Ice Cream R&D Technologist

Function: R&D

Reports to: Ice Cream R&D Manager

Location: Istanbul (Hybrid)

Terms & Conditions: Full Time

Unilever is currently hiring for Ice Cream R&D Technologist!

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. We 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 we believe 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 a ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead, we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

Job Purpose

Unilever offers the opportunity to bring your purpose to life by creating a better business and world. The Ice Cream R&D team embraces agile innovation, working across global, regional, and local markets. The METSA region’s Ice Cream business is highly successful, and we are on a mission to transform R&D by integrating digital and data across the process—from data quality and analytics to optimization, predictive modeling, and dashboard development.

In this role, you will play a key part in the METSA Ice Cream Establishment (separation) project, supporting project networks and tracking actions in collaboration with country leaders, site leaders, marketing, regulation, and R&D stakeholders.

This role is a unique opportunity for someone interested in business strategy, innovation portfolio management, and R&D operations, while contributing to the achievement of strategic company OKRs.

Join our skilled and collaborative team to drive digital transformation and enhance R&D efficiency.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in planning and implementing IC digital transformation plans from a data-driven/digital-first perspective.
• Build and track IC digital upskilling programs for regional teams.
• Become an expert on the R&D specifications program end-to-end, supporting regional teams in using digital tools, data proficiency, and closing data gaps.
• Drive the Agile Innovation program; support R&D project teams to ensure the “in-silico first approach” is applied and “digital first & data-driven decision making” is embedded into project management pathways.
• Plan and deliver R&D activities related to the new Ice Cream Company Establishment (separation) project, coordinating actions delivery across the region.
• Manage R&D Portfolio & Operations, including Innovation Funnel management, R&D budget & resource management, and operational effectiveness programs using advanced digital skills.
• Maintain effective and timely communication of project status with regional/global partners.
• Follow and understand digital trends and opportunities regarding R&D processes and plan/deliver implementation.
• Partner with Marketing and SC to establish Technology and Innovation for relevant portfolios.
• Collaborate with R&D innovation, cost-saving, and resilience projects, effectively leveraging the scale of Unilever and the power of ecosystems.

Experiences & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering field (Foods / Chemical / any relevant).
• Min 1 to 3 years of experience.
• High interest and early adoption of digital trends & science and technology tools.
• Track record in managing and delivering complex and challenging projects/initiatives.
• Strong data-driven, analytical, creative, and solution-oriented thinking.
• Well understanding of R&D processes, product design, and project management.
• A strong team player.
• Experience/know-how using Data Management Systems is an advantage.
• Proficiency in English (both written and verbal).
• Experience/know-how in Microsoft 365 tools & AI Tools; Teams, SharePoint, Planner, PowerBI, Flow, Power Apps, Prompt engineering, Agile methodology (sprint, scrum, retro, kanban), etc. is an advantage.
• Excellent communication skills and a strong commitment to working closely with teams.
• Ability to effectively cooperate within multi-disciplinary teams on local and regional levels.
• Passion for creative digital solutions and increasing operational effectiveness.
• Eager for continuous learning (learn, unlearn, re-learn approach) and curiosity.
• Effectively leveraging the scale of Unilever and the power of ecosystems.
• Preferably no military obligation for male candidates.

Leadership

You are energized by delivering fantastic results. You are an example to others – both in your results and your resilience. You are constantly on the lookout for better ways to do things, engaging and collaborating with others along the way.

As an individual, you are responsible for your own wellbeing and delivering high standards of work. You must also focus on the consumer and what they need. You are humble and have your head up, looking around to interpret evidence and data smartly, spot issues and opportunities to make things better.

Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviors

• PASSION FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE: Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results. Has an owner’s mindset, using data and insight to make decisions.
• PERSONAL MASTERY: Sets high standards for themselves. Actively builds own wellbeing and resilience.
• CONSUMER LOVE: Always looks for better ways to serve consumers, investing time inside and outside to understand their needs37.
• PURPOSE & SERVICE: Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside Unilever.
• AGILITY: Explores the world around them, continually learning and developing their skills.

Diversity and Inclusion

Unilever embraces diversity and encourages applications from all walks of life! 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.

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.