Process Development Technologist

Function: Home Care R&D – Process Development
Location: La Lucia / Katherine Office (Sandton)
Reports to: Home Care Process Development Manager
Scope: Country Market (Southern Africa)

ABOUT UNILEVER

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that has a real impact. Home Care R&D designs the end‑to‑end consumer experience, delivering SASSY products that drive Desire at Scale and adhere to Clean Future principles

JOB PURPOSE
The Process Engineer is technically accountable for bridging Formulation and R&D Process Development to ensure products are scalable, robust, and factory ready. Operating within the Home Care R&D Process & Product Development teams, the role owns the translation of approved formulation intent into validated manufacturing processes through scale up, pilot trials, process specification, validation, and factory transfer.
The Process Engineer delivers assigned innovation and Value Improvement Project (VIP) workstreams, quality interventions, and capacity uplift through data driven, safe, and compliant execution, acting as the R&D technical authority for process development and scale up.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

R&D PROCESS DEVELOPMENT
• Perform scale up studies to translate approved bench scale formulations into pilot and factory ready processes, defining process parameters, critical control points (CCPs) and critical quality attributes (CQAs).
• Plan and perform experimental production runs in pilot plants and feasibility factory trials; provide technical recommendations and go / no go input based on agreed key success criteria. Prepare trial reports.
• Create, validate, and issue process specifications and validation documentation, ensuring alignment with approved formulation specifications and maintaining audit ready version control.
• Diagnose and resolve process deviations using engineering principles including root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, PHAROS, QMS, and R&D safety standards across all trial activities, ensuring data integrity and first time right reporting.
• Provide CAPEX technical input and requirements for new or modified process equipment, partnering with Engineering through trials, commissioning, and qualification.

Factory & Supply Chain Interface
• Support technical problem solving for manufacturing issues in local HC factories, from issue diagnosis through validated resolution and standardisation.
• Support in defining and optimising process parameters and operating windows for critical operations in collaboration with factory to improve stability, quality, and capability.
• Maintain process operating instructions and SOPs; ensure accurate updates in manufacturing systems (e.g. RS Batch, FOXBORO, SCADA, DFOS, SPC) in line with change control requirements.
• Co lead process audits; conduct, analyse, and report on factory process audits and formulation related process risks, ensuring timely technical closure of findings.
• Act as R&D technical support in HAZOPs, dHACCPs, TRA, MOC, and TPM activities relevant to processes.
• Support installation, commissioning, and qualification of powder related equipment as the R&D technical representative, ensuring required process capability is achieved.

Required Skills & Knowledge
Advanced / Expert
• Process scale up from lab/bench scale into pilot and into factory manufacturing processes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and keep stakeholders informed. Communicate about new product commercialization and oversee factory processes to ensure consistent product quality.
• Ability to interpret process data, define process windows, and validate scale up models.
Working Knowledge
• Factory digital and control systems (SCADA, SAP, FOXBORO, PAMCO, DFOS, SPC or equivalents).
• R&D and pilot plant testing methodologies and data interpretation.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• BTech / BSc in Chemical Engineering (or equivalent)

• 3-5 years Demonstrated experience with independent technical ownership of process development and/or scale‑up activities, or FMCG manufacturing

Unilever Behaviors

• Care Deeply: We care deeply about how consumers experience our brands every day, everywhere; about our people’s growth and development, and our impact on the planet. We care about our performance, to a point where it hurts when we don’t win.

• Focus on What Counts: We ruthlessly prioritise what truly matters, and so do fewer things brilliantly. We set clear goals & direction and recognise others for maximum impact.

• Stay Three Steps Ahead: We think boldly and creatively to make breakthroughs in performance. We are always curious and confident - anticipating and staying ahead of consumer needs and external trends, to beat the competition.

• Deliver with Excellence: We deliver excellence in what we do at pace. We take personal ownership and hold each other to account – always finding a way to do what we said we will do.

Unilever is an equal opportunities employer and committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.  We are intentional in employing the best talent that reflects the demographics of our country and which will help build representation of currently under-represented groups. We therefore invite applications from all candidates representing diversity of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief. When appointing potential candidates, the South African Employment Equity and Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Legislation will be considered.  

We are required by law to verify your ability to work lawfully in South Africa. If you are applying as a foreign national, please note that you may be requested to provide supporting documents supporting this.

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.