B&Js Product Developer in Manchester

Scope: 1 year Secondment in B&J’s Global RD&I Team

Reports to: B&J’s Research, Design & Innovation EU Lead

Location: TMICC Research, Design & Innovation Global Centre – Colworth Science Park

Terms and Conditions: Full time

About the Magnum Ice Cream Company

The Magnum Ice Cream Company is all about growth. Growing our business, our customers’ businesses and our people’s careers. We empower 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 Wall’s, Cornetto and Ben & Jerry’s, loved in 76 countries, we are the world’s largest ice cream company leading the industry.

About Ben & Jerry’s

Ben & Jerry’s Homemade Inc. started in 1978 in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont. It became a wholly–owned subsidiary of Unilever (now TMICC) in 2000 while maintaining an independent board. Our products are distributed in 35 countries. We pioneer a linked prosperity business model to advance social and economic justice while growing sales. We’re expanding rapidly in Europe and new markets in Asia and Latin America.

Job Purpose

This role sits in Ben & Jerry’s Global R&D team, supporting the European R&D agenda. It involves contributing to innovation through new product development while ensuring continuity of existing business operations. The role leads smaller initiatives and supports more complex projects led by experienced technologists. Collaboration across R&D disciplines, marketing, supply chain, procurement, and external partners is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, organise and execute a variety of project types as assigned under guidance from line manager, working closely with R&D experts.
• Work closely with marketing teams in Europe and local country teams to define project scope at the start.
• Support or lead technical delivery of projects covering product concepts, formulation design, lab and pilot plant prototypes, cost and quality assessments, sustainability, legislation compliance, and claims.
• Use creativity and collaborate with our Global Chef to develop great products.
• Work closely with key internal partners such as Marketing, Supply Chain and Finance.
• Manage supplier relationships, coordinating with Procurement.
• Write and manage specifications and systems data for the products.
• Develop selling stories and support Customer Development teams with sell‑in meetings.

Skills, Experiences & Qualifications

• Great knowledge of and passion for product design and creative product development.
• Experience delivering projects from brief to market is desirable.
• Experience working cross‑functionally and with third parties.
• Excellent communication, project management skills and a collaborative mindset.
• Attention to detail especially in experimentation, data recording and analysis.
• Understanding of scale‑up and operational implementation.
• Time management and priority setting.
• Degree level qualification (or equivalent) in a technical discipline, preferably in food technology or development.

Leadership – The Ice Cream Way

• Focus on Growth – embracing new challenges and seeking opportunities to innovate.
• Speed & Simplicity – working efficiently, adapting quickly and simplifying processes.
• Winning with Fun – collaborating with a founder/owner mindset and keeping the company’s best at heart.
• Bold Innovations – experimenting with fresh ideas that shape the industry.
• Care & Challenge – fostering an open, transparent environment where teams grow and support each other.
• Expertise in our category – deep understanding of industry, customers and market trends.

Travel Requirements

The candidate may be required to support factory productions in the EU and attend meetings and workshops as needed.

Additional Information

We anticipate the Ice Cream business will separate from Unilever by the end of 2025. Any impact on terms and conditions will be communicated in due course. Local conditions apply to the position.

Unilever embraces diversity and encourages applicants from all walks of life. Full and fair consideration is given to all applicants, with continued development regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity. This is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Are you excited to craft the ice cream future? Please apply online and upload your CV. Your application will be reviewed against the requirements, and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date with an update on the status of your application.