Job Title: Star Partner R&D Lead
Location: 100VE, London
Work Level: 2C
Background
The R&D Partnerships team drives Unilever's "staying three steps ahead" innovation strategy through partnerships that unlock €100m+ value per platform across biotechnology, materials science, AI, and sustainable technologies. While Platform Innovation Leads build new ecosystem partnerships, there's significant untapped innovation potential within Unilever's existing top supplier relationships that requires dedicated focus andexpertise.
Many breakthrough innovationsemergefrom better understanding and connecting existing supplier capabilities with R&D challenges and platform opportunities. This role bridges the gap between Unilever's established supplier relationships and emerging innovation needs.
Main Purpose
TheStar Partner R&DLead maximizes innovation value from Unilever's top supplier relationships, focusing on 4 Star partners initially (expanding to maximum 10) to serve as BG R&D voice and innovation coordinator. You will translate BG needs into co-creation briefs, manage top-to-top strategic cadence alongside Procurement's Partner to Win team, and measure innovation impact (iTO) with existing suppliers.
Working as the holistic partner coordinator across all BGs, you bring integrated R&D perspective rather than BG-specific approaches.You'llserve as voice of R&D in governance meetings and annual events, whilemaintainingdeep strategic relationships with Star partners to unlock maximum innovation value.
Key Focus Areas:
BG Voice & Co-creation- Translate BG R&D needs into actionable supplier briefs
Star Partner Management-Maintainstrategic relationships with 4-10 key suppliers
Governance Coordination- Lead R&D representation in partner meetings and events
Impact Measurement- Track innovation value (iTO) from supplier collaborations
Key Accountabilities:
BG Voice & Needs Translation
Serve asconsolidatedvoice of BG R&D/S&T needs to avoid BG-specific approaches
Translate innovation priorities into actionable co-creation briefs for Star partners
Coordinate with BG R&D teams to understand roadmaps and partnership opportunities
Star Partner Relationship Management
Manage strategic relationships with 4initialStar partners (expanding to maximum 10)
Coordinate top-to-top cadence alongside Procurement's Partner to Win team and manage all follow-ups from strategic sessions
Categorize and map capabilities andexpertiseof Star partners to enable effective matching with Unilever R&D challenges and innovation needs
Work closely with Procurement Partner to Win team to ensure commercial and innovation alignment
Governance & Strategic Coordination
Represent voice of R&D in governance meetings and annual partner events
Facilitate alignment between Star partner capabilities and Platform Innovation Lead requirements
Coordinate governance preparation, agenda setting, and follow-up actions
Innovation Impact Measurement & Reporting
Track and measure innovation impact (iTO) delivered through Star partner collaborations
Develop metrics and reporting frameworks todemonstratepartnership value creation
Prepare performance updates and ROI analysis for R&D leadership
Venture Arm Collaboration & Start-up Ecosystem Engagement
Engage with venture arms of Star partners (e.g., Amcor Ventures) to expand collaboration beyond direct company-to-company innovation
Coordinate mutually beneficial start-up engagements thatleverageboth Unilever and Star partner capabilities and interests
Facilitate three-way partnerships between Unilever, Star partners, and their portfolio start-ups to unlock innovation opportunities
Work with Platform Innovation Leads toidentifystart-up collaboration opportunities thatbenefitfrom Star partner involvement
Key Interfaces:
Internal:Head of R&D Partnerships, Strategy & Operations Lead, Platform Innovation Leads, Partner to Win Manager, BG R&D leadership, RDLT members, Procurement, Legal, Catalyst Manager, Operations Coordinator
External:Star partners, supplier venture teams, Open Innovation Portal applicants, technology assessment partners
Travel Requirement:
Approximately 30% travelrequiredfor supplier visits, innovation sessions, industry events, and relationship management
Critical Success Factors for the Job:
Key Skills
Supplier Relationship Management- Exceptional skills in building andmaintainingstrategic relationships with diverse supplier organizations
Innovation Matching & Pattern Recognition- Ability toidentifyconnections between supplier capabilities and R&D needs or platform opportunities
Technical Understanding- Solid technical foundation to understand supplier innovations across multiple technology domains
Communication & Facilitation- Strong presentation and meeting facilitation skills for top-to-top sessions and stakeholder alignment
Commercial Acumen- Understanding of supplier business models, innovation motivations, and commercial dynamics
Collaborative Approach- Ability to work effectively with Procurement while bringing complementary R&D perspective
Stakeholder Management- Skills in managing complex multi-party relationships and coordinating diverse stakeholders
Strategic Thinking- Ability to see connections between tactical supplier capabilities and strategic platform opportunities
Relevant Experience
Educational Foundation-Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or related field; technical or scientific background preferred
Supplier Management Experience- Significant experiencein supplier management, business development, or strategic partnerships with focus on innovation
Innovation Experience- Proven experienceidentifyingand developing innovation opportunities, preferably in corporate or supplier environments
Relationship Management- Strongtrack recordbuilding andmaintainingstrategic business relationships across diverse organizations
Technical Background- Understanding of R&D processes and innovation development, with ability to evaluate technical capabilities
Cross-Functional Experience- Experience working across procurement, R&D, and commercial functions in complex organizations
Facilitation Experience- Experience coordinating high-level meetings, presentations, and strategic alignment sessions
Industry Knowledge- Familiarity with supplier ecosystems and innovation trends in consumer goods, materials, or related industries
Success Metrics
Number and quality of successful innovationmatchesbetween suppliers and R&D needs or platforms
Supplier relationship health and engagement levels measured through regular feedback and collaboration metrics
Value generated from existing supplier innovation partnerships and capability connections
Effectiveness of top-to-top sessions and strategic relationship coordination activities
This role offers the opportunity to unlock hidden innovation value within Unilever's existing supplier ecosystem while building world-class supplier innovation relationship management capabilities in a strategic, high-impact environment.
NOTES
Please apply via this portal as e-mail applications may not be processed and include your talent card if completed.
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 listed at the right hand side of this vacancy.
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).
Location
In September 2020, Unilever announced the intention to build a new sustainable campus site in Kingston, London. This site will house some employees who currently work in 100 Victoria Embankment in Blackfriars together with colleagues who are currently located in Lever House in Kingston. We are excited to be creating our own Unilever sustainable, agile work environment. The campus is due to be completed in 2026.
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.
Conteúdo Relacionado
Junte-se à nossa rede
de talentos!
Confira nossas oportunidades e junte-se ao nosso time! Preencha os campos necessários para receber vagas que correspondam aos seus desejos de carreira e habilidades.
*campo obrigatório
Entre em contato com a gente
Estamos sempre nos conectando com aquelas pessoas que compartilham o interesse de construir um futuro sustentável.
Contate-nos
Entre em contato com a Unilever e equipes especializadas em nossa sede, ou encontre contatos em todo o mundo.
Contate-nos