Global Automation Capability & MIF HUB Lead – Home Care R&D

ABOUT HOME CARE R&D
Do you want to play a leading role in shaping the future of Home Care R&D through world-class science, automation, digital technology and AI-enabled experimentation?

Home Care is building a faster, more future-fit R&D organisation — one that can deliver superior innovation, stronger claims, higher productivity and bigger business impact through advanced science, digital workflows and automation.

The Materials Innovation Factory (MIF) is a critical part of this ambition, giving Home Care access to leading-edge formulation, analytical, physical measurement and automated experimentation capabilities that support global innovation programmes.

JOB PURPOSE
As the Global MIF Hub & Automation Capability Lead – Home Care R&D, you will lead the Home Care MIF Expertise Hub and define the global automation capability agenda that will shape the future of Home Care R&D.

You will be accountable for transforming emerging technologies, automation, digital systems and AI into scalable business value, while building the next generation laboratory ecosystem needed to accelerate innovation, improve productivity and strengthen competitive advantage.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Lead a multidisciplinary team of scientists, technical specialists and automation experts to deliver activities that support Home Care innovation, technology development and business growth.
• Define the Home Care Automation Strategy, own the vision, roadmap and priorities for automation across Home Care R&D.
• Identify opportunities through effective business partnering to improve speed, quality and productivity through robotics, digitalisation and AI-enabled workflows.
• Align automation investments with Home Care business priorities and R&D transformation objectives.
• Build Home Care’s future laboratory ecosystem by combining automation, digital workflows, AI, data, modelling and advanced science to accelerate experimentation and deliver competitive advantage.
• Build and leverage partnerships with universities, technology providers, suppliers and research organisations.
• Influence senior stakeholders on capability priorities, resource allocation and long-term strategy.
• Translate automation and MIF capabilities into measurable innovation, productivity and growth outcomes.
• Continuous improvement mindset on processes, systems and ways of working

ABOUT YOU
• Degree in Science, Engineering, Technology or related discipline.
• Strong scientific and technical credibility within R&D.
• Experience leading automation, digital, laboratory or innovation capability programmes.
• Proven ability to lead high-performing technical teams.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Experience shaping strategy and translating it into delivery.
• Strong commercial and business case development capability.
• Ability to drive organisational change and technology adoption.
• Experience working across global and cross-functional networks.
• Passion for shaping the future of science, automation and AI-enabled innovation.

LEADERSHIP SCOPE
• Leads the Home Care MIF Expertise Hub and global automation capability agenda.
• Owns a portfolio of scientific, digital and automation capability investments.
• Influences strategic investment decisions across R&D and partner organisations.
• Balances short-term delivery with long-term capability transformation.
• Shapes the future direction of Home Care R&D through automation, digital technologies and AI.

WHY JOIN US?
This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of Home Care R&D by leading one of its most strategically important science and automation capability agendas.

You will work at the heart of Home Care’s transformation, combining world-class scientific expertise, advanced automation, digital technologies and AI-enabled experimentation to change how innovation is delivered.

The role offers high visibility with global R&D leaders, the opportunity to influence future investment decisions and the chance to lead a highly capable team operating within one of the most advanced R&D ecosystems available to Home Care.

What We Offer

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, above all, create possibilities for all. 

Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities, and growing together for better business performance. We want to push boundaries, and have the flexibility needed to keep adapting in an ever-changing, more dynamic world. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. 

As part of your hiring journey, we are happy to support requests for reasonable adjustments, to improve your recruitment experience.

To find out more, including more information about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here.

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