Personal Care Innovation Planner

Role Overview

The Innovation Planner is accountable for driving innovation, renovation, and portfolio upkeep projects within Unilever International's Personal Care segment. Acting as the central coordinator, this position manages cross-functional groups to guarantee the timely, complete, and compliant execution of new launches, product modifications, and updates driven by regulations.

This role covers the North and Southeast Asia sourced Personal Care range, contributing approximately €200 million annual turnover within a €600 million UI Personal Care business segment, making it essential for both growth and operational consistency.

The Innovation Planner works at the nexus of Marketing, R&D, Regulatory, Procurement, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and Supply Chain functions, ensuring smooth innovation progress from ideation through launch and ongoing market performance.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead innovation projects, renovations, and portfolio upgrades for categories including Deodorants, Oral Care, Fragrance, and Skin Cleansing.
• Create and oversee detailed project timelines and networks to secure successful outcomes.
• Coordinate project initiations while aligning cross-departmental teams on critical milestones and deliverables.
• Ensure innovation projects meet on-time, in-full delivery goals across all global markets.
• Continuously monitor project status, preemptively addressing potential risks and escalating issues as needed.
• Head mandatory product revisions to comply with regulatory demands and ensure uninterrupted market supply.
• Manage changes to product specifications, formulations, packaging, and artwork aligned with regulatory updates.
• Implement compliance-related projects, such as ingredient substitutions including CMR-free mandates.
• Serve as the integration point among Marketing, R&D, Regulatory, Procurement, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and Supply Chain departments.
• Influence and align multidisciplinary stakeholders without direct reporting lines to accomplish objectives.
• Facilitate governance forums to report on schedules, risks, and mitigation plans with transparency.
• Foster robust collaboration across global, regional, and local teams.
• Collaborate with manufacturers and suppliers to prepare for new product launches and changes.
• Support supply chain readiness, including planning and inventory transitions to reduce waste and maintain service quality.
• Lead successful commercialization efforts from development phases through market introduction.
• Identify execution, compliance, supply, and business risks proactively, establishing mitigation and escalation protocols.
• Maintain rigorous project governance and support leadership reviews with clear reporting.
• Leverage digital solutions such as Power BI and project management software to enhance visibility and decision-making, and drive continuous process improvements.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations, Business, Analytics, or a related field.
• Proven experience in project management, innovation planning, supply chain, product development, or business operations.
• Strong analytical capabilities paired with adept problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Capacity to effectively collaborate across diverse functions, geographical locations, and cultural contexts.
• Exceptional planning, prioritization, and organizational aptitudes.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in FMCG, consumer products, or manufacturing industries.
• Familiarity with product development and market launch processes.
• Experience with regulatory compliance and product change management initiatives.
• Proficient in Power BI or comparable data reporting tools.
• Certifications such as APICS or project management credentials.

Additional Information

The listed duties are not all-encompassing and may adjust as necessary depending on business needs.

Hiring prioritizes local Singaporean applicants in compliance with government guidelines, although international candidates will be considered if local talent is unavailable.

Unilever is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, encouraging applicants to bring their full selves, with support available for any access requirements during recruitment.