Your Future Employer
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 R&D, we require a strong technical qualification in a Chemical, Biological, Physical or Data Science or closely related disciplines. We also accept Material and Engineering-related disciplines.
- Motivated, authentic, and ambitious future leaders who can apply their qualification expertise in a business context
- A forward-thinking and passionate leader to contribute towards a cleaner, more sustainable future through exciting innovations.
- Visionaries that will fall in love with the problem, not the solution - we need people who are hungry to solve some of the industry’s biggest challenges (sustainability for instance). Impact at this scale takes time!
- Collaborative & inclusive individuals who are excited to work alongside an international network to create superior products for our consumers.
The role: Research and Development
For a business whose very purpose is to create a sustainable future, that future begins in Research & Development (R&D). This is the origin of ideas for brands, products, packaging, manufacturing, and technology. Your work could impact millions across the world. Our people make a big impact every day on a local level, across Europe, and the globe.
What will the programme involve?
Over three years and at least four placements, you will be inspired through a world-class development programme packed with a breadth of diverse experiences, challenges, and fun. You will build your leadership skills by working on live projects that offer you all the experience you need to thrive in your first leadership role. You will work with teams from different parts of our business, across our different business groups (Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care & Home Care).
At Unilever, we believe that first-hand experience is the fastest way to learn. The Unilever culture is inclusive, and collaborative, and encourages innovative thinking. Our high-support, high-challenge environment will support you to achieve your potential, whilst giving you the chance to develop industry-leading skills through shaping your career path according to your interests, strengths, and aspirations. With a strong performance culture, challenging goals, and continuous feedback, we will support you to achieve your potential in an inclusive environment.
During the three-year programme you’ll have the opportunity to work across a range of R&D areas, collaborating with a wide range of experienced leaders and technical experts. You could be unlocking the next generation of blockbuster technologies in Science & Technology, running consumer studies for global scale launches, creating new formulation designs in our advanced labs & Pilot Plants, or working hand-in-hand with our marketers to delight our consumers. The opportunities are endless!
Creative minds that can balance both deep technical expertise and commercial astuteness.
What could your day-to-day role include (depending on your role)?
Every day you will be understanding what consumers want and need, developing the science and technology to bring new innovations to life. You’ll be helping to make our products more desirable, more inclusive, more efficacious, and kinder to the planet.
Some of the R&D areas that you could be allocated to working in include:
- Technical Project Leadership
- Future Formulation Design
- Packaging
- Consumer Technical Insights
- Science & Technology
- Out-of-function roles in Marketing (e.g. brand manager or supply chain)
Skills required include:
- Technical Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Agile Delivery
- Data Analytics
- Organisational Awareness
- Personal & professional digital skills inc. Microsoft Office skills (Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Co-pilot)
Please note, that at Unilever, we have development programmes, the skills below are skills that would be good to have at the beginning however you will develop them throughout the programme.
Our application process involves:
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Step 1: Online Application
Complete the online application form. It is a simple and easy application process with the option of filling out your details using your LinkedIn profile. You may apply to one function in your application.
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Step 2: Profile Assessment
Complete two stages of profile assessment; a portrait personality test and an online assessment. These are designed to look at different elements of your cognitive, emotional, and social traits. You will receive personalised feedback after completing each stage.
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Step 3: Digital Interview
The digital interview will consist of 3 short questions followed by a business case. You will be asked to solve real-world problems using Unilever scenarios. You’ll be able to record and complete your interview anytime and anywhere.
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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 -
Step 4: Discovery Centre
You will be invited to a ‘day in the life’ of a Future Leader at Unilever. You will get to experience a face-to-face day filled with several exciting activities including project meetings, business challenges, a team meeting with Unilever colleagues, and an interview.
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