Procurement Manager - Soft Commodities (Cocoa EU & Global)

The Magnum Ice Cream Company: Join Us in Shaping the Future of Ice Cream

The Ice Cream division at Unilever is preparing to stand on its own, aiming to become an independent, EUR 8.3 billion publicly listed company by the end of 2025. We’re on a mission to create the ultimate snacking company. A place where growth, innovation, founder and ownership mentality, and performance are cultivated and rewarded. And where we craft extraordinary ice cream experiences - transforming ordinary moments into lasting memories. Because we know, life tastes better with ice cream.

ABOUT THE MAGNUM ICE CREAM COMPANY:

The Magnum Ice Cream Company is all about growth. Growing our business. Growing our customers’ businesses. Growing our people’s careers. Growth begins with empowerment. So we free our people to be innovative, responsible entrepreneurs, driven and equipped to give our consumers more amazing products and unforgettable moments – and having fun doing it.

With 19,000 expert ice cream colleagues and iconic brands like Wall’s, Cornetto and Ben & Jerry’s, loved in 76 countries, we are the world’s largest Ice Cream company leading the industry. We have been taking pleasure seriously for more than 100 years, serving happiness with every lick or scoop of ice cream for generations.

We are investing to unlock the full growth potential of The Magnum Ice Cream Company as a standalone entity, once we separate from Unilever, which is planned to happen before the end of 2025.

We dream big but keep things simple to act fast.

If you want to grow with us, make an impact, and shape the future of Ice Cream, this is the place for you!

JOB PURPOSE:

Professional sourcing of products/services meeting the specified needs of the Business at most competitive commercial terms.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Procurement of Soft Commodities (1 billion € spend) - Global Chocolate & Cocoa.
• Manage key partnerships within Global Chocolate & Cocoa, to deliver against value, purpose and future-fit goals.
• Develop and implement strategies for procurement of the respective portfolios and assess, identify and select the appropriate supplier base that would meet the needs of the business.
• Work closely with S&I and collect, monitor and manage market information, provide analysis and price forecasts.
• Work closely with CRM to evaluate and recommend appropriate risk management strategies – ensure the use of optimum ‘tools’ for hedging and also support CRM with the requirements (volume and strategy) and enhance flow with the suppliers.
• Support the business with accurate price forecasting. Prepares information on purchase prices and conditions to enable proper budgeting and cash forecasting.
• Identify metrics, tools and process to optimize sourcing, supplier activities and efficiencies.
• Work closely with the Ice Cream Business to support the launch of innovations and new product development.
• Work closely with Ice Cream Business and suppliers to drive key initiatives such as Sustainable Sourcing.
• Initiate and drive complexity reduction (e.g. harmonization of specifications and suppliers).
• Work with IC R&D teams to drive initiatives on supplier approvals / savings reformulations.
• To deliver cost savings based on sourcing strategies and compliance management.
• Deliver the Operation Cash Flow and Working Capital plans for the specific materials/services and suppliers.
• Support and manage supply chain issues (e.g. crisis management).
• Measure and manage overall performance of suppliers.
• Continuously improve ways of working and optimize procurement activities.
• Develop, coach and mentor resources within a high performing and motivated team responsible for interfacing with internal stakeholders and suppliers.
• Support collaboration with senior functional leaders to establish short- and long-term business objectives.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives and represent Unilever's interests in the management of external strategic relationships.

A successful Procurement Manager is expected to be:

• Outstanding in idea generation, ideas that are forward thinking, and that contribute to creating sustained competitive advantage.
• Strong at selling ideas to his/her business partners, internally and externally, translating these into effective proposals conveying value and communicating it accordingly.
• Appreciative of the value and impact of outstanding execution – an eagle eye for detail.
• Act as an entrepreneur, treats business as his/her own, sets trends and is willing to lead, follow or get out of the way.
• Behave as a Partner with Purpose ambassador and demonstrate the value Procurement adds to the business.
• Genuinely committed to Unilever’s sustainably lead business model, connected with Unilever and the business agenda.
• Talent mastery, which includes: spotting, fostering, encouraging and retaining talent is a non-negotiable.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

Qualifications & Experience:

• University degree
• At least 5 years' experience in Procurement and commodity experience is a plus
• Experience on large-scale change management projects

Technical & Analytical Skills:

• Develop materials supply strategy
• Determine strategic sourcing strategy
• Supplier risk management
• Conducts supplier negotiations
• Engage suppliers through competitive bidding and tendering
• Supplier integration and supplier relationship management
• Identifying value creating and innovation opportunities
• Managing Sustainability in Supply Chains

Collaborative Leadership:

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and influence key stakeholders.
• Experience in a fast-paced, evolving business environment.

WHY JOIN US?

• Be a Key Influencer, be a Founder: Represent business unit financial needs in a global ERP transformation on this once in a lifetime opportunity.
• Innovation & Growth: Work with cutting-edge financial technologies and process improvement strategies.
• Global Exposure: Collaborate with diverse teams across international markets.
• Career Development: Gain hands-on experience in finance transformation and ERP implementation.

If you are a finance professional passionate about driving financial transformation and ensuring business unit needs are met, we would love to hear from you!

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

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.