Marketing Procurement Assistant Manager

Looking for Your Dream Job? 

Join Our Ice Cream Team!  

Scope: Marketing Procurement Assistant Manager, CoE 

Location: EU/ES 

Terms & Conditions:    

If you are in the Unilever Ice Cream business or consider choosing to work for the Unilever Ice Cream business, you will work for the Global, leading Ice Cream player with €7.9bn Turn Over in 2023. The Ice Cream business is operating in a highly attractive category, as we are part of the 1 trillion snacking and refreshment industry, growing consistently at high pace. We have strong brands equities: 5 of top 10 selling brands including Wall’s, Magnum, Ben &Jerry’s. We are investing to unlock the full growth potential of Ice Cream as a standalone entity, once we separate from Unilever, which is planned to happen by November 2025. 

Ice Cream has distinct characteristics from Unilever’s other operating businesses and the growth potential of Ice Cream will be better delivered under a different ownership structure. As Ice Cream company we are committed to developing and nurturing talent within our Ice Cream company. You will have ample options for career growth and exploration, allowing you for you to explore roles and opportunities across the new organisation. Your career development will be a priority for us, and we are dedicated to supporting your growth journey within the new company. We hope that you will want to build the new chapter of our Ice Cream history together with us. 

ABOUT ICE CREAM: Life Tastes Better With Ice Cream 

Unilever Ice Cream is the largest global Ice Cream Company in the world, with over 100 years of experience delivering a diverse range of indulgent, yet responsible, craft food experiences and treats delighting consumers. Committed to innovation, quality, and sustainability we have 35 brands, including 3 one billion Euro brands (Magnum, Wall’s, Ben & Jerry’s), a strong presence in over 60 countries, generating annual revenue of over $8 billion. All brands are driven to transform moments into memories through indulgent yet responsibly made and marketed products. We have a well-developed strategy to deliver growth and value creation which is clear on where to play and how to win. 

We turn the ordinary into the extraordinary by designing unique and innovative Ice Cream experiences that make life taste better, creating joyful experiences. In our Ice Cream business, we’re crafting the future through innovation and imaginative minds, creating unique products. We spark moments of happiness for people and within the communities where we operate. However, it is not as simple as it may seem. As Ice Cream makers we are serious about happiness. With warm hearts, we create the coolest products.  

JOB PURPOSE: 

The Marketing Procurement Assistant Manager, CoE will play a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the Ice Cream business globally in the Marketing spend area. This role will work closely with cross-functional teams within the organization, including Marketing global-regional level, CMI, R&D and Finance, to streamline marketing procurement processes, focusing on high-impact solutions. As the Ice Cream BG transitions to a stand-alone company, this position will reduce complexity and accelerate collaborative decision-making to drive strategies and impactful business models, frameworks to drive growth, future-fit capabilities. 

The successful candidate will drive category value through negotiations, technical and analytical skills to move our ice cream business towards the highest level of innovation, design and commercialisation, while ensuring equipment is timely delivered to all the countries under your portfolio. This role demands a proactive approach in building strong stakeholder relationships and delivering efficient sourcing strategies that align with Ice Cream BG’s business objectives. Regular engagement with the Global and Regional Leadership Team will ensure alignment and agility in the face of dynamic market needs. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain collaborative relationships with regional and local stakeholders, ensuring alignment with the Ice Cream business priorities and needs. Effectively manage expectations and streamline communication with Portfolio Leads and the senior stakeholders. 

• Performance Monitoring: Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to procurement activities. Ensure that procurement strategies contribute positively to financial and operational targets. 

• Portfolio Coordination: Work closely with BU Leads to ensure that regional execution aligns with the overarching global strategy. Define, adapt and implement procurement initiatives to maximize impact. 

• Performance Improvement: Identify opportunities for efficiency and optimization within the marketing sourcing process. Drive performance by reducing fragmentation, focusing on high-impact areas, and executing sustainable sourcing strategies. 

• Market Analysis: Conduct market research to stay informed about industry trends, supplier capabilities, and pricing dynamics. Use this information to make informed procurement decisions. 

• Accountability for Results: Deliver on financial and operational KPIs, ensuring that procurement strategies contribute positively to business targets and Ice Cream’s growth agenda. 

• Best Practices Sharing: Act as a subject matter expert for marketing procurement, bringing insights from BUs and sharing internal and external best practices across markets. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:  

• Proven experience in marketing procurement with a focus on strategy creation, strategic sourcing plans and stakeholder engagement. 

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate across different functions and markets in a fast-paced, agile environment. 

• Strong capability in stakeholder management and building collaborative relationships with cross-functional teams. 

• High proficiency in contract negotiation, data-driven decision-making, and change management. 

• Ability to manage complex projects and drive solutions that are region-specific while aligned with global strategies. 

EXPERIENCES, QUALIFICATIONS:  

• A minimum of 5 years' experience in procurement, within at least 2 years in marketing procurement under managerial roles within FMCG industry. 

• Experience in managing complex marketing related portfolios across diverse categories,  

• Understanding of supply chain and value chain management in the context of E2E marketing eco-sytem, ideally globally. 

• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance long-term strategic thinking and short-term execution needs. 

• Willingness to travel 20% of the time. 

SKILLS:     

• Stakeholder Management: Ability to influence and engage stakeholders across different levels and functions. 

• Excellent communication skills: for internal, external stakeholders/audience to land messages in an engaging, clear way to drive decision making and actions. 

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Use data to inform sourcing decisions and measure impact. 

• Contract Negotiation: Skilled in negotiating agreements that balance cost, quality, and business goals. 

• Business Acumen: Insight into market trends and their impact on procurement and business strategy. 

• Project Management: Proficient in managing large-scale, complex projects. 

• Value Chain Understanding: Knowledge of supply chain principles, especially as they relate to marketing procurement. 

• Strategic Partnerships: Build and nurture relationships with suppliers to drive mutual value creation. 

• Analytical Skills: Strong capability in supplier and competitive analysis. 

LEADERSHIP: 

• Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviors 

• PERSONAL MASTERY: Sets high standards for themselves. Has emotional intelligence to take feedback, manage mood and motivations, and build empathy for others. 

• PASSION FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE: Generates intensity and focus to motivate people to deliver results at speed. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results. 

• TALENT CATALYST: Invests in people – coaches individuals and teams to realize their full potential. Creates an inclusive climate, empowering everyone to be at their best. 

• PURPOSE & SERVICE: Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside Unilever. 

• CONSUMER LOVE: Invests time inside and outside to understand the needs of consumers. 

• BUSINESS ACUMEN: Creates sustainable growth with purpose, engaging different partners across the system for change. 

Additional Information:

• Hybrid Work (you can work from home 2/3 days per week)

• 4 weeks of Flex Work per year: Opportunity to work remotely for the entire week without coming into the office.

• Flexible hours: Work hours with a wide range of starting and ending times to accommodate your needs.

• Restaurant Card and canteen service in our offices.

• Parking: Possibility of parking at the offices at a reduced cost and with free electric chargers.

• Online language courses.

• Wellbeing Programs: Resources and activities to promote physical, mental, emotional, and purposeful wellbeing.

• Online store with exclusive discounts on UL products and other recognized brands.

• And many more!

Disclaimer  

Equal Opportunity Employer: Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.  

This is an office-based role that requires 40% of time attendance to the site 

We take pleasure seriously. Join the Ice Cream team now! 

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.