RD&I Manager, Bakery & Sauces Expertise

Please Note: The deadline for applying is 23.59 the day before the job posting end date.

Job Title: RD&I Manager, Bakery & Sauces Expertise

Location: RD&I – Ingredients & Formulations, Colworth Science Park

Work-Level: 2A

The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC) is the largest ice cream company in the world and is in the process of being set up as a standalone business as it separates from current parent Unilever via Initial Public Offering (IPO).  The Global Research, Design & Innovation Centre in Colworth, Bedfordshire, UK drives the creation and delivery of innovative ice cream products for our world-renowned global brands (such as Magnum, B&J, Cornetto, Twister, Walls) and regional/local brands (such as Cremissimo, Ingman, Evga, Cucciolone) to meet consumers' needs. The Ice Cream Ingredient and Formulation (I&F) team focuses on our ingredient portfolio, formulation and microstructure design, and novel ingredient and component-led innovation. They understand ingredients and their interactions to yield differentiated, superior quality products.

JOB PURPOSE

In this role within the I&F team, you will be instrumental in managing our bakery and sauces ingredient portfolio. You will collaborate with both internal and external stakeholders, overseeing the specification management process for the bakery and sauces portfolio. Additionally, you have some responsibility for expertise-led projects and activities. This role is essential in ensuring that our ingredients and formulations maintain the highest standards of quality in ice cream applications.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Bakery & Sauces Ingredient Expertise

• Lead the ingredient strategy for bakery items, utilising bakery expertise to define key parameters for ice cream applications.
• Lead the ingredient and innovation program for sauces from formulation design to specification implementation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align ingredients with business objectives and customer requirements.
• Own the Superior Ingredients Portfolio agenda for bakery and sauce items.
• Oversee the business continuity and business support requests in the bakery and sauces space working with Ingredient technologists within the team to ensure OTIF delivery.
• Manage supplier relationships from a technical aspect for bakery & sauces portfolio.
• People management responsibility, ensuring structured work and development plans to support career development.

2. Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Work closely with cross functional teams, to ensure seamless ingredient application in ice cream.
• Lead relationships with external suppliers and drive various projects and workstreams.
• Support collaborations between internal and external stakeholders, under the proper collaboration framework.

3. Project Management:

• Own ingredient optimisation, cost efficiency and quality improvement agenda for bakery & sauces portfolio.
• Lead supply resilience projects in relation to the bakery &  sauces portfolio.
• Generate ideas and opportunities for efficiency gains and cost savings as well as innovations.

4. Specification Management.

• Be the key point of contact for managing the creation, revision & approval of bakery & sauces specifications from the Ingredients Expertise team, working alongside the Ingredient Data Specialist team, upholding high standards set and expected by TMICC.
• Collaborate with the Scientific Affairs team to ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards.

5. Sauces Innovation funnel

• Contribute to building internal expertise in sauce formulation, rheology, and sensory mapping, helping to link physical properties to consumer experience and application compatibility.
• Enable breakthrough innovation, supporting the creation of new textures and formats for sauces across ice cream products.

ALL ABOUT YOU

1. Ingredient Expertise: An expert in bakery and /or sauces formulation. Scientific understanding of functionality, technical evaluation, and applications.

2. Project Management: Proven ability to manage complex projects, from inception to completion, ensuring deadlines and objectives are met.

3. Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners. Strong communication, presentation and influencing skills. Able to Interact with senior stakeholders confidently.

4. Food Safety Awareness: Understand the importance of food safety and uphold the highest standards when managing ingredients.

5. Interest: Passionate about developing own self and others via training, mentoring and coaching around expertise portfolio. Interest in food, quality and all things consumers.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Science related subjects or a related field.
• Relevant years of experience in bakery and/or sauces ingredient technology or related roles within the food or beverage industry.

NOTES

Please apply via this portal as e-mail applications may not be processed and include your Future Fit Plan if possible.

By applying for this vacancy, you are confirming that you have made your Line Manager aware of your application and that you are at a point in your career with Unilever where it is appropriate for you to be applying for other positions.   

Should you require additional information or reasonable adjustments to allow you to present your best self during this process, please contact your Talent Partner Ian Miles on Ian.Miles@unilever.com

What we offer

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 strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all. 

Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities and growing together for better business performance. We embrace diversity in our workforce. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We are also more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to be present your best self. To find out more, including about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (unilever.com).