Senior Packaging Specification Specialist

Job Title:

Senior Packaging Specification Specialist

Location:

Leeds Office and R&D

Main job purpose:
Great products don’t happen by accident. They are built on robust data, clear specifications and technical rigour. Packaging specifications are the backbone that enables safe manufacture, regulatory compliance, consistent quality and outstanding consumer experience. When specification data is right first time, innovation can move faster, risks are reduced and brands are protected. This role exists to own, elevate and future proof packaging specification data, ensuring it actively enables the delivery of safe, compliant and desirable deodorant products across a global portfolio.

The role holder will lead the delivery of Unilever’s global packaging specification programme for the Deodorant category. You will be accountable for ensuring that packaging specification data is:

• Complete, accurate and compliant

• Fit for purpose across the full product lifecycle

• Trusted as a single source of truth

• Actively enabling better decisions, faster execution and stronger products

Operating at the intersection of R&D, Quality, Regulatory, Digital, Supply Chain and suppliers, you will translate complex technical and regulatory requirements into clear, usable specifications that underpin world‑class product delivery.

• End‑to‑end ownership of packaging specifications
• Lead delivery of the global Packaging Specification programme, ensuring right‑first‑time execution across brands and business units
• Create, amend, approve and release fit‑for‑purpose packaging specifications using strong technical judgement and rigour
• Ensure specifications enable safe manufacture, consistent quality and regulatory compliance throughout the product lifecycle

• Data quality, compliance & risk management
• Set and drive best‑in‑class data quality standards for packaging specifications
• Ensure full compliance with Unilever internal standards and global regulatory requirements
• Identify data gaps, risks or inconsistencies and lead corrective actions
• Protect brands and consumers by reducing the risk of non‑compliance, penalties or reputational impact

• Digital systems & continuous improvement
• Act as Packaging Specification SME and PLM / AWS Superuser
• Partner with Digital R&D to improve system functionality, efficiency and data accuracy
• Lead testing, deployment and adoption of system enhancements
• Drive continuous improvement of specification processes and ways of working across the category

• Stakeholder leadership & collaboration
• Work closely with Packaging R&D, Quality, Regulatory Affairs, Supply Chain, Procurement and suppliers
• Lead alignment across global and BU teams, balancing speed with technical rigour
• Communicate clearly with senior stakeholders, holding self and others accountable for delivery

• Capability & knowledge building
• Own and develop the Deo Packaging Specification Portal
• Act as a key member of the Packaging Specification Code of Practice network
• Coach, train and develop team members, acting as a role model for technical excellence and data mindset

Experience & background

• Degree‑level education in a scientific or engineering discipline
• Strong R&D experience, with deep understanding of specifications and data quality
• Proven experience managing specifications across their full lifecycle
• Solid understanding of PLM / AWS and end‑to‑end data flows
• Working knowledge of packaging legislation and regulatory frameworks
• Experience leading complex workloads, priorities and continuous improvement initiatives

Technical & professional strengths

• A data‑driven mindset with relentless attention to detail
• Strong understanding of packaging materials, test methods and quality evaluation
• Ability to translate complex information into clear, actionable outputs
• Confident problem‑solver who thrives in cross‑functional, global environments
• Comfortable influencing without authority and engaging senior stakeholders

Digital & analytical capability

• Expert user of PLM / AWS for specification management
• Strong affinity for digital tools, analytics and continuous optimisation
• Confident working with Excel, Power BI and harnessing data‑driven insights