HC UK/I Regulatory Affairs Lead

Employer: Unilever

Location: Kingston Upon Thames, England, United Kingdom

Salary: Competitive

Closing date: 30 Mar 2025

Sector: Manufacturing, Science and Pharmaceutical

Role: Manager

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full Time

Job Title: HC UK/I Regulatory Affairs Lead

Business Function: R&D

Location: Kingston

Work-Level: 2B

JOB PURPOSE

Sets the Home Care UK/I Regulatory strategy for delivering UK/I innovation and the creation and execution of the UK/I technical advocacy needs for Home Care products.

RESPONSIBILITIES

INNOVATION

• Provides regulatory input to the Home Care innovation projects
• Supports the R&D innovation program
• Provides regulatory review and assessments for Home Care products to be marketed in the UK & Ireland.
• Is expert on regulatory developments which could affect the UK/I Home Care products and ensures that these developments are incorporated into the European innovation plans
• Can be the issue leader of topics related to own expertise and UK/I business

Contributes to European Home Care RA network:

• Monitors what is going on in markets / challenges in/out
• Prepares and communicates regulatory summaries on UK/I Home Care specific matters
• Translates regulation(s) into a set of rules (RA rule engine)

Manages RA for UK/I Home Care projects

• Provides regulatory updates on regulations affecting UK/I Home Care products, gives training (interprets regulations)
• Develops the UK/I support dossiers for product classification in accordance with CLP regulation.
• Works with the Regulatory Authorities as required in discussions regarding product classification and Detergent legislative controls and other necessary product legislation, where required.
• Develops and co-creates claims together with delivery of guidance and guardrails on specific claims areas
• Anticipates regulatory challenges for the future which could drive the external influencing agenda for UK/I Home Care as input for the advocacy agenda and innovation plans
• Works with EU/UK/I Biocide lead to ensure smooth registrations to enable successful product launches related to Home Care biocidal product innovation projects

ADVOCACY

• Leads the UK/I Home Care regulatory advocacy program
• Creates and agrees agenda of the regulatory advocacy program together with identification of ownership with relevant stakeholders
• Drives the UK/I position on specific regulatory advocacy topics and related communication plan with other functions
• Is project leader; setting goals, plan as required
• Stakeholder management and reporting (internal as Business Partner, external as advocate)
• Inputs into Home Care Global Regulatory Affairs (RA) strategy
• Ensures cascading into RA and its interfaces and supports internal requests
• Monitors the external environment
• Drives for change in regulation or establishing new product regulations (=proactively influence to expand the innovation space)
• Defends Unilever positions in the face of new regulations or amendment in regulations
• Issue management (pro-active planning) and/or acts as (in some cases) Issue Leader (External Affairs owns process)
• Works seamlessly with EU RA Home Care colleagues to understand business impact for all changes linked to European Green Deal, to ensure regulatory preparedness for the UK/I business.

Develops and maintains excellent interfaces with internal and external relevant partners

• Represents UK/I RA in other Unilever functions (SEAC, External Affairs, Legal, ) on assigned topic(s)
• Strengthen/build networks as required (with regulators and relevant Key Opinion Formers / stakeholders)
• Has direct contact/represents Unilever in external bodies; e.g., Trade Associations, Alliances / Coalitions; expert working group, key influencers, etc.

ALL ABOUT YOU

Education

Minimum BSc, preferably an M.S. or PhD in Regulatory Toxicology (preferred), Chemistry, Toxicology, Biological Science, Environmental Science or equivalent.

Experience

• Extensive experience within an FMCG environment with expertise in EU and GB relevant Home Care legislation such as Detergent Regulation, CLP and REACh.
• Proven track record in active collaboration with R&D and non-R&D functions as well as 3rd parties in support of innovation programmes.
• Proven record in driving the Unilever agenda by interacting with, and influencing trade associations, regulatory authorities, NGOs, and other key stakeholders.
• Pro-active self-direction with a high level of initiative and persistence and a very much hands-on approach to results delivery
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to assess regulatory risks and opportunities and the impact it has on the existing and innovation portfolios
• Ability to apply argumentation in order to influence at all levels externally and internally.

NOTES

Please apply via this portal as e-mail applications may not be processed and include your Future Fit Plan if possible.

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 Hannah Cottier on

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.

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.