Brand Manager Meat

UNILEVER IS LOOKING FOR A Brand Manager Meat

For the recruitment of this position, we would like to emphasize that local conditions apply to the position and for this vacancy in principle we will consider candidates based in the set locations. If you are based outside of these locations and you are interested to apply, please feel free to do so but at this stage we will not take your application forward. We will only consider your application if a decision is made to also recruit outside of the set locations.

BUSINESS CONTEXT:

Zwan is a 97-year-old savoury brand, an iconic market leader that is present in almost every Belgian household and with more than 25 million euros turnover one of the biggest brands in the Benelux Foods business. Zwan is loved by consumers and represents typical Belgian habits and values. Famous for its iconic smell, texture & soft taste, the Zwan sausages are a sacred snack for every Belgian (although they will not admit directly)... Zwan is one of Belgian’s most known brands with over 96% brand awareness and its range of products is passed on from generation to generation as part of childhood memories.

Growth of Zwan turnover, share and equity is crucial to deliver top & bottomline growth in our Meat business. Zwan is on a mission to be a brand for every Belgian. In the past years the brand has simplified its portfolio & grew distribution to hard discounters – growing absolute turnover & profitability. Known for its delicious porc meat, the brand is also expanding its portfolio to vegetarian & chicken meat as this also reduces carbon footprint. In 2024 Zwan launched Vegetarian & Chicken hotdogs, the latter 100% halal certified. In the past years celebrated partnerships were initiated. Zwan featured in the popular TV show ‘Snackmasters’, sponsored Cyclo-Cross Cycling and was celebrated as the favourite snack of many Belgian TV stars.

JOB PURPOSE:

In this context, we are looking for a highly motivated, entrepreneurial Brand Manager who is passionately committed to a more plant forward future. Focus in this job is building the future of Zwan according to the better, less, no meat strategy by driving the meat and plant forward innovation and communication roadmap. A can-do mentality is a must in this role.

You will report to the General Manager of Unox/Zwan Benelux.

Working on this local jewel implies your responsibilities cover the full broadness of marketing: from brand innovation all the way to brilliant