Customer Strategy & Planning Manager

Earlier this year, Unilever announced an agreement to combine its Foods business with McCormick & Company, creating a scaled global flavour powerhouse. The proposed combination would bring together iconic Foods brands, including Hellmann’s and Knorr, with McCormick’s portfolio to create a global leader across spices, seasonings, condiments and complementary food categories, supported by strong retail and foodservice platforms. McCormick brings more than 135 years of heritage, a presence in 150+ countries and territories, and a portfolio of trusted brands. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, with completion estimated for mid-2027.

Job Title: Customer Strategy & Planning Manager - HK Foods Retail

Function: Customer Strategy & Planning

Hiring Manager: Ivan Lu (FR VP- North Asia & MD of FS TWKR)

Scope: Hong Kong Foods Retail

Work Location: Tai Po Industrial Estate - Hong Kong

JOB PURPOSE

This role turns shopper, customer and market insights into clear category, channel and customer growth plans for the Hong Kong Foods Retail business. You will connect brand priorities with customer needs, strengthen commercial decision-making and help teams deliver profitable, sustainable growth. In your first year, you will establish a strong planning rhythm, sharpen channel and customer choices, and improve the effectiveness of launches, promotions and customer investment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• You’ll be part of a team that believes in doing work that matters — for people and the planet.
• Lead the development of customer and channel growth strategies, translating shopper, category and market insights into practical commercial plans.
• Create differentiated category and channel plans that support growth, market share and strong execution across physical and digital retail environments.
• Partner with Customer Business Development, Marketing, Finance and Supply Chain to align business priorities, demand assumptions, launches and customer activation.
• Guide customer investment, pricing and promotional choices, track performance and recommend actions that improve return and profitable growth.
• Shape compelling customer stories for innovation, renovation, assortment and shelf opportunities, ensuring plans are relevant to Hong Kong shoppers and retailers.
• Build an inclusive, collaborative culture that encourages learning, constructive challenge and shared accountability for results.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Significant experience in customer strategy and planning, category management, trade marketing, key account management or a related commercial role.
• Strong analytical and commercial skills, with the ability to turn complex information into clear priorities and recommendations.
• Experience developing category, channel or customer plans and working with multiple functions to deliver them.
• Confident communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to lead priorities in a fast-moving environment while maintaining focus on shoppers, customers and sustainable business outcomes.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in foods, consumer goods or retail.
• Experience with customer investment, pricing, promotion effectiveness or revenue growth management.
• Experience supporting innovation launches, assortment reviews or shopper activation.

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.

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment journey. Should you require additional information or reasonable adjustments to allow you to present your best self during this process, please contact your Talent Partner.

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.