scope: Personal Care UK Global Design Center, Innovation Support
Location: Port Sunlight UK– local terms apply
Terms & Conditions: Full time

BACKGROUND & JOB PURPOSE

As part of the UK GDC Personal Care Regulatory Affairs team you will support the Personal Care Innovation Programs by providing regulatory input to the UK GDC PC Research and Development innovations.

You will support the delivery of significant business impact & growth by contributing and enabling a clear route to market for UK GDC-led innovation projects that target multiple BUs. You will be part of a team monitoring global regulations and provide support to ensure that plans are in place to ensure product compliance.

You will collaborate with PC Regulatory Affairs GDC leads, SERS, BG Product Safety, BU RA Innovation leads, S&T lead, GDC R&D managers, external affairs, sustainability leads, procurement, CC&A and supply chain leads to ensure seamless regulatory input into global processes.
The role would ideally suit a regulatory affairs assistant looking to further develop their regulatory affairs career , especially as part of a global team or an R&D professional looking to move into regulatory affairs.


WHAT YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES WILL BE

The role will be focused on supporting innovation programs and activities for projects originating from the UK GDC.

Innovation


• Ensures timely regulatory input to the PC innovations being led by UK GDC.
• Delivers day-to-day regulatory guidance and operational inputs to the relevant PC innovation programs for deodorants and skin-cleansing projects. Ensuring on time, in full regulatory assessments.
• Is an expert on regulations governing Personal Care products in general. Follow regulatory developments which impact personal care products and work with BU RA Leads to understand the challenges and opportunities of these regulatory developments including supporting impact assessments.
• Contributes to identify and shape advocacy plans as necessary.
• Maintains an up-to-date overview of the UK GDC R&D innovation program.
• Facilitates the drafting, shaping and maintenance of the regulatory strategies for the relevant projects.
• Is an advocate for ensuring regulatory governance within the UK GDC team, especially ensuring that the regulatory assessment process is embedded and implemented.
• Provide support on issue management and De-risking activities for UK GDC led projects in collaboration with the PC Issues Management Team and other GDC.
• Develop knowledge to become an expert on regulatory developments which impact PC packaging programs for the UK GDC , and in collaboration with External Affairs ensure that these developments are fed into the PC packaging projects. Will also ensure advocacy needs are communicated effectively to the external affairs team.
• Provides expertise to support local teams and project teams responds effectively and with speed to questions in the packaging regulatory space.
• PC point of contact for Fragrance team members. Keeps abreast of activities of the SERS fragrance teams and informs RA members of any new developments.


WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

Qualifications& Experience
a. Minimum BSc in a relevant subject (Chemistry, Biology, Toxicology, Pharmacology, Environmental Science, Product Science/Technology, Regulatory Affairs)
b. Minimum of 3-5 years relevant experience in a European FMCG environment
c. Experience in product development or regulatory affairs
d. Experience working with cosmetics
e. Proven record of working collaboratively at the interface of regulatory affairs, external affairs, SERS and R&D.

Technical Skills
These reflect the core capabilities required to deliver in the role, aligned with the responsibilities outlined in the job description:
1. Regulatory Expertise: Strong working knowledge of cosmetic legislation including UK, EU, US, LATAM regulations, ingredient restrictions, claims substantiation, and packaging compliance.
2. Innovation & Claims Support: Skilled in conducting claims risk assessments and supporting the development of claims guardrails.
3. Digital Tool Proficiency: Quick digital tools adoption and advocate for digitization
4. Packaging: Familiarity with packaging regulations.
5. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to develop strong working relationships with other R&D functions
6. Excellent technical communication skills demonstrating ability to convey complex regulatory scenarios to stakeholders.
7. Self-motivated with a high level of initiative and persistence and hands-on approach to the delivery of results

Leadership Requirements
These qualities reflect the expectations for a WL1 Assistant Manager and align with Unilever’s leadership standards:
1. Results Orientation
• Demonstrates ownership and accountability for delivering timely, high-quality regulatory input.
• Energized by achieving tangible outcomes and continuously seeks process improvements.
2. Proactive Problem Solving
• Anticipates regulatory challenges and identifies de-risking opportunities early in the innovation process.
• Uses evidence and data to propose practical, compliant solutions.
3. Collaboration & Influence
• Builds strong relationships across functions and geographies.
• Acts as a connector between global, regional, and local regulatory teams to ensure alignment and knowledge sharing.
4. Digital Advocacy
• Champions the use of digital tools to streamline regulatory workflows.
• Contributes to tool improvement initiatives and supports issue resolution.
5. External Orientation
• Keeps abreast of evolving EU/UK regulations and industry trends.
• Contributes to advocacy efforts and represents regulatory interests in cross-functional forums.


7. Unilever Leadership Behaviours
Behaviour Description
Stay three steps ahead Anticipate regulatory risks and opportunities early.
Focus on what counts Prioritise high-impact activities that enable innovation and compliance.
Deliver with excellence Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and quality in all regulatory deliverables.
Care deeply Champion consumer safety, sustainability, and ethical compliance.