Innovation Planner

Innovation Planner

Englewood Cliffs, NJ

Unilever’s mission is to add Vitality to Life.  We meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life.

Unilever is among the Top 70 of the Fortune Global 500 Companies.  We are also one of the world’s leading suppliers of fast moving consumer goods in foods, household and personal care products.  Our purpose is to meet the everyday needs of people everywhere – to anticipate the aspirations of our consumers and customers and to respond creatively and competitively with branded products and services, which raise the quality of life.

The Innovation Planner role reports to the Supply Chain Innovation Manager for Savory, supporting the US and Canadian Savory business. The Savory business consists of four main segments, Frozen, Wet Savory (Pasta Sauce), Dry Savory and Chilled.

The role is designed to work with Brand Development and the cross functional innovation teams (IPT's), managing Innovation and Rejuvenation projects to an On Time In Full launch into the Market. This includes development and maintenance of timelines for each project as well as conflict resolution as issues arise on projects that threaten OTIF delivery. Some support to VIP initiative is also in scope.

The main responsibilities of the Innovation Planner include:

- Work with Innovation Project Manager (PM) to support all key innovation projects.

- Timeline maintenance. Manage adherence to timelines to ensure key milestones are achieved on time in full.

- Represent SC in Innovation Meetings in absence of Innovation Project Manager and on assigned projects.

- Update risk management plans.

- Evaluate risk and escalate to Innovation PM or SC Management when necessary.

- Issue monthly Innovation Tracker and other periodic Reports

- Lead the IPT's through the Gate Move Checklists when Projects are ready to request the RCLT for approval to advance.

- Review the RQS with the IPT's prior to Gate Moves.

Minimum Requirements

- BS degree in Logistics, Engineering or other Technical discipline is preferred.

- 5 years experience in production planning, supply chain or R&D.

- Strong project management experience (2+ yrs)

- Experience with SAP as well as a working knowledge of Unilever's Systems and Innovation management tools is also desirable.

- Less than 10% travel.

Organizational skills, time management and attention to detail are key success factors. Experience working across all functions is a key aspect to the role. In particular, building strong relationships with Brand Development is a critical success factor. Holding cross functional team members accountable for on time delivery of their tasks supporting projects is core to the role.

Unilever offers a competitive compensation package which includes:  Medical & Dental Plans, Life Insurance, including spouse & children, Health Care Flexible Spending, Dependent Care, Retirement & Savings Plans, Tuition Reimbursement, Paid Vacation and Holidays.

Visit our website at www.unileverusa-careers.com or to apply now, click on the link below.

https://recruitment.unileverservices.com//MAIN/careerportal/job_profile.cfm?szOrderID=19916

Unilever is an equal opportunity employer.  It prohibits discrimination based on age, color, disability, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-employment drug-screening results and background investigation.