Associate Scientist UFS Product Development

Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) is the 2nd largest Business Unit of Unilever, a global market leader in Food Service operating in over 76 countries with ~4000 employees. We serve chefs through a unique B2B model, aiming to free them to love what they do. With a bold 2030 strategy, we focus on product superiority, AI-powered customer experience, and a winning culture. Our Future Menus Report identifies emerging culinary trends, positioning us as industry trendsetters. We foster an entrepreneurial culture built on speed, simplicity, trust, and growth, with a strong emphasis on employee engagement and development.

About the role

As an Associate Scientist in UFS Product Development, you will contribute to Unilever’s fast-growing business by delivering superior new products in a dynamic, multicultural environment. You will support innovation, product superiority, and margin enhancement projects while collaborating with cross-functional teams. This role offers end-to-end ownership and the opportunity to accelerate your development in a high-engagement, entrepreneurial culture.

Responsibilities

• Execute Cooking Aids R&D activities to deliver innovation, product superiority, and margin enhancement projects.
• Work as a member of a cross-functional project team to deliver projects on time and in full.
• Independently design products against simple product briefs and execute test protocols (e.g., prototype development, scale-up, shelf-life testing, analytical testing).
• Lead the process of specification and label creation in SAP PLM from request to approval.
• Provide technical and product guidance in cross-functional meetings.
• Assess feasibility of new ideas and troubleshoot formulation challenges.
• Support technical investigations using root-cause analysis and problem-solving techniques.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing, customers, suppliers, and key stakeholders.

Requirements

• B.S. Degree in Food Science or equivalent; experience in the food industry preferred.
• Ability to independently execute tasks and projects of moderate complexity.
• Experience in prototype development across multiple projects.
• Working knowledge of ingredients, formulation, process, and product design principles.
• Fully operational in specification creation, approval, and costing.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data with guidance on final conclusions.
• Working knowledge of experimental design, root cause analysis, and problem-solving techniques.
• Good understanding of manufacturing processes.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to construct trial/lab reports, presentations, and make recommendations for technical and non-technical audiences.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $68,000 to $74,000. Unilever considers skill sets, experience, training, and other business needs when determining compensation.

Benefits

• Health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage).
• Retirement savings benefits.
• Life insurance and disability benefits.
• Parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation, and holidays.
• Access to numerous voluntary benefits.
• Bonus eligibility for this position.
• Long-Term Incentive (LTI) eligibility for this position.

Schedule

Full-time, hybrid role (3 days in-office at Englewood Cliffs, 2 days remote).