PC SEA R&D Packaging Assistant Manager

Function: Research & Development

Reports to: PC Greater Asia Packaging R&D Lead

Scope: Personal Care - Vietnam

Location: HCMC, Vietnam

Terms & Conditions: Full-time employment

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. 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. 

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

 ABOUT PERSONAL CARE GREATER ASIA BUSINESS UNIT (BU)

Personal Care (PC) business in Greater Asia is a large, profitable, growing market and thus represents a significant growth opportunity in Unilever. We have an ambition to generate over €150M incremental turn-over in the next 3 years and we are accretive to overall PC Business Group (BG). We have a diverse geographical footprint spanning markets like Vietnam, Philippines, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. We see a clear opportunity to grow our core PC brands through market-making (driving penetration & consumption), premiumization (upgradation), and drive competitiveness across channels.

The scope will be Vietnam. Vietnam is an exciting market for PC since it has the biggest market for SCL liquids and Oral Care in Greater Asia. With a strong Lifebuoy leadership and P/S moving fast into premiumization, it thus play an important role in our premiumization growth agenda.

The PC VN R&D Packaging Assistant Manager role is a key position that is responsible and a partner across function around packaging to deliver superior, sustainable, and profitable products with winning and impactful activation.

JOB PURPOSE

Unilever is the place where you can bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world.  If you are keen on packaging research and development with strong skills in technical project management, data analysis, risk assessment, and problem-solving, and are passionate about holistic development to deliver superior, profitable, and sustainable packaging, then this role is just for you!

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

• Define and prepare the BU technical specifications in SAP PLM AWS for secondary pack and P&P for the BU while partnering with BG for primary pack in design cells.  
• Manage projects with minimal supervision as the packaging workstream leader to support the growth ambition of PC Vietnam market. Program will encompass innovation, product superiority, savings & simplification, sourcing & resilience, and sustainability.
• Analyze project briefs to support Marketing and Supply Chain teams in developing robust packaging recommendations. This includes leveraging the available material portfolio, maximizing existing pack specifications for simplification, ensuring resilience requirements, and utilizing available Supply Chain capabilities.
• Drive for innovation product compliance with relevant Unilever policies and local regulations. This involves assessing pack-related project risks, developing comprehensive action plans, and collaborating with TPL, Supply Chain (Quality & Procurement), and suppliers to mitigate and resolve risks effectively.
• Develop and maintain technical expertise in all relevant packaging technologies. Apply this expertise to drive innovation, sustainable packaging initiatives, and margin-improvement projects, ensuring the organization remains at the forefront of industry advancements.
• Implement and uphold operating principles (1UPP – One Unilever Packaging process) to establish robust technical standards and specifications for packaging. Utilize relevant systems (AWS, PLM) and oversee packaging testing in laboratory, pilot plant, and manufacturing lines (suppliers, sourcing units) based on the pack qualification plan.
• Carry out market understanding (consumer, competitor, and channel) and leverage these insights to establish robust packaging specifications for innovation projects. Ensure that market insights are integrated into the packaging development process.
• Serve as the BU packaging R&D interface for BG, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and savings projects. This includes locking pack specifications, assessing supplier capabilities, and communicating technical recommendations to TPL and cross-functional teams.
• Partner with Brand and CS&P teams to assess new packaging requirements for activation (e.g., promotional packaging component development). Oversee the execution of testing plans and explore agile resourcing as necessary to meet project demands efficiently.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

Experiences & Qualifications

• A Bachelor's Degree in Packaging Engineering, Science, or a related technical field is essential for comprehending and effectively applying advanced packaging technologies. This educational foundation ensures a deep understanding of the technical aspects required for innovative packaging solutions.
• Proficiency in English is preferred for effective communication and collaboration with international teams. This skill is crucial for leading cross-functional projects, engaging with global stakeholders, and ensuring clear and concise communication across diverse teams.
• 4-5 years of experience in Personal Care packaging development is preferred, with a strong emphasis on working with materials such as rigid plastic, flexibles, glass, metal, rubber, applicators, dispensers, and paper-based packaging. This extensive experience is vital for driving innovation, ensuring compliance with industry standards, and leading complex packaging projects to successful completion.
• Experience in managing focused projects simultaneously is highly preferred. Demonstrating the ability to handle complex and concurrent tasks efficiently, especially across multiple markets, is essential for a managerial role.
• Experience in testing for manufacturing and designing for channel is crucial, particularly with line trials, transit tests, and packaging functional laboratory tests. This expertise ensures that packaging solutions are robust and meet all necessary standards.
• Experience in digital environments is preferred, especially in prototyping and mock-ups preparation, whether traditional or 3D CAD/CAE. This skill set is essential for modern packaging development and innovation.
• Experience working in a fast-moving consumer goods company in Greater Asia is highly preferred. This background provides valuable insights into the regional market dynamics and consumer preferences, which are critical for successful packaging development and implementation.

Skills

• Problem Solving: Shows problem solving skills and proposes solutions proactively. Dealing with people related issues, pulling managers in as needed.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Working effectively with various departments such as marketing, supply chain, procurement and production to ensure that all aspects of packaging development are aligned with the overall business goals and strategies.
• Sustainable Packaging Development: The ability to develop and implement sustainable packaging solutions which includes understanding and applying the latest technologies and materials to create packaging that is both environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
• Technical Project Management: Managing data, assessing risks, and solving problems related to packaging projects; to ensure that the projects are completed efficiently and effectively, meeting the required standards and timelines.
• Digital Proficiency: Proficiency in basic digital tools and technologies in modern packaging development which includes using digital design tools, data analytics, and other digital resources to enhance the packaging process.
• Innovation and Creativity: The ability to innovate and think creatively in developing new and improved packaging solutions to create packaging that stands out in the market and meets the evolving needs of consumers.

Leadership

• Energized by Delivering Results and Leading by Example: You thrive on achieving outstanding results and setting a high standard through your performance and resilience. You consistently seek innovative ways to improve processes, actively engaging and collaborating with team members to drive collective success.
• Accountability and High Standards: You take full responsibility for your own wellbeing and consistently deliver exceptional work. Your focus remains on understanding and meeting consumer needs, ensuring that your efforts align with their expectations and preferences.
• Humble and Insightful: Start to influence the group, play more of a leadership role within the group. Identify frictions and discuss with line manager options/recommendations. Provide clarity and direction for the people you are leading. Good level of self-awareness - understand your strengths and weaknesses 

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.