Formulation Technologist

Job Purpose

This role is responsible for developing and testing new deodorant formulations and technologies for various applicator types, with the aim of delivering new products for global or regional markets. The role involves collaboration with internal teams and external suppliers.

Formulation Technologist

Leeds

• Taking responsibility for planning and delivering new formulations and/or technology for global innovation projects across one or several applicator types, ensuring all testing is completed to meet network timings.
• High level of technical input at both theoretical and practical skills is required.

• Responsible for leading a formulation work‑stream within a medium project to deliver a new formulation and/or technology for a specific applicator and/or multiple formulation streams in smaller projects, working with new technologies where appropriate. Communicate updates to the team and to the global formulation community, making recommendations.
• Creates formulations to meet consumer needs by manufacturing and testing, new and existing formulations and using technical expertise to solve specific issues related to new ingredients/technologies, ingredient interactions, physical properties, stability, and processing. Responsible for securing clearances using regulatory and safety clearance software tools.
• Working with suppliers/third parties/internal teams; scouting for technical ideas/solutions; have an understanding of confidential agreements and provide support when required and contributing to the patenting process of any new technology breakthroughs. Effectively communicate with different functional areas of the business to ensure deadlines are met.
• High level of technical input at both theoretical and practical levels, having recognisable expertise in a specific formulation/applicator types or technology/benefit areas providing technical support and/or answering queries to other colleagues and teams.
• Awareness of competitor launches specific to applicator/benefit area and through formulation expertise to understand implications for Unilever products/ brands and to generate support for claim/patent challenges.
• Using specialised technical knowledge and rigour to develop new protocols and characterisation techniques and to identify new equipment requirements on specific applicator and/or benefit.
• Working safety and to the high standards within the lab, preparation of relevant COSHH and risk assessment. Contributing to the site/R&D safety culture. Responsible for co‑ordinating and implementing appropriate technical training to facilitate development and understanding on specific applicator within the formulation roles and when necessary, across functional teams.
• To prepare relevant documentation for laboratory technicians as required.

Preferably degree level in relevant science or engineering discipline.

Knowledge of laboratory techniques gained in FMCG, cosmetic care or similar discipline.

• Working knowledge on Formulation Chemistry – understanding of ingredients, ability to modify and manipulate formulations, to design new products that deliver to consumer insights and needs.
• Evaluate and understand interactions between ingredients within formulation/process/pack through physical stability assessments.
• Working knowledge on Design of experiments/protocol development and how to generate data for claim substantiation.
• Have strong communication skills and analytical capability to analyse and interpret data.
• Have strong information management, for knowledge capture and reporting.
• Digital skills: data handling, analysis and interpretation of data and competent using digital tools to gather data and insights.
• Deos formulation knowledge.
• Deos benefits – understand how to deliver consumer benefits through available technologies.
• Good stakeholder management, providing updates to stakeholders and working externals and 3rd parties.
• Have an appreciation of Intellectual property procedures.
• Have technical knowledge of project management procedures.
• Have technical knowledge of Supply chain, Consumer Technical Insights…