Digital Design Lead

UNILEVER IS LOOKING FOR A DIGITAL DESIGN LEAD

Location: Unilever HIVE, Wageningen – the Netherlands

Local conditions apply

Full-time/Part-time

For the recruitment of this position, we would like to emphasize that local conditions apply to the position and for this vacancy in principle we will first consider candidates based in the Netherlands. If you are based outside of the Netherlands and you are interested to apply, please feel free to do so but we can only take your application on if a decision is made to also recruit outside of the Netherlands.

ABOUT UNILEVER    

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world. 

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future. 
 

ABOUT FOODS R&D

Foods is Unilever's largest Business Group, featuring global brands like Knorr and Hellman's, along with strong regional and local brands. Foods R&D focuses on developing superior products that are healthier for people and the planet, using advanced science and technology. Our global innovation centre, Hive, is in the heart of the Silicon Valley of Food, Wageningen, The Netherlands. We collaborate with R&D teams and partners worldwide to drive market-winning innovations. Digital and Data are the currency of how we work in R&D, from discovery through product development and deployment. New developments in AI and Data Science will be the crucial differentiator for us to win.

JOB PURPOSE

The Foods Global Design Centre (GDC) leads the Global R&D program, with a focus on Condiments, Cooking aids and Mini-Meals. The GDC has a key role in leading global big bets, developing new proprietary technologies and building capabilities that ensure we have world class technologies, products and portfolios.

The Foods Digital Design team has the ambition to transform how we find the latest insights and design superior products through using AI, modelling, analytics and data.   This involves developing new, or enhancing digital product design tools, and making them available to product designers around the world.   The development and enhancement of these digital design tools is done in close collaboration with the product design teams in the GDC, end users and digital teams in Unilever R&D.   The tools are based on advanced statistical- and machine learning, including AI, data-driven approaches, incorporating as much as possible state-of-the-art foods science, and physical and chemical insights.

The GDC is recruiting a Digital Design Lead, a thought leader in the end-to-end digital transformation in Foods R&D, and a team leader for the Foods Digital Design team. The Digital Design Lead works closely with the Head of Innovation and Head of Technology, for Condiments, Cooking Aids, Mini-Meals and Unilever Food Solutions to shape the program. The Digital Design Lead partners with the Foods R&D Head of Digital, Data & Partners and Unilever Digital and Partners teams to ensure priorities are aligned and funding is secured. As a senior leader in the GDC, also playing a key role in building the team and capabilities.   

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE?

• Team Leadership: Lead the Digital design team in an inspirational, inclusive and connected way.

• Strategic Digital Design Leadership:   Clear vision and strategy for the development and application of Digital technologies to design Superior products based on consumer and product insights

• Technology Advancement:   Stay abreast of technological advancement and its application to product design, for example, leveraging the power of ‘GPT’s’, large and small language models and agentic systems

• Programme Delivery:   Develop, maintain and implement strategy through a multiyear programme, including data driven and physics / chemistry-based product design models, simulation tools and product design platforms.

• Cross-Functional and External Collaboration:   Ensure strong collaboration across different teams in R&D, chefs, and with external partners to ensure we develop digital tools that are loved by product developers.

• User Centric Design Tools: Ensure continuous improvement and focus on UI & UX through development and testing digital tools with end users.

THE EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS WE ARE LOOKING FOR?

• Scientific Background in process engineering, (computational) physics/chemistry, mathematics /statistics / modelling or related discipline.

• Experience, knowledge and deep curiosity around how the ever-evolving world of AI, neural networks, large and small language models, agentic systems and orchestration can be applied to product design.

• Experience and knowledge of modelling techniques (e.g. linear/ logistic regression, PCA, PLS, random forests, neural networks) and data analysis languages such as R, python and databases such as SQL and Microsoft Azure.

• Experience of UI/UX design to create user centric digital experiences

• A track record of successful development and deployments of digital tools for product developers.

• Evidence of a future focused attitude and entrepreneurial mindset, seeing beyond today and how innovation can help unlock business and customer challenges of the future.

• Demonstrably able to interface with and positively influence senior stakeholders, in all key functions of the business.

• Networker, strong external mindset and track record of building internal and external partnerships

• Develops talent & nurtures high performing teams by building a performance culture, generating the intensity and focus to deliver results, rewarding initiative, creativity and out of the box thinking, and creating an inclusive environment amongst teams that celebrates successes and embraces failure as a learning opportunity.  

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?

Unilever is the place where you can be yourself and bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. We offer an exciting & dynamic work environment where you can make things happen. Furthermore, we offer some great reward and benefits!

• Attractive total remuneration package; excellent company pension, bonus, share scheme.

• Flexible cross-disciplinary career opportunities and a wealth of training opportunities & wellbeing resources whenever and wherever.

• Plenty of company-paid holidays to further ensure your work-life balance is maintained.

• We encourage an inclusive culture, which comes to life with interchangeable public holidays, paid paternity leave of 6 weeks and our transgender policy.

• Under the Hybrid Working principles, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 40%-60% in the office or at customers, suppliers or partners to connect and collaborate.  For the time you work from home, we will ensure you are well equipped. When you are at the office , you can enjoy our tasty canteen with prepped food and own products.

• Informal culture and being the first one trying our new products. 

• My Fitness Plan (reduction on your Fitness Subscription).

• Home work allowance

• Company laptop and mobile phone

• Green Mobility Policy.   

EXCITED?

Join Unilever and our team! To apply, you must do so online. Please do not forget to upload your CV and a motivation letter.  Your application will be reviewed against our requirements and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date to provide you with an update on the status of your application.

Looking forward to meeting you! 

Please note this is a Direct Search led by Unilever. Applications from agencies will not be accepted, nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, parenthood, pregnancy or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against. 

By highlighting the gender diversity at the workplace, Unilever encourages women equally men to apply. If you look for a job after a long career break or after any type of leave, do not hesitate to apply.

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