Unilever
Unilever Industrial Placement Programme - Sustainability UK
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Unilever Industrial Placement (IP) Programme
Our Unilever Industrial Placement (IP) Programme is designed for students who are completing a year in industry as part of their degree studies.
In the UK, our IP programme is a 12-month development scheme, for which we recruit top-performing undergraduate talent, with fresh ideas who are eager to gain exposure to real-world challenges.
All new joiners are given real responsibility from day one and have an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the business. Alongside this, they receive one-to-one mentoring and support to aid their development and help them achieve their goals. These programmes provide a variety of experiences, enabling individuals to learn, grow, develop personally and professionally, build confidence and gain a comprehensive understanding of the business.
About Unilever
Unilever is one of the world's leading FMCG companies, home to iconic brands including Dove, Vaseline, TRESemmé, Lynx, Persil, Domestos, Surf, Radox, Sure and Liquid I.V. Through products used by millions of people every day, we help improve health, wellbeing, confidence and care around the world.
Established over 100 years ago, Unilever has a proud heritage of innovation and a long-standing belief that great brands, great people and responsible business go hand in hand.
Today, we are transforming into a faster, more focused growth company centred on Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care and Home Care. Through world-class brands, cutting-edge science and technology, digital innovation and AI-enabled capabilities, we are building unmissably superior products and experiences for consumers around the world.
A career at Unilever offers the opportunity to work at global scale while helping shape the future of some of the world's most recognised brands. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, bringing curiosity, creativity and passion to solve real business challenges and make a meaningful impact every day.
As we receive a high volume of applications, please make sure to read the job descriptions on our website carefully and apply for the ONE function you are most interested in. Only your first application will be considered
The Role
A placement in Sustainability puts you at the heart of helping shape the long-term success of Unilever's business and the positive impact we create for people and the planet.
Global Sustainability is Unilever's sustainability strategy and delivery engine. It connects long-term ambition, external influence, enterprise governance, performance management and data-driven insight, helping mobilise the entire business to deliver against our goals.
As a Sustainability IP, you'll gain first-hand experience of how sustainability is embedded into business strategy, decision-making and growth. You'll work on some of the most important challenges and opportunities facing business today, helping to shape sustainability strategy, influence external stakeholders, drive business delivery and measure impact.
You will work closely with colleagues across Sustainability, Communications and Corporate Affairs, as well as teams across Business Groups, Supply Chain, Procurement, R&D, Legal, Finance and other functions. This unique cross-functional exposure will help you understand how sustainability is integrated across a global business.
Where Could Your Placement Take You?
One of the unique aspects of this placement is the breadth of opportunities available across Sustainability.
You could support teams setting sustainability strategy and governance, helping shape the long-term direction of the business and ensuring sustainability priorities are embedded across markets, Business Groups and functions.
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You may work with colleagues building the external conditions for success through advocacy, partnerships and stakeholder engagement, supporting Unilever's contribution to major societal and environmental challenges. Alternatively, you could focus on performance, reporting and insight, helping the business track progress, generate data-driven recommendations and communicate impact to internal and external stakeholders.
Depending on your placement, you may contribute to a range of sustainability priorities, including Climate, Nature, Plastics, Social Sustainability and Human Rights, Sustainability Strategy and Governance, Advocacy and Partnerships, Sustainability Performance and Reporting, or Data, Insights and Measurement.
This means no two placements are the same. Whether you're helping shape strategy, analysing data, engaging stakeholders, contributing to reporting, supporting global advocacy programmes or delivering major milestones such as Climate Week, COP, the World Economic Forum or the United Nations General Assembly, you'll gain first-hand experience of how sustainability drives long-term business performance, resilience and growth.
What Could Your Day-to-Day Role Include?
