Job Title: Process Quality Leader

Location: Leeds Factory

 
JOB PURPOSE 

As the largest producer of deodorants in Unilever’s global network, the Leeds SU plays a crucial role in supporting Unilever’s ambitious growth targets. Our focus is on delivering perfect products to both European and cross-regional markets, with product quality being a key enabler of this growth.

The Process Quality Leader will support the leadership team in driving quality performance and awareness at the operational level. Reporting to the Site Quality Manager, the Process Quality Leader will manage semi-finished products and chemical raw materials, oversee quality technicians and laboratories, and provide flexible support to operations. Additionally, the Process Quality Leader will assist the Site Quality Manager in developing strategic improvement plans and programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

The primary focus will be the reduction of quality losses by following key areas of responsibility:

Process Innovation and Implementation

Implement and manage new/modified formulations, processes, and chemicals, including risk management, test methodology, specifications, and washout protocols.Manage inspection schedules to ensure material compliance within specifications.Approve PFDs and manage the PFD database for product batches.

Management of Raw materials and Semi-finished Product

Manage testing methods and equipment for incoming chemicals and SFP to ensure timely release.Ensure robust processes for managing materials and traceability to limit consumer safety hazards.Support supplier onboarding and review processes, including visits to new suppliers/sites.Optimise raw material and SFP specifications through statistical review to drive improvement. This will include minimisation of product giveaway, demonstration of specification compliance and reduction or elimination of Quality testing where justified.Create Quality Certificates required for product export

Process and Tank Farm

Maintenance of three plant side testing and main laboratories.Analysis and equipment for the Wastewater treatment plant, Water Plant system and Deodorant Blending SkidsGo-to-person for analytical support and key contact for factory processingSets all Good Lab Practices of the main and plant side labs, including Managing calibration, maintenance and verification schedules for laboratory equipment.Develop and sustain competencies within the Process Quality team Process and Tank Farm operators.Carry out Training in support of the wider Quality Programme (including any training related to process stock and verification of operators).

Quality Incident management

Responsible for the management of operational quality incidents using internal processes (quarantine, audit testing and decision on fate of stock) of non-conforming material/ process related incidents/ supplier incidents.Work with procurement to ensure local quality requirements for new and existing suppliers are communicated and ongoing Supplier issues are effectively managed.Make quick, effective decisions on substandard stock to minimize quality non-conformance impacts on the consumer, market, logistics and factory operation.Act as primary contact for major quality incidents both internal and external.Lead and support potential recall activities, deputizing for the Site Quality Manager when needed.Drive problem solving activities for quality incidents and support other incidents by providing technical knowledge and expertiseIdentifies key Quality losses using continuous improvement tools with aim to reduce/eliminate theseIdentify and investigate consumer complaint trends to drive improvements  by determining RCA and CAPA implimentation.

Legislative

Ensure that legislative requirements are met in process areas and on packing and process lines in respect of the 7th Amendment to the Cosmetics Directive (washout procedures). In particular, ensure wash-out matrices are developed, maintained and effectively communicated to all packing lines and process areas. Verification of these requirements also required.Management of Site Weight Control. Ensure processes are in place that demonstrate compliance to weights and measures legislation and minimise product giveaway therefore minimising costs to the business.Understand the different technologies that help manage weight control such as Heuft level detectors and Garvens checkweighers. Ensure operators, craft, and quality team members have an appreciation of weight control and understand consequences of failure. Develop and implement systems that make the recording of manual weight checks as robust and user friendly as possible.Ensure check systems (challenge cans) are in place and maintained that can demonstrate reject mechanisms for under/over weights are functioning correctly.

Product Safety & Quality

Ownership of Quality related documents and processes which are part of the site Integrated Management System (IMS).Key member of product safety and HACCP team - responsible for compliance with relevant Unilever UQPs/GMPsUnderstand and drive compliance to the site product safety and quality policy and standards held.Pivotal role in internal and external Product Safety and Quality audits- including BRC and ISO standards.Perform regular quality audits and inspections, and use the findings to drive the performance improvement. These may include Departmental Inspections, Internal and External Audits and Quality Pillar Self Assessment Reviews.

Job functionalities

Direct Line Management Responsibility, absence management, development of team via PDP process, etc.Key user for SAP QM inspection module and schedulesManipulate analytical data for SPC and review purposesBe involved / lead audit and investigation processes (both internal and external)Key contact for processing (EU R&D). Participate fully in EU R&D meetings to ensure current and long-term improvements are developed and worked upon.Champion quality awareness activities which promote the development of a quality culture ie. Quality Theme of the Month and World Quality Week.Monitor and measure key Quality performance, including monthly KPI reporting and input to Environmental measures (pH, COD of effluent).

Sourcing Unit Operations

Provide analytical support for managing environmental KPIs and production waste streams.Understand and enforce process safety systems and site safety policies.Understand the importance of behavioral safety and carry out Safe Acts Visits.Understand and enforce site safety policies & rules.Conduct risk assessments and contribute to business risk acceptance.Responsible for use of principles of workplace organisation (5S) in own areas.

ALL ABOUT YOU 

Experience and skills

Degree level in Chemistry preferred or in other science discipline requiredWorking SAP knowledge, preferably with stock management and quality inspectionsManagement of stakeholders (suppliers, operations, R&D)Laboratory experience and strong analytical skillsAdvanced problem-solving skills and statistical analysis 

Personal Qualities

Self-motivated, positive attitudeGood team workerProven record of continuous improvementAble to engage, empower and enable peopleComfortable in challenging situations

NOTES

About Unilever 

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Food, Home and Personal Care products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2 billion consumers a day. Unilever has more than 400 brands found in homes around the world, including Dove, Tresemme, Lynx, Lifebuoy, Shea Moisture, Persil, Domestos, Ben & Jerry’s, Magnum, Marmite, The Vegetarian Butcher, Graze and Pot Noodle.

 

Faced with the challenge of climate change and the need for human development, we want to move towards a world where everyone can live well and within the natural limits of the planet. That’s why our purpose is ‘to make sustainable living commonplace’  

 

What We Offer 

Not only do we offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, we also offer an annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.

 

Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We are a key advocate of wellbeing and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all. 

 

Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities and growing together for better business performance. We embrace diversity in our workforce. 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. We are also more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to be present your best self. To find out more, including about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Unilever | Unilever.

 

Recruitment Fraud 

Cyber criminals advertise fake job adverts with prestigious employers as a way of stealing information or even defrauding individuals out of money. In the most sophisticated cases, they will set up fake websites, which have a similar address to companies like Unilever. They even conduct fake telephone interviews and then offer candidates a role with the proviso they pay a fee for background checks or to cover work visa costs.  These types of attacks are becoming more common as more people are looking for employment in the economic climate. 

 

How is Unilever tackling this? 

Many of Unilever’s recruitment sites publish a warning to candidates about recruitment fraud. The Cyber Security team also proactively scan for signs of people setting up fake Unilever sites and act to close them down. 

 

What can I do? 

If you become aware of potential recruitment fraud, spot fake Unilever recruitment adverts or fake LinkedIn profiles, report them via Una Live Chat. 

 

Unilever does not accept responsibility or liability for any candidates who are financially impacted by recruitment fraud. Your vigilance is key!