Richard Ward

Experience

• 

  Unilever

  Sept 1997 - now

  Accountable for Formulation, Processing and Packaging Design for all of Unilever's Core Formats - Roll Ons, Sticks, Soft Solids, Creams & Lotions, and Aerosols. My team delivers end to end product development across our three global brands of Dove / Dove Men, Rexona / Degree / Sure and Axe / Lynx.Also accountable for Capability Leadership of Formulation Development, Processing Development and Packaging Design across Deodorants Global Category R&D, aswell as the lead on Packaging Sustainability, and Design-led Savings initiatives. Show less Accountable for the design and development of Deodorant Aerosol and Spray formats in Unilever’s Deodorants Global Design Centre. Formulation, process, packaging design, consumer insight, testing and claims are all included, from ideas through to launch phase in lead cluster.Also, functional accountability for Packaging across the Deodorants category, ensuring the building of capabilities (human, process and infrastructure). Other formats include Roll Ons, Sticks, Cremes and Lotions, and other novel formats, as well as secondary packaging and channel specific formats, such as eCommerce.Three principal global brands are included Rexona (Sure), Axe (Lynx) and Dove, as well as work on several smaller brands. Show less Principally accountable for delivering Unilever's Packaging Excellence Strategy, driving best practice and continuous improvement in the technologies, processes, tools and techniques used in end to end Packaging Development across twelve product categories. Role scope includes Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Packaging, aswell as Electro-Mechanical Devices, and ensures appropriate consideration is given to our go-to-market channels, with particular emphasis on eCommerce.Also responsible for delivering the People strategy, building capability of existing resources and growing a talent pipeline for the future, for a global Packaging community of approximately 800 professionals. Packaging Skills & Leadership development is delivered via our Unilever Packaging Academy, which I own and operate on behalf of the Packaging function.The role scope also includes supporting Unilever's Vice President, Packaging, in delivering the totality of the Packaging Capability programme for Unilever R&D, including strategy, budget and organisational evolution. Show less Responsible for ensuring projects are in place to deliver the R&D requirements of the existing pipeline of innovations, and providing technical project leadership for the bigger activities for Sunsilk Hair Care, a €1 Billion Global Brand. The first point of technical contact / "go-to" for the Global Brand Team, co-creating a consumer relevant technology strategy and innovation pipeline aligned to category and brand strategy, and delivering to the hugely complex needs of Sunsilk consumers.Working with Research and New Technology Design Leaders to provide a test bed for new technology and to provide early feedback on market performance. Nourishing Brand technology strategy by maintaining a strong awareness of the consumer relevant fashion trends relating to haircare, particularly in the variety of emerging and developing economies in which Sunsilk dominates.Building Aerosol Capability within the Hair Category to ensure safety and rigour in the development process in support of the growth of the format. Show less Responsible for the planning of a portfolio of global innovation and renovation projects for the Axe / Lynx & Impulse Deodorant Brands. The project portfolio includes a variety of projects with varying scope, from New Variant to full Range Refresh, and typically cover 2 – 4 year time horizons. Represent the Supply Chain on assigned global innovation project teams, and lead the definition and coordinate the delivery of supply chain workstreams for assigned projects including Capital Expenditure estimates, and developing capacity plans for new products. Show less Responsible for the strategic development of processing technology and capability for Unilever’s Deodorants Category across it’s global operations. The role requires collaborative working with Marketing and Development functions to both influence future innovation programmes and to ensure that the Supply Chain is appropriately configured to deliver those programmes. Responsible also for the development and implementation of Processing Technology Strategy including the leadership of new technology capability projects, such as Semi Continuous process routes.Ownership of the Global Core Design for Process Plant and have designed new Aerosol manufacturing facilities. My Supply Chain portfolio includes 15 Sourcing Units globally. Show less

  • Global R&D Director - Deodorants Format Design

    Mar 2021 - now

  • Global R&D Director - Deodorant Aerosols & Packaging

    Jun 2018 - Mar 2021

  • Global R&D Packaging Director - Operational Excellence

    Apr 2014 - Mar 2021

  • Technical Brand Manager (Sunsilk)

    Feb 2012 - Mar 2014

  • Global Innovation Planner (Deodorants, Axe / Lynx & Impulse)

    Dec 2010 - Feb 2012

  • Global Process Technology Manager (Deodorants Category)

    Jan 2007 - Dec 2010

  • Operational Excellence Manager

    Jun 2003 - Dec 2006

  • Various roles

    Sept 1997 - Jun 2003