R&D Assistant Manager - Ice Cream

1. Scope of service:
First point contact for Cluster Design, local cross function business team. Have direct responsibility of the Deploy Ice cream VN.
Is part of the Ice cream end to end organization of RD in SEA base in VN and part of the RD community in SEA
Potentially can be assigned as TPL for projects which fit capability development phase in Ice cream and/F&R where appropriate.
2. Detail activities:
R&D Assistant Manager is responsible for a defined product portfolio in set category as technical business partner for the go to market organization (marketing, sales, quality, legal, consumer care lines as main functions) in implementing and activating products in the local market to drive sales and to be compliant with UL and local legislation and market requirements. In this context they work closely with other R&D capabilities like nutrition, regulatory and packaging as well as their RDC (Regional Deploy Centers) counterparts within the SEAA region and need to ensure consistent country messages across the different function. Main accountabilities & decision-making requirements:
Responsible and accountable to deliver agreed Ice cream R&D program in the country in close partnership with RDC - Accountability for project leadership for VN Ice cream leadership team and OTIF delivery Vietnam Ice cream projects
First point of call for any country activities that requires R&D input for Ice cream
Accelerating the KBS (Knowledge Based Selling) concept or Selling stories (Ice cream). Training of relevant Operational Company business partners (production, consumer care line, quality assurance, customer development and brand building) on technical aspects of the relevant product portfolio/category and/or new product launches - Technical implementation of relevant product innovations, brand led growth and sustainability initiatives for the Vietnam market
Technical approval of all product relevant messages in advertising and activation (point of sale, TV, print, outdoor, PR/media) in cooperation with legal, regulatory and nutrition; providing substantiation where required for localized claims based on provided claims substantiation document
Generating learning from project implementations (PLE) on local deploy part
Support packaging development to deliver OTIF agreed Vietnam ICE CREAMs sustainable packaging plan
Ensuring product compliance (artwork approval, ingredient registration) according to local regulatory requirements as well as Unilever policies and standards in cooperation with local interfaces (legal, regulatory and nutrition) as well as regional product development
Works closely with Cluster Design to provide local legal, customer and consumer requirements/insights (local market needs, distribution/usage conditions and secondary packaging requirements, sustainability and quality requirements), as well as competitor intelligence into product development, interfacing with other capabilities (regulatory, nutrition, packaging, specification) as required
Identify and estimate potential innovation quality issues based on local market knowledge, investigating quality complaints and as first point of contact for local quality assurance advocate/work with the RDCs to solve the issue
Support and provide technical input during competitor and authority challenges, PR issues and consumer enquiries
Deliver efficiency target/ resiliency/ contingency activities in close partnership with RDC/GDC/SC/Capability Leaders/Suppliers
Harmonization of existing RMs in plant for innovation project to reduce complexity in close partnership with RDC/GDC/SC/Capability Leaders/Suppliers
Alternative Supplier Approval/ Alternative Materials Approval for Vietnam business continuity