Strategic Planning Manager - Homecare at Unilever

Main Responsibilities

• Lead complex Innovation programme for 70/20 Innovations in cluster to drive top line growth and support 10s innovation programme in respective MCOs

• Identify and drive improvement opportunities via cost-technology-product-material benefits (through innovation/sourcing/savings projects) and support Symphony savings

• Lead key strategic regional SC End to End projects.

• Dynamically manage the Utopia process for sourcing changes

• Enable information management and cost-opportunity decision making for E2E SC analysis

• Support Network Optimisation Specialist Engineer to land site manufacturing strategies for improvement

• Enable resilience & harmonised networks of supply, partnering with Network Optimisation Specialist Engineer

• Enable new SC capabilities

• Support the Bottom-Line Delivery planner in driving Gross Margin improvement program through benchmarking and savings programmes

Job Impact

• Enable tight dynamic capital deployment and Utopia thresholds

• Enable regional SC studies and partner with S&OP to unlock top line growth under 4G

• Identify and execute souring network changes bringing about financial benefit to categories and MCOs in respective markets

• Unlock and support the divisional growth agenda by having responsive & optimal supply networks that actively and dynamically support innovation and COTC

• Partner Brand to unlock top line growth through flawless execution of innovation and savings withing small Cs

• Support the cost savings/ 5S agenda to deliver 4-7% of TO savings p.a.

• Build skills in Africa immediate and extended teams on financial decision-making

• Build RVS to optimal body

• Deep understanding of Africa cross border sourcing and trade-agreement opportunities

• Enable accurate information gathering, analysis and present to support decision-making

Direct Reports

The role requires strong interpersonal and influencing skills with 3-4 direct reports. However, will perform a ‘project lead function’ leading multi-disciplinary teams.

Key Interfaces

Regional and global teams

Critical success Factors for the Job:

Key Skills

• Excellent understanding of an integrated supply chain network.

• Excellent understanding of financial drivers

• Strong Customer Service orientation

• Strong interpersonal skills and team commitment

• Excellent team-working and networking skills

• Excellent communication skills across all levels of the organisation

• Ability to work well with a team of diverse staff

• Ability to work with peers and demonstrate lateral influence

• Excellent team building skills

• Excellent understanding of technical areas

• Good at managing customer expectations

• Managing and delivering service through strategic partners

• Good knowledge of Unilever’s business and processes

Essential:

• Wider Unilever functional experience with at least 2 roles in a wider function (eg. Source, Make, Plan, Deliver or Finance)

• Proven experience in technology evaluation and delivering to business needs

• Experience in Excel or C++ tools modelling scenario’s

• In depth understanding of SAP and cost centre links

• In-depth commercial knowledge

Desirable:

• Good project management skills

• Previous experience is SC studies and\ or business modelling.

Professional Skills:

• A relevant BSC degree in science/engineering or supply chain field., or relevant degree in commerce

• A Financial Degree (CIMA) will be an advantage

• Experience in FMCG supply chain

• Demonstrated commercial acumen

• Cross functional business process knowledge

Experience Required:

• More than 3 years’ experience in SC or finance at management level

• Experience as a business analyst or business consulting advantage

• Exemplary performance demonstrated for managing high performing teams

• Demonstrated track record of working on complex problem solving, tight deadlines with quick turnaround times.

Travel:

As per job requirements and can be deployed in Africa cluster and global for short stay periods.

Contacts:

• Global Category Supply Chain teams

• Cluster Category Leadership teams - CCLT

• Country Business Teams - CCBT

• SC Finance partners

• MCO SC Leads

• Make Leads

• Procurement

• R&D

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.