**Ben & Jerry's Product Developer**
**Description**
Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc\., started in 1978 in a renovated gas station in Burlington, Vermont, USA, founded by childhood friends and dedicated activists Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield\. In 2000 Ben & Jerry’s became a wholly\-owned subsidiary of Unilever whilst maintaining an independent Board of Directors to provide leadership focused on preserving and expanding Ben & Jerry's social mission, brand integrity, and product quality\. Nowadays our products are distributed in 35 countries in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, franchised Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops, restaurants and other venues\.
At Ben & Jerry’s we have an inspiring ambition: We aim to pioneer our ‘linked prosperity business model’ to advance the global movement for social and economic justice while growing our sales\. The model is as simple as it is radical: When the company benefits, all those touched by the company also benefit, including employees, suppliers, customers, and communities\. Therefore we are expanding rapidly in Europe as well as in new markets in Asia and Latin America\. This translates into a high\-paced growth environment where we bring our grassroots and activist spirit every day\. That is how we remain a true values\-led organisation with a connected 3 part mission, which you will find reflected in your goals and aspirations:
1\) Social mission: to initiate innovative ways to improve the quality of life locally, nationally and internationally
2\) Product mission: to make and distribute the finest quality all natural and super premium ice\-cream and euphoric concoctions
3\) Economic mission: to operate the Company on a sustainable financial basis of profitable growth
**Role & Responsibilities – your purpose**
This role is in Ben & Jerry’s global product design team which is part of the broader Refreshment R&D team in North America\.
To ensure Ben & Jerry’s has the best ice cream made in the best possible way, its R&D team plays a key role in delivering renovation, innovation, value improvement and quality improvement throughout the portfolio of Ben & Jerry’s super premium, ice\-cream products
The candidate will help create new and exciting flavors while helping to provide materials needed to grow the B&J’s global portfolio\. The duties include, but are not limited to:
* Scoping and development of product ideas, flavours, designs and formulations
* Preparation and flavour evaluation of laboratory samples and product prototypes
* Management of product specifications \(Interspec/PLM\), declarations \(nutrition and legal\) and certifications \( i\.e\. fair trade, GMO\-free, Kosher and Halal\)
* Organization R&D factory trials in the GDC/RDC lab, in pilot plants and in sourcing units to ensure we have successful product launches\.
* Regularly, reviewing and reporting project status and updates to project technical leader and marketing project leader\.
* Brainstorm with vendors to discuss new product innovations
* Working with regional R&D teams to prepare and share formulation, regulatory and quality materials to support new product launches\.
* Prepare import documentation, label compliance forms and inter\-company agreements between local sourcing units and the identified importing region\.
The role requires the ability to organize and execute 5 or more different projects across multiple regions in parallel and at a fast pace, while still managing everyday tasks and duties to support the R&D department\.
**Skills & Experience**
Given Ben & Jerry’s unique position within Unilever, the ability to build excellent relationships within both Unilever and Ben & Jerry’s will be essential\. We are looking for people who can ultimately leverage the marketing excellence and operational effectiveness that is built by Unilever – while preserving the 3 part mission and community of connectivity within Ben & Jerry’s\. Having the right energy and attitude to connect both parts of our organisation will be critical for success\.
The ideal candidate needs to be passionate about food and excited about identifying new ingredients and new opportunities for differentiating Ben & Jerry’s in the world of ice cream\. The ideal candidate would also have the ability to combine those ingredients in creative ways that are both novel and delicious\. Prior culinary training would be considered a big plus\. Being a “foodie” is equally important\.
**Other required skills/experiences – hard skills needed for the role:**
* University degree/diploma in food science/technology\. BS/BA in Food Science/Technology/Nutrition or related field
* Candidates are expected to have 3\-5 years’ experience in the food industry, preferably in product formulation\. Experience in Ice Cream product development would be an advantage but not required\.
* Consumer orientation: would need to reach out to the B&J’s Brand Team to get insights and understanding of the B&J’s consumer and their differences across countries\.
* Proven communication and interpersonal skills, ability to work with cross functional teams\.
* Computer proficiency with a focus on data and specification management is preferred\.
* Creative problem solver\. Ability to use Unilever development tools \(PLM, Interspec, Innoplan, BLUE etc\.\) is a bonus\.
* Ability to be proactive in the face of new challenges and changing environments
Travel requirements It is anticipated that the candidate may be required to support factory trials in Vermont and possibly additional factories within the US\. Frequency will vary, but usually 6\-8 times per year\.
**Our people profile**
To support out 3\-part mission, Ben & Jerry’s also has an outspoken people\-mission\. We look for people with these characteristics to strengthen our team:
\- Purpose\-driven: passion and drive to make a real impact with through our Social Mission
\- Empathy: curious to collaborate with a variety of personalities and styles and to build excellent relationships with internal & external stakeholders – this includes cross\-functional relationships and striving for collaborative success
\- Mastery: continuously learn, grow and develop to contribute to B&Js
\- Autonomy: dare to make choices and take ownership
\- Activism: interested in bringing about political or social connectivity
Please note: as part of the job application, you will be asked to complete pre\-screening questions\. Completion of the pre\-screening questions are mandatory in order to be considered\. Please allow yourself plenty of time to complete both the application and pre\-screening questions\. If the pre\-screening questions are partially answered or not at all, it will adversely affect the progress of your application\. Please be aware that you will have to complete the pre\-screening questions at once as you will be unable to return to it later\.
Unilever is an organization committed to diversity and inclusion to drive our business results and create a better future every day for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities\. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business\.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities
Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination under Federal law\. For more information, please see EEO is the Law\.
Employment is subject to verification of pre\-employment drug\-screening results and background investigation\.
**Job:** Research/Development
**Primary Location:** United States\-Vermont\-South Burlington\-South Burlington \-30 Community
**Schedule:** Full\-time
**Shift:** Day Job
**Travel:** No
**Unposting Date:** Oct\-28\-2016, 10:59:00 PM
**Req ID:** 16000H7R