- Gathering and analysing insight from external developments, policy changes, industry trends and stakeholder discussions to inform strategic decision making
- Supporting the development and implementation of sustainability strategies, programmes and governance processes
- Contributing to advocacy initiatives, partnerships and stakeholder engagement activities that help create the conditions for sustainable business growth
- Supporting senior leaders with briefing materials, presentations, events and external engagements
- Assisting with sustainability reporting, performance tracking and disclosure requirements
- Working with data, insights and AI-enabled tools to help improve decision-making and performance measurement
- Creating clear, compelling content for internal and external audiences, including reports, articles and presentations
- Supporting major global moments and events, such as Climate Week, COP, the World Economic Forum and the United Nations General Assembly
- Collaborating with teams across functions, Business Groups and markets to support the delivery of sustainability priorities
What Do We Look For?
We're looking for curious, proactive and collaborative individuals who are passionate about the role business can play in addressing social and environmental challenges.
You'll enjoy solving complex problems, working with data and insights, analysing emerging trends and translating information into clear recommendations and communications. You'll be comfortable working across multiple topics and stakeholders, bringing fresh thinking and a willingness to learn.
With a strong performance culture, challenging goals and continuous feedback, we'll help you achieve your potential in an inclusive environment. You'll gain exposure to real business challenges where your energy, ideas and perspective can make a genuine impact.
No specific degree subject is required, although studies in Sustainability, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Politics, International Relations, Economics, Business, Social Sciences, Data Analytics or Communications may be beneficial.
Skills Required Include
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to build positive working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
- Curiosity about sustainability, business strategy, policy and societal trends
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
- Ability to analyse information and identify meaningful insights
- Confidence working both independently and as part of a team
- Adaptability and willingness to learn in a fast-paced environment
- Taking initiative and proactively identifying opportunities and solutions
- Microsoft 365 skills (PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook and Teams)
- An open-minded, curious and collaborative approach
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Please note that at Unilever we provide extensive development opportunities. While these skills are helpful at the start of the placement, you'll continue to develop them throughout your 12-month programme.
Programme Details
- Location: Hybrid working a minimum of 3 days required weekly at our Kingston office.
- Applications open: Monday 12 October 2026
- Applications close: This is a rolling deadline, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment in case applications close early.
- Start date: June 2027
Industrial Placement (IP) Application Process
Please note: you will only progress to the next stage if you are successful in the previous stage.
Stage 1 – Online Application & IP Simulation
Complete an online application form before completing our interactive IP simulation, designed to give you insight into our organisation and the programme you’re applying for. This will prepare you for a series of situational judgement questions based on realistic business scenarios.
Stage 2 – Online Assessments
Complete a numerical reasoning assessment, an online test that measures your ability to interpret and draw conclusions from numerical data and verbal Reasoning assessment an online test that measures your ability to understand and evaluate written information.
Stage 3 – Digital Interview
Complete a video interview.
Please note, we do not use AI as a screening tool in our recruitment process therefore, your digital interview submission will be reviewed by a real person
Stage 4 – Pre-Screening Interview
Attend a virtual pre-screening interview with a member of our recruitment team.
Stage 5 – In-Person Discovery Centre
Attend an in-person discovery centre alongside fellow candidates. This will give you the opportunity to visit a Unilever office, meet and interview with business leaders, and work on function-related business challenges.
What Can Unilever Offer You?
- A competitive Salary of £27,898.00
- End of Placement Bonus
- Subsidised Gym Memberships - availability varies by site
- Discounted Staff Shop
- Opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.
- 28 days (pro rata) of holiday inclusive of bank holidays. Once you have completed 12 worked weeks, under the Agency Workers Regulation your holiday entitlement will increase to 33 days inclusive of bank holidays, pro rata for the term of this placement.
- Opportunity to join one of our Future Careers Development Teams such as Outreach, Digi, Community & Wellbeing and many more! By joining a team, you can grow business-critical skills, develop Unilever Behaviours, and make a meaningful contribution to Future Careers.
- A dedicated buddy to help you onboard and learn about the business.
- An experienced Line Manager to develop your knowledge and understanding across the year.
- Connections with the Graduates (UFLPs) who can share helpful tips on how to be successful at Unilever.
- To find out more about Future Careers at Unilever UK, check out our Instagram page!
At Unilever, diversity is about embracing differences, championing inclusion, creating
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