Rdi Manager

Description:

Unilever is seeking an RD&I Manager, Bakery & Sauces Expertise to join the Ingredients & Formulations team at Colworth Science Park. This role is a critical part of The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC), the world’s largest ice cream company, as it transitions to operate as a standalone business via IPO. The position focuses on managing and innovating within the bakery and sauces ingredient portfolio, ensuring superior quality, compliance, and innovation in ice cream applications.

The RD&I Manager will be at the forefront of developing and optimizing bakery and sauce ingredients for world-renowned brands such as Magnum, Cornetto, Ben & Jerry’s, and Walls. This role requires expertise in ingredient functionality, cross-functional collaboration, and strong project management skills to drive innovation and ensure business continuity.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the ingredient strategy for bakery items, defining critical parameters for ice cream applications.

• Oversee sauces ingredient innovation, from formulation design through to specification implementation.

• Own and manage the superior ingredients portfolio agenda for bakery and sauce items.

• Oversee business continuity and support requests, ensuring On-Time-In-Full (OTIF) delivery.

• Manage supplier relationships from a technical perspective across bakery and sauces.

• Lead projects to improve ingredient quality, cost efficiency, and supply resilience.

• Drive sauce innovation, focusing on textures, rheology, sensory mapping, and consumer experience.

• Manage specification creation, revision, and approval processes in collaboration with ingredient data specialists.

• Ensure compliance with food safety standards and regulatory requirements.

• Provide people management support, developing structured work and career growth plans for team members.

Key Requirements:

• Expertise in bakery and/or sauces formulation and applications.

• Strong scientific understanding of functionality, evaluation, and ingredient interactions.

• Proven track record in managing complex projects from start to finish.

• Strong interpersonal, influencing, and presentation skills with confidence in engaging senior stakeholders.

• Passion for food innovation, quality, and consumer-focused product development.

• Awareness of food safety and regulatory compliance.

• Interest in mentoring, coaching, and supporting team development.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Science or a related field.

• Significant industry experience in bakery and/or sauces technology, ideally within food or beverage R&D.

What’s on Offer:

• Full-time role with flexible working options available.

• Family-friendly and inclusive workplace culture.

• Opportunity to work on globally recognized ice cream brands.

• Professional growth and career development through expertise-led innovation projects.

• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion with employee support groups and fair consideration for all applicants.