R&D Digital and Operational Excellence Manager

Job Title: R&D Digital and Operational Excellence Manager

Location: Colworth Science Park

JOB PURPOSE

Pepsi Lipton is a joint venture between Unilever and PepsiCo operating in the ready-to-drink Tea segment globally with three well-established brands Lipton, Brisk and Pure Leaf and more recent acquisitions such as Tazo and T2. Our global business is worth 3.0 billion USD today, growing volume at the rate of 4-5% and with a double digit increase in net revenues. We operate across complex and diverse regions spanning Western Europe to Australia and New Zealand with markets at different stages of development, with different consumer habits and different routes to market via a matrix of franchise, company-owned and third-party manufacturing operating models in which innovation delivery is key enable to accelerate growth.

We have an established global R&D function based in two centres: Colworth UK, and Valhalla US. The centre at Colworth is the primary `hub’ from where the R&D team is focused on the European and AMEA businesses, whilst also supporting global programmes. Colworth is also our lead centre for tea expertise, bringing this to our product and process development to deliver products across our platforms to meet a wide range of consumer benefits and needs.

A role in Pepsi Lipton is a unique experience in which to develop and add value to your career. Pepsi Lipton, although a Joint Venture between Unilever and PepsiCo, operates as a company and has its own Board of Directors. Whilst we have the full backing and support of our two parent companies, our entrepreneurial set up gives us real autonomy. Our roles are broad, our responsibilities big and our experiences even bigger. We have high visibility and great exposure – to senior leadership and to talented colleagues all over the world - It means we need to be impactful, smart influencers.

In order to support our ambitious growth agenda, we are looking for a leader who will help the JV associates and organization to deliver:

Faster: design, evolve, and support R&D digital tools to make it simple for end users to find, adopt and get value from these tools and data Stronger: connect R&D data across the two parent companies, curate data, and draw insights from data Better: empower and enable the user networks to increase their productive with less friction in using the tools. Drive a transformation program that will help connect R&D data to other parts of the business and functions.

To learn more, visit www.liptonicedtea.com.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The position will own the Digital Transformation agenda for Product led R&D and embedding into the R&D Development process.

Ownership covers:

• Data maintenance and upkeep of key digital technical systems and processes used within the Pepsi Lipton teams.
• Tracking improvements/upgrades and cascade progress to stakeholders.
• R&D Point of Contact to provide key data needed for business and target metrics.
• Own training plan for cascade of digital transformation to product development team.
• Build digital transformation roadmap to identify opportunities for data improvement across R&D product development process.
• Lead and implement key digital transformation projects coming from the digital roadmap.
• Be a digital ambassador – promote and drive digital agenda across the team.

Key Interfaces

• EU R&D Director
• R&D Capability/Innovation Senior Manager
• R&D EU Commercialise Senior Manager
• Other R&D Managers
• R&D Product Development Team
• EU Regional SC & Operations Team

ALL ABOUT YOU

Key Skills

• Data and Technical driven mindset
• Knowledge of Technical and R&D functions
• Strong analytical skills
• Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and robust thorough thinking
• Ability to strengthen data for improved function delivery
• Track record of using and working with data and digital toolsets
• Excellent communicator and training ability
• Ability to build strong relationships
• Ability to influence across multiple functions

Relevant Experience

• Degree (or equivalent) in Food Science, Chemical Science or Engineering with proven experience in FMCG in fields related to product or process development/ manufacturing in Foods or Beverages
• Proven digital capability or works experience
• Experience of working in teams and /or training environment
• PLM and systems user experience

Leadership Behaviours

• Purpose & Service
• Personal Mastery
• Agility
• Business Acumen
• Talent Catalyst
• Consumer Love
• Passion for High Performance

Travel Requirements

Occasional short business-trips within Europe may be required.

NOTES

About Unilever

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Food, Home and Personal Care products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2 billion consumers a day. Unilever has more than 400 brands found in homes around the world, including Dove, Tresemme, Lynx, Lifebuoy, Shea Moisture, Persil, Domestos, Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum, Marmite, The Vegetarian Butcher, Graze and Pot Noodle.

Faced with the challenge of climate change and the need for human development, we want to move towards a world where everyone can live well and within the natural limits of the planet. That’s why our purpose is ‘to make sustainable living commonplace’

What We Offer

Not only do we offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, we also offer an annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.

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 are a key advocate of wellbeing 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.

Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities, and growing together for better business performance. We want to push boundaries, and have the flexibility needed to keep adapting in an ever-changing, more dynamic world. This means giving 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.

As part of your hiring journey, we are happy to support requests for reasonable adjustments, to improve your recruitment experience.

To find out more, including more information about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here.

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