R&D Manager Magnum - Extend Pillar

Please Note: The deadline for applying is 23.59 the day before the job posting end date.

• Job Title: R&D Manager Magnum - Extend Pillar
• Location: Colworth Science Park

WorkLevel: 2A

ABOUT THE MAGNUM ICE CREAM COMPANY:

The Magnum Ice Cream Company is all about growth. Growing our business. Growing our customers’ businesses. Growing our people’s careers.​ Growth begins with empowerment. So we free our people to be innovative, responsible entrepreneurs, driven and equipped to give our consumers more amazing products and unforgettable moments – and having fun doing it.​

With 19,000 expert ice cream colleagues and iconic brands like Magnum , Cornetto, Walls  and Ben & Jerry’s, loved in 76 countries, we are the world’s largest Ice Cream company leading the industry.  We have been taking pleasure seriously for more than 100 years, serving happiness with every lick or scoop of ice cream for generations.

We are investing to unlock the full growth potential of The Magnum Ice Cream Company as a standalone entity, once we separate from Unilever, which is planned to happen before the end of 2025.

We dream big but keep things simple to act fast.​

If you want to grow with us, make an impact, and shape the future of Ice Cream, this is the place for you!

Job Purpose

One of the key drivers of growth for the Magnum Ice Cream Company is innovation. As part of the Global Experience, Design & Innovation team this role will have lead responsibility for Global innovations for Magnum focusing on formats beyond the stick.  You will work as part of a team both leading & managing a portfolio of projects to support the growth of the Magnum brand into new format spaces.

The team, based in the Global Design Centre, embraces agile innovation and are fully connected cross-functionally, as well as to the Business Unit R&D teams to land global & regional projects in markets.  Creating and delivering the future ice cream technology & market making innovations is a key part of this role to ensure the business continues to lead the market.   

Responsibilities:

Portfolio Leadership

• Co-develop and deliver global strategy and global 12QP for Magnum extend formats, this is in partnership with Marketing & supply chain. 
• Partner with R&D teams in the Business Groups for transfer of knowledge and best practice into and between the regions for Magnum extended formats.
• Co-create Horizon 2/3 brand technology roadmap with demonstrator products and packaging to showcase future opportunities & drive market making innovation opportunities for Magnum.  
• As Global TPL, lead R&D design, creation and delivery of innovative product formats for launch OTIF .

Technical Project Leadership

• Working closely with extended R&D teams Supply Chain & Quality, manage and lead technical workstreams to deliver priority global projects for Magnum extended formats.
• Drive agile ways of working across project teams and with your business partners, whilst ensuring end-to-end functional excellence, risk assessment, HACCP studies and regulatory compliance.
• Lead robust intellectual property protection, including Patents, Designs Trademarks for new product formats, processes & pack. 
• Manage and lead `Open Innovation’ partners to deliver project(s), including technical delivery, CDA’s, JDA’s and service agreements. 
• Forecast and manage R&D resources & budgets (bought-in, capital & TTE) for your projects.   

Team Development.

• Proactively contribute to the development of the team by providing on-the-job training and assisting in planning and execution of experimental plans & program showcasing.
• Lead by example with an always on inquisitive mindset for product innovation & experiences
• Ensure strong links with key internal partners, Global Formulation, Global Processing & Global packaging to both deliver the program and create the Future growth opportunities for Magnum.

What You Need To Succeed:

Key Skills And Experiences:

• A strong scientific understanding of ice cream formulation & process science and ability to translate into branded product experiences.
• Relevant experience in end to end ice cream product/process development is a must including health and safety measures. 
• A deep passion for product design and creative product development with proven ability to translate consumer habits and needs into market making innovations.
• A collaborative End-to-End mindset is essential and good knowledge of deploying ice creams formats & technologies into factories.
• Previous experience in a supervisory or team leadership role.
• Experience of working with key suppliers in the development of materials and processes with agreement frameworks and IP ownership.
• Excellent communication and project/risk/time management skills, and priority setting.
• Good business acumen with knowledge of key drivers of costs, margin and waste.
• This role requires managing multiple stakeholders across the globe and functions and so a high level of stakeholder management and influencing styles is required. 
• Working with colleagues from different cultures and team building – virtually and face-to-face. 
• Degree level qualification (or equivalent) and / or relevant experience in a technical discipline preferably in food technology or development. 

LEADERSHIP:  The Ice Cream Way

We are looking for bold, driven individuals who thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and share our approach to growth, collaboration, and innovation. Here’s what defines success in our organization:

Focus on Growth – Embracing new challenges, seeking opportunities to innovate, and continuously looking for ways to expand and improve. Whether it’s scaling markets, evolving roles, or leading teams, we value those who see possibilities and take initiative.

Speed & Simplicity – Working efficiently, adapting quickly, and simplifying processes by leveraging technology to drive better outcomes. With ethical decision-making as the backbone to this, we drive agility and stay focused.

Winning with Fun – Collaborating, integrating seamlessly with a founder/owner mindset, keeping what’s best for the company at the heart of all that is done. We build diverse, inclusive, and winning teams that drive our business.

Bold Innovations – Experimenting with fresh ideas and innovative thinking that shape our industry, through product development, process improvements, and customer experiences. Being obsessed with the consumer, we embrace change to drive growth.

Care & Challenge – Fostering an open, transparent environment where team members can grow, share feedback openly, holding themselves and each other to high standards while maintaining a strong sense of support and camaraderie.

Expertise in our category – A deep understanding of our industry, customers, and market trends enabling us to stay ahead and turn challenges into opportunities. Curiosity, insight, and a willingness to learn and lead enables us to remain market makers.

If these qualities resonate with you, we’d love to connect and explore how you can be part of our team.

Notes

Please apply via this portal as e-mail applications may not be processed and include your Future Fit Plan if possible.

By applying for this vacancy, you are confirming that you have made your Line Manager aware of your application and that you are at a point in your career with Unilever where it is appropriate for you to be applying for other positions.   

Should you require additional information or reasonable adjustments to allow you to present your best self during this process, please contact your Talent Partner Ian Miles on Ian.miles@unilever.com  

What We Offer

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 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 (unilever.com).

Relocation to the UK 

Please be aware if you are applying for this role from outside the UK, if successful, your application will be treated as a self-initiated Change Location Outside of Country (CLOC) transfer. This means any relocation costs must be self-funded with the potential to reclaim some specific pre-approved expenses up to £5,000. Please speak to your Talent Partner if you have any questions.