What is your role and how long have you been with Unilever?
Currently, I work as a process engineer at Unilever - my second rotation on the Unilever Future Leaders Programme (UFLP). I have been with the company for one year. My role in the factory involves tackling top losses on the production line and strategizing ways to reduce unplanned losses. All these activities are ultimately to further drive Overall Line Effectiveness (OLE) to drive profitable growth and meet consumer demand.
What inspired you to apply?
I was inspired to apply because I wanted to work for a global company known for its innovation and focus on people and the planet. The opportunity to solve complex problems, optimize processes, and improve production efficiency in a fast-paced environment was very appealing. The UFLP also affords you the opportunities to meet a variety of people from all walks of life, expanding your professional network massively. As you go through different rotations, there are many learnings, experiences and opportunities to be had all of which will bring you immense personal growth.
What does a normal day look like for you?
Typically, in morning, reviewing and analyzing the production line performance in the last 24 hours. These are then discussed with the run to standard team at the morning board to decide an action plan for the day to implement solutions that will reduce unplanned downtimes which can be done by investigating minor stops or conducting root cause analysis. Also, another element of my role is ensuring all machine settings are captured and monitored to ensure the line runs at its optimal as well as upskilling operators - this is where your ability to work with different people and coach others come in.
What do you find most interesting?
The most interesting part of my job is the problem-solving aspect. I enjoyed diving deep into the root causes of production issues and finding innovative solutions that have a real impact on performance. It’s rewarding to see the results of process improvements and how they help the team and the company achieve better efficiency.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned so far?
The most important thing I’ve learned is understanding and learning the importance of influencing people. Technical skills and data-driven decision-making are vital, but being able to effectively communicate, motivate, and influence others—whether operators or stakeholders—is key to driving real, lasting improvements. Building relationships and getting buy-in from the team is just as critical as solving the technical problems.
Any tips for anyone applying?
If you're applying for a role like this, focus on developing strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Be prepared to think critically and work with cross-functional teams. It’s also important to have a good understanding of analysing data and technical processes as small changes can lead to big improvements in overall efficiency. Finally, it is important to demonstrate strong interpersonal and leadership potential skills as you will need to be an effective team player that can motivate individuals to help drive growth.