Job Description

Job Title: Product Technologist, R&D, ekaterra Lipton Tea, UAE (Short-term Contract) - Immediate Hire

Work Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

About ekaterra:
With an annual turnover of around EUR2bn, ekaterra is the world's largest tea business, with world-class, purpose-driven brands such as Lipton, Pukka, Tazo, T2 and PG Tips. 'eka' is a word taken from the Sanskrit language which means unity and one purpose, while 'terra' represents the earth and nature. As ekaterra we are truly united in one purpose: growing a world of wellbeing through the regenerative power of plants.

In July 2022, CVC Capital Partners Fund VIII took over the full ownership of the ekaterra business from its previous owner, Unilever. As a standalone entity with a dedicated single-category focus, ekaterra is even better positioned to lead the tea industry, delivering higher growth and value, and a greater impact on the wider world. With 11 production factories in four continents and tea growing estates in three countries, ekaterra is a profitable and growing business whose brands reach hundreds of millions of consumers. It has a presence in over 100 countries.

Under the ownership of CVC, ekaterra has an exciting future ahead with opportunities for increased investments in our iconic brands, our people, and our capabilities. Combining the strength and scale of our brands with a focus on speed and agility, ekaterra is brewing a corporate start-up mindset that's opening-up new opportunities for its people to flourish every day.

At ekaterra, we put consumer love at the heart of every decision. We celebrate diverse thinkers who take personal ownership to connect ideas and make impactful things happen; people who share our values around humanity and courage and give their commitment to nurturing the wellbeing of all. In return, we offer a working culture that gives our people freedom and flexibility, and where they can grow both personally and professionally to master their field.

Be part of our amazing blend. Come and grow yourself and, in turn, help us to grow a world of wellbeing.

Your Role

The purpose of this role is to lead project technical elements (e.g. formulation, processing, consumer technical insights, specifications, claims, quality, safety, & in some cases manufacturing).

Leads the technical timeline of projects from Idea to Market Ready and oversees deployment within countries or across the region.

Co-ordinates inputs from many different R&D specialties (Formulation, Process, Packaging, Consumer Technical Insight, regulatory Specifications etc & sometimes Supply Chain).

Supports the regional savings agenda from technical POV.

Your Key Tasks:

• Liaising with multidisciplinary team to deliver agreed work plans in the lab and in factory for all new innovations, renovations, and VIPs in beverages.
• Early evaluation of technical feasibility of projects (link with business case and technical capability)
• Responsible for the technical output OTIF of projects across agreed regions.
• Develop R&D artwork forms for innovations and renovations in region of scope
• Approve artworks on artwork system with R&D and regulatory input
• Creating material codes for innovations and renovations in the relevant Ekaterra system
• Develop internal and external networks and build awareness of state-of-the-art knowledge within relevant fields
• Carry out work for support of product claims (KBS, Demos), risk management, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory
• Responsible for risk management, claims, regulatory and legal compliance with local & regional requirements.
• Responsible for input technical details to Innoflex Gate documents.
• Responsible for ensuring comprehensive technical transfer documentation is written when handing over to Sourcing Units (i.e. factories)
• Responsible for conducting development trials at SUs or 3P for innovation and renovation projects as well as 5S.
• Responsible for running local benchmarking exercises across the region and understanding the local competitor landscape
• Full understanding of local consumer profiles and habits and local tea habits and bringing that into innovation and renovation projects

Skills and Experience

• A graduate in food science, chemistry, biology, or related science
• Basic formulation knowledge of food/ bev products
• Strong analytical skills to input into the wider team objectives
• A self-starter and with strong proactivity and bias for action
• Flexibility, a willingness to step into new science areas as needed, and the ability to learn quickly on the job
• Some evidence of ability to gather and synthesize information to scope new areas as required
• Strong team alignment to deliver to diverse customer project requirements and timelines.
• Understanding of NAME landscape and culture
• Full mastery of both English and Arabic language written and spoken
• Relevant experience:
• Functional expertise in one of the R&D functions - (normally Formulation, Processing, Packaging)
• Previous experience running a regional/local innovation project
• SAP PLM experience is a plus.

Who we are looking for

• A big-picture thinker, confident in taking strategic decisions that will impact culture, policy and ways of working
• To be agile and drive simple process design and continuous improvement
• Driven by innovation and strong change affinity
• Have strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills with diverse, multi-functional stakeholders
• Independent, self-starter, ability to discover opportunities and grow the business
• Must be passionate about Tea
• A passionate Networker and a natural relationship builder

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their 'Whole Self' to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.