Formulation Chemist

Job Title:
Formulation Chemist

Business Function: R&D

Location:
Leeds Office and R&D

This role is responsible for the development and testing of new deodorant formulations for global or regional deployment.

• This role is responsible for taking responsibility for planning and delivering the technology development and testing programme for projects and/or the longer‑term technology roadmap, ensuring all testing is completed to meet network timings.
• Addressing formulation or technology concerns as they occur, such as issues related to fragrance or stability.
• High level of practical laboratory skills is required.

• Acts as the primary formulation contact at a global level, handling technical queries from various business areas including Regions, Marketing, Safety, Environmental & Regulatory Science (SERS), and Supply Chain. Communicates with multiple functional teams to help meet deadlines. Participates in technical team meetings as needed, with guidance provided by senior WL1 or WL2 staff.
• Understand raw material functions and their roles in formulations. With senior WL1 guidance, adapt or create new formulas that meet product benefit and claim requirements within the formulation workstream.
• Be able to formulate in autonomy by planning and executing technical testing, interpreting results, troubleshoot technical issues, generating support for claims, preparing reports, communicating results to the team, and contributing towards savings initiatives.
• Provide supporting documentation, e.g., safety clearance, for prototype products for both internal and external testing, including consumer/claims testing.
• Carry out relevant qualitative and quantitative technical testing, to ensure products are fit for market/consumer testing including specialist testing where required.
• Utilise Unilever software to create specifications and recipes that are used for safety and regulatory clearance and used for setting specifications for implementation into factories.
• To be aware of key competitors in specific to applicator area and develop formulation expertise to understand implications for Unilever products and brands. To be aware of tools for protecting intellectual property when reporting information.
• Keep laboratory files/records, SOP’s, risk assessments, COSHH, etc. up to date. Design and implement new protocols and testing techniques with guidance as necessary from senior WL1’s.
• Actively participate in departmental initiatives, processes and maintain high standards of laboratory housekeeping and safety. Supports training and provides technical support for colleagues.
• To prepare relevant documentation for laboratory technicians such as batch sheets, gassing sheets, results templates for capturing data in relevant Unilever software.

Education: Preferably degree level in Chemistry

Relevant experience: Some Laboratory experience in formulation.

Desirable skills for the position:

• Formulation Chemistry - Understanding of ingredients; ability to modify and manipulate formulations. Evaluate and understand interactions between ingredients within formulation/process/pack through physical stability assessments.
• Design of experiments/protocol development
• Analytical capability – analyse and interpret data
• Digital skills:
  Data handling, analysis and interpretation of data
• Information Management - knowledge capture, reporting and effective communication
• Health & safety regulations and processes
• Limited travel with overnight stays maybe necessary
• Full EU driving license is desirable

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…