Fragrance Lab Technician US Hub

Job Title: Fragrance Lab Associate Manager, US Hub

Location: Trumbull, CT

Work Level: 1C

Want to change the world?

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Beauty, Personal and Home Care products with sales in over 190 countries and reaching 2 billion consumers a day. Unilever has more than 400 brands found in homes around the world, including Dove, Sure, TRESemmé, Sunsilk, Vaseline, Comfort, Persil, Surf and Lynx. We want to move towards a connected world where everyone can live well and within the natural limits of the planet. That’s why our purpose is “to make sustainable living commonplace”.

As one of the world’s largest users of Fragrances, we recognise that creating exceptional fragrances is at the heart of delivering extraordinary consumer experiences and driving desire at scale. Superior fragrances play a critical role in the delivery of unmissable superiority for Unilever. To support this, we have embarked on a fragrance transformation journey with expert inhouse fragrance teams, designing and formulating affordable winning fragrances for our Personal Care, Beauty & Wellbeing and Home Care Business Groups.

Job Purpose

We are seeking a passionate, independent, team-player and detail-oriented Fragrance Lab Associate Manager to join Unilever Fragrance House team in Trumbull, CT. This role is critical to ensure on time and in full end to end fragrance creation compounding lab workstreams which supporting the creation, evaluation, optimization of fragrance applications across a wide range of product formats, and sample production for technical and consumer studies. This role ensures the end‑to‑end operational excellence of the UFH lab, enabling continuity, resilience, and high‑quality delivery across all fragrance creation workflows. This role is the primary owner of end-to-end lab operations for UFH Trumbull.

The Fragrance Lab Associate Manager is responsible for end-to-end operational leadership of the Unilever Fragrance House (UFH) laboratory in Trumbull, CT. This role ensures the timely, high‑quality, and compliant execution of fragrance creation workflows, including sample preparation, fragrance compounding, technical testing, and sensory study support. The position is the primary owner of UFH Trumbull lab operations—driving continuity, resilience, safety, and excellence across all fragrance development activities.

Main Responsibilities
Leadership & Operational Ownership

• Owns and takes decision on set sampling workflows
• Oversee the sample preparation workflow and escalate risks when identified
• Drives the operational structure of the US Fragrance Lab and occasionally serves as mentor and guide for junior team members 
• Has technical maturity and expertise in interpreting formula-fragrance interaction, advanced understanding of Raw Materials and ability to design studies
• Defines best practices for lab operations and sampling workflows
• Acts as point-of-contact for audits and internal reviews. 

Fragrance Application & Sample Preparation

• Prepare fragrance‑applied samples accurately across multiple product categories, including:
• Personal Care: Body wash, bar soap, deodorant sticks & roll-ons, aerosols, whole body deodorants, mists, and innovative formats.
• Beauty & Wellbeing: Shampoo, conditioner, stylers, lotions, creams, dry shampoo, mists, and innovation formats.
• Home Care: Liquid laundry detergents, fabric softeners, surface cleaners, dishwashing liquids, and formats supported by site capabilities.
• Other Formats: Candles and innovative UFH Engagement Program formats.
• Ensure fragrance–base compatibility and stability.

Fragrance Compounding

• Independently and accurately compounds complex fragrance oils. Calculates chemicals needed, weighs, and mixes in accord with formula
• Must be familiar with the odor and physical appearance of basic raw materials. 

Technical Scope

• Prepare all samples required for sensory evaluations and olfactive panels
• Run QC for all compounded oils
• Conduct basic stability and measurement science tests (e.g., pH, viscosity, color, appearance), as requested for each study
• Conduct basic olfactive evaluations of samples
• Plan and execute stability studies using the recommended Unilever protocol
• Maintain accurate records of sample preparation, test results, and observations
• Design and execute DoE studies for full formulation or RM and provide recommendations and conclusions to the rest of the UFH team
• Experience with statistical tools for DoE (e.g., JMP, Minitab) preferred. 

Lab Operations & Maintenance

• Ensure all lab equipment is maintained and calibrate
• Keeps all lab documentation up to date and centrally available
• Manages the inventory of unfragranced bases, and consumables ensuring minimum waste
• Plan and execute the availability of base for projects in conjunction with the Technical project leader
• Follow safety and quality protocols in all lab activities and ensures lab is ready for inspections if required
• Create a best‑in‑class sampling process, ensuring on‑time delivery, quality, and cost control
• Improvement proposals for facility standards, including space layout

Collaboration & Communication

• Work cross-functionally with formulation teams, fragrance compounder, perfumer, fragrance evaluators and the Technical Project Lead
• Participate in project meetings and contribute to technical discussions
• Communicate clearly and delivers with excellence
• Prepare and present studies reports including hypothesis and recommended next steps
• Required Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, or related scientific discipline preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in fragrance compounding, applications, and laboratory operations.

Key Accountabilities:

• Timely and accurate preparation of samples across all relevant formats, ensuring proper identification of the sample
• Compound fragrances for perfumers
• Maintenance of high standards in lab safety, cleanliness, and documentation
• Manages fragrance QC, stability testing and reporting
• Support for innovation and technical development initiatives
• Uphold lab KPIs such as OTIF, QC accuracy, stability study timeliness, and safety compliance. 

Key Experience & Skills Required:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or higher in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Cosmetic Science, or related field preferred
• Experience: Minimum 7 years in fragrance compounding and application specialist with experience in running lab operations
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills. Delivering with Excellence across the scope under their care
• Seeks help as needed to prioritize and focus on what counts
• Familiarity with lab equipment and basic analytical techniques
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment. Holding themselves and the team with whom they interact accountable for high standard delivery (Cares deeply about the work and their colleagues)
• Good communication and documentation skills. Able to Stay 3 steps ahead anticipating obstacles and delays on the projects with a proactive attitude
• Must have lab operations and safety skills
• Technical Knowledge: Must be familiar with the odor and physical appearance of basic raw materials
• Understanding of fragrance behavior in different product bases
• Working knowledge of fragrance application across different bases
• Ideally worked in the fragrance industry and is able to evaluate fragrances and compound
• Working knowledge of formulation principles and stability testing
• Understanding of regulatory requirements (IFRA, SDS, Unilever standards)
• Willingness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced innovation environment. 

Pay: The pay range for this position is $88,600 to $133,000. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs.

Bonus: This position is bonus eligible.

Long-Term Incentive (LTI): This position is LTI eligible.

Benefits: Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

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At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee.

Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities.

For more information on your federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at NA.Accommodations@unilever.com. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.