BW S&T Soft Matter / Colloid Science Research Manager presso Unilever

Role Description: BW S&T Soft Matter / Colloid Science Research Manager Work Level: WL 2ABackground: The role of the Science & Technology team is to deliver breakthrough technologies and differentiated innovations to meet the needs and preferences of our consumers around the world. Within the Beauty & Wellbeing division, we are building new, world-class capability to help us develop innovations that out-perform the competition and build equity for our leading brands. An opportunity has arisen for a Soft Matter / Colloid Science Research Manager to join the Science and Technology Physical and Chemical Sciences team at Port Sunlight and the Materials Innovation Factory, to contribute to the on-going development and optimisation of product formulations for the Beauty & Wellbeing Division. BW is a growth engine for Unilever and the S&T PCS team is expanding to support the ambitions of the business. This new role will specialise in Colloid Science, with a strong focus on characterisation and formulation rules and will leverage digital tools, automation, and modelling which are key enablers for advancing the agenda of the Physical and Chemical Science team. The successful candidate will join the PCS team at an exciting time, with the opportunity to influence and lead the development of next generation automation techniques to create the BW formulations of tomorrow, and to help shape the direction and culture within the team.Purpose: Reporting into the Team Leader for Colloid & Characterisation Science, the job-holder will lead one or more work-streams in the Physical Chemical Sciences team within the Hair, Skin Care or Wellbeing categories. Assignments for the job-holder will be focused on opportunities to develop formulation rules based on colloid science and characterisation understanding and to make a shaping contribution to the capability-build programme on measurements, automation and digital tools. The job-holder will be expected to contribute pro-actively to the leadership of the PCS Team in general and the Colloid & Characterisation Science Team in particular. We would expect the job holder to take on line management responsibilities initially or in the near future. Key Responsibilities:Programme delivery: Lead one or more workstream(s) in the Physical Chemical Sciences team delivering into the Hair, Skin care or Wellbeing categories. Through the development and application of Colloid Science, define technical direction and create product technologies to meet project milestones agreed with Project Leader and/or PCS Director or relevant Stakeholder Category Leader. Where appropriate, work with relevant Category Global Business Group colleagues to transfer technologies into the category Innovation Programme, based on proof-of-principle of consumer efficacy and robust mechanistic understanding supported by experimental evidence. Support the development of next generation automation techniques for formulation making, creation of microstructure and measurements workflows. Business relationships: Maintain effective working relationships within own workstream and project team, providing direction & disseminating information to team members and providing organisational structure to support delivery. Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders within S&T and category Business Group. As appropriate to technology development area, build relationships with relevant external partners (suppliers, Open Innovation Providers, academic contacts). Ensure protection of intellectual property through engagement with patent department colleagues and establish fit-for-purpose links with Regulatory, SEAC and procurement contacts. New business-relevant insights: Identify new insights and opportunities for Beauty and Wellbeing product technologies based on emerging capabilities, materials and trends, and work with category stakeholders to include within the strategic agenda. Science base & capability build: Provide technical understanding and leadership within the Formulation, Colloid and Characterisation capability area and the automation and digital tools space. Provide coordination & leadership for PCS team members engaged in Colloid Science and automation development and application. People/Skills development: Engage with BW PCS and category leadership teams as a pro-active team member, accepting responsibility for delivery of shared leadership agenda. Encourage professional excellence behaviours within the Group, and help maintain an environment which encourages a community of practice. Science/External networks: Maintain contacts with other Unilever and MIF teams engaged in formulation rules and colloid / characterisation and automation capability-build agenda. Build and retain effective networks with relevant external collaborators, e.g. academic in field of physical chemistry, suppliers, industry associations or equivalent. Provide inputs to inform external collaboration agreements where appropriate. General activities: Contribute to leadership activities and strategic direction within the S&T PCS team level within the organisation, in order to ensure delivery and future progression of the Personal Care Discover programme.Skills/Experience:PhD in physical sciences or equivalent research background; a background in physical chemistry is preferredProven track record in the development and application of principles, methods and applications of colloid science, characterisation and formulation rules understanding.Strong Interest or awareness of automation and digital tools applied to colloid science / physical chemistry challengesExcellent communication, interpersonal and strategic influencing skillsAwareness of project management processes and delivering to tight deadlines Evidence of ability to develop strong scientific networksEvidence of strong leadership potential and the ability to deliver through othersKey Competencies:Passion for High Performance, Agility, Personal Mastery, Accountability & Responsibility, Builds Talent and Teams Candidarsi ora