ICE CREAM - Collaborative Manufacturing Operations Assistant Manager

Join the Global Leader in Ice Cream

UNILEVER IS LOOKING FOR AN ICE CREAM - Collaborative Manufacturing Operations Assistant Manager

If you are in the Unilever Ice Cream business or considering joining, you will be part of the global leading Ice Cream player with €7.9bn earned in 2023. The Ice Cream business operates in a highly attractive category, as part of the 1 trillion snacking and refreshment industry, growing consistently at a high pace. We have strong brand equities: 5 of the 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, with separation from Unilever planned by November 2025.

Ice Cream has distinct characteristics from Unilever’s other operating businesses, and its growth potential will be better delivered under a different ownership structure. As an Ice Cream company, we are committed to developing and nurturing talent. You will have ample options for career growth and exploration, allowing 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 Collaborative Manufacturing Operations (CMO) role is part of the European Ice Cream BU organisation where the operational management of CMs (collaborative manufacturers) is a key part of the role. You are the ‘face' of Unilever for the CMs and are expected to be the ‘manager’ of our external sites. The CMO job gives you an exciting platform to work within a multi-cultural team and an opportunity to work with many collaborative manufacturing partners across Europe.

As CMO, you will have oversight and responsibility for delivering Safety, Quality, Service/Operational requirements in the CM and will work closely in a matrix organisation with procurement, R&D, planning and central quality team.

You should possess in-depth knowledge of the key processes and controls at our CMs to be able to make the right trade-offs to improve service and cost with quality always being ‘non-negotiable’. You will also support and be an active part of several sourcing (manufacturing) network projects. The CMO works together with the cross-functional team between R&D and Brand to ensure products manufactured in CMs meet Unilever specification, standards and regulatory requirements and provides support for OTIF, new product introduction (innovation, renovation, activity requests), execution management and performance improvement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Portfolio and Operations + Collaborative Relation Management

• Ensuring a strong professional relationship between CM & Unilever.
• Support Marketing, R&D, planning in management of specific portfolio which you are responsible for.
• Monitor and report KPIs and provide data aggregation/analysis to maintain a progress report of the CM.
• Connect with CM planning, Quality, R&D, Procurement and Finance teams to manage Service, Quality and Cost delivery of the CM.

2. Trio Team

• Scope & select the CM suppliers for approved projects.
• Review the PLT project briefs and together with the rest of the trio team communicate and implement with the CM.
• Reviews the supply chain project compliance document prior to final launch approval and PLE session to evaluate new product performance.
• Manage end to end the onboarding of new CMs into the UL CM network.

3. Project Management

• Channel project discussions (innovation/renovation/transformation) with the CM to maintain a clean and fit portfolio.
• Supports category organization in Make or Buy studies; including participation in the scoping and selection of new CM.
• Responsible for Supply Chain input into IB Gate-keeping documents.
• Ensures all Supply Chain aspects of projects are delivered OTIF.

4. Quality Assurance

• Verify and monitor quality systems in operation at CMs; work along with Cluster Quality for quality issue resolution.
• Execution of the Quality assessment plan with our CMs.
• In consultation with Quality, drive intensive care and non-conformance monitoring.
• Be an ICEMIC champion making sure all the data are inputted into the system every month by the CMs.
• Notify and manage with Quality Team, potential non-conformances that may lead to a marketplace incident.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

SKILLS & LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS REQUIRED:

Skills and Requirements

• University Degree with Technical background ideally Chemical/Food Engineering or equivalent in science field.
• Operational understanding of Manufacturing, the UL way preferably in a Food industry. Ideally at least 2 years' experience in Manufacturing/operations.
• Willingness to travel (depending upon portfolio).
• Project management experience.
• Team player with excellent communication and negotiation skills able to adapt with different stakeholders' interphases.
• Analytical skills to bring out the underlying issues using figures and sharp insight.
• Proactiveness and ability to work under stress to improve speed and agile delivery of projects with CMs.
• General SC experience (planning / CS / Logistics / Quality).
• Good leadership and people skills to build relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels internal and external.
• Good Knowledge of Process and Technology / Equipment associated with an FMCG company.

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?

• Attractive total remuneration package; excellent company pension, bonus and 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% 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?

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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