Process Engineer

Overview

Job Title: Process Engineer

Business Function: R&D – Process Development

Location: Port Sunlight Research Lab

The Process Engineer is a technical leader and integrator, responsible for driving the scale-up and optimisation of manufacturing processes for Beauty & Wellbeing products. This role champions innovation, simplification, and digital transformation, ensuring robust, scalable, and sustainable solutions that deliver business priorities. Leadership is demonstrated through functional technical expertise, mentoring, influencing cross-functional teams, and shaping the future of process engineering at Unilever.

• Own and drive technical work programmes, leading the processing part of the innovations in the delivery of robust, scalable process designs that meet quality, cost, and sustainability targets. Develop, design and evaluate experiments for validation and report as well as scale up and adapt bench-scale processes to pilot and manufacturing scale.
• Manufacture of robust, repeatable batches in the AMC pilot plant and timely and thorough documentation using digital tools and technical learnings. Drive the pilot plant continuous improvement program with focus and discipline.
• Ensure clear, complete documentation and flawless handovers to factory teams.
• Develop scenario plans, back-up options, and design spaces that enable flexibility and resilience.
• Engage factory partners and cross-functional teams early, proactively highlighting long-term risks and opportunities.
• Apply root cause analysis and continuous improvement tools to resolve issues. Understand risks and manage & mitigate those as appropriate.
• Work closely with other functions, such as supply chain, procurement to create, develop and deliver new products and innovations.
• Communicate effectively with different departments and functions to deliver against project network timings and identify and manage risks.
• Write process flow diagrams and implement processes at Unilever and third party manufacturing facilities. Design and execute trial proposals for manufacturing trials.
• Provide leadership for technical aspects of project development (TPL), including project management activities, holding others accountable, ensuring project delivery on agreed technical targets and supporting decision making for product development matters.

• Degree qualified or equivalent, preferably in Chemical Engineering or Process Engineering.
• Hands-on experience in pilot/manufacturing environments is advantageous.
• Skilled and comfortable with digital tools/models for predictive scale-up and process optimisation.
• A creative, logical and analytical mind to generate innovative design solutions and understand risks; strong planning and organisational skills to balance demands within the BW EU teams.
• Ability to respond quickly to changes in priorities and be a real team player across varied and extensive networks.
• Enthusiastic and self-motivated with good verbal and written communication skills. Able to communicate complex engineering and design principles to people at all levels of the business across functions.
• Working knowledge and training in operating AMC equipment (Process controller and ideally process operator) is a distinct advantage.
• A proven track record of implementing process technologies and approaches across the supply chain.
• Use judgment to understand the complex situations and needs of the BW business and supply chain and recommend or carry out actions that are relevant and appropriate.

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,…