ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A NEW CHALLENGE AS STRATEGY & INNOVATION MANAGER AT UNILEVER?
UNILEVER IS LOOKING FOR A GLOBAL KNORR AND COOKING AIDS CATEGORY STRATEGY & INNOVATION MANAGER UNILEVER FOOD SERVICE (UFS)
We are looking for a candidate that develops and implements the long-term global strategy for SCA category (Scratch Cooking Aids Category: Convenience cooking products like bouillons, sauces, seasonings).
Location: Weena, Rotterdam – the Netherlands
Local conditions apply
Full-time
For the recruitment of this position, we would like to emphasize that local conditions apply to the position and for this vacancy in principle we will first consider candidates based in the Netherlands. If you are based outside of the Netherlands and you are interested to apply, please feel free to do so but we can only take your application on if a decision is made to also recruit outside of the Netherlands.
ABOUT UNILEVER
With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.
At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.
ABOUT UNILEVER FOOD SOLUTIONS (UFS)
Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) is the foodservice business unit of Unilever with businesses in 76 countries across the world. We are a dedicated, fast growing and profitable business unit within Nutrition, serving a wide range of chefs, operators, trade partners, distributive sales reps, nutritionists and many other professionals in the foodservice industry. At UFS, we offer solutions, which can be high quality products from Knorr Professional or Hellmann’s but also professional training services or the annual release of our Future Menus Trend Report.
UFS is a truly global business, consisting of 6 Performance Units (N-Asia, EURANZ, NAM, SEASA, LATAM and META). With a strong focus on delivering a superior Core in our portfolio, select geographies and specific operator groups, we know Where To Play. To drive more reach, penetration and usage, plans are in place as well with Digital Selling as a critical enabler to establish UFS as the largest global platform for professional chefs in the foodservice industry.
As UFS being the ‘Best Solution Provider’, we know the food service industry increasingly demands new ideas & inspiration. Engaging with Chefs, customers and operators daily, we see that keeping menus trendy and inspiring when people’s behaviour changes so quickly is tough. And it gets even more difficult with staff shortages and increasing prices (commodities, energy) that the industry has been experiencing over the last few years. Working with our 250 skilled chefs every day we know exactly what it takes to run a successful kitchen - and keeping up with trends is a big part of that.
Our pay off for the UFS brand is “Made for Today, Prepped for Tomorrow”- which refers to UFS not only providing solutions for today’s needs but also preparing chefs for tomorrow’s challenges. We focus on today’s Core solutions through our TT10/Top dish approach with a focused portfolio driven relentlessly in markets & constantly being improved to meet evolving operator needs. We also work on defining and leading future trends through exciting product innovations and new business models to prepare chef’s for tomorrow.
We have a clear portfolio and innovation strategy which is cascaded to the whole organization in Q2/24 and now the mission is to fill our innovation funnel with fewer and bigger global project that can be scaled up across regions.
JOB PURPOSE
Find your purpose at Unilever. You will lead innovations, big and small, that will make our business win and grow. You will learn from brilliant business leaders and colleagues in a truly global and diverse culture to ultimately become a better you. If you are passionate about food, working in a super exciting growing business, leading global brands, managing multi-regional projects and eager to work with various cultures in an agile way then this role is just for you.
WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE?
Develops and implements long-term global strategy for SCA category (Scratch Cooking Aids Category: Convenience cooking products like bouillons, sauces, seasonings).
Leads the Creation, development and implementation of truly global innovation projects with a medium to long-term focus that are scalable across multiple regions.
Creation of future global funnel for Knorr global projects and technology unlock plans with global R&D team.
Identifies shorter term regional/local projects in SCA category that already in progress, that can be scaled across regions with a fast rollout and develops playbooks for implementation.
Ensures OTIF execution of global Knorr projects through proper funnel management and delivery.
Creation of marketing materials and global brand content for Knorr Professional brand.
Close connection and interaction with Global Knorr retail team for the synergy and cross-fertilization of ideas & initiatives.
Supports and guides local teams about SCA and Knorr brand related queries & guidelines
Team management (2 direct reports)
Regular financial tracking for Knorr brand across its sub- categories and geographies.
Defining & managing the global Knorr brand budget.
WHAT WILL YOU NEED TO SUCCEED?
Experiences & Qualifications
Strategic Thinking & Long-term Planning ability is needed to develop and execute comprehensive global category strategy for SCA category
Understanding market trends, operator/chefs behavior, and competitive landscape
Experience in developing communication campaigns and brand assets
Experience in complex innovation project management across markets
Data Analytics to drive decisions and optimize global campaigns.
Line management experience and the ability to navigate the Unilever system to get funnels from idea into launch
Monitoring deadlines, following up to get the right information available at the right time and a hands-on mentality are the requirements we are looking for. Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and manage multiple projects, multiple stakeholders
Skills
Category visioning
Growth opportunity identification & segmentation
Competitive Category strategy
Commercial Acumen
Influencing skills and Stakeholder management
People insight
Innovation project management
Data driven innovation
Create people centric, compelling propositions and claims
Creative judgement
Creative briefs & briefing
Superior and sustainable product design
Omni channel Experience Design
Communications Effectiveness
Develop diverse and inclusive brands
Communication asset development
Campaign measurement and optimization
WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?
Unilever is the place where you can be yourself and bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. We offer an exciting & dynamic work environment where you can make things happen. Furthermore, we offer some great reward and benefits!
Attractive total remuneration package; excellent company pension, bonus, share scheme.
Flexible cross-disciplinary career opportunities and a wealth of training opportunities & wellbeing resources whenever and wherever.
Plenty of company-paid holidays to further ensure your work-life balance is maintained.
We encourage an inclusive culture, which comes to life with interchangeable public holidays, paid paternity leave of 6 weeks and our transgender policy.
Under the Hybrid Working principles, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 40%-60% in the office or at customers, suppliers or partners to connect and collaborate. For the time you work from home, we will ensure you are well equipped. When you are at the office , you can enjoy our tasty canteen with prepped food and own products.
Informal culture and being the first one trying our new products.
My Fitness Plan (reduction on your Fitness Subscription).
Home work allowance
Company laptop and mobile phone
Green Mobility Policy.
EXCITED?
Join Unilever and our team! To apply, you must do so online. Please do not forget to upload your CV and a motivation letter. Your application will be reviewed against our requirements and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date to provide you with an update on the status of your application.
Looking forward to meeting you!
Please note this is a Direct Search led by Unilever. Applications from agencies will not be accepted, nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, parenthood, pregnancy or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against.
By highlighting the gender diversity at the workplace, Unilever encourages women equally men to apply. If you look for a job after a long career break or after any type of leave, do not hesitate to apply.
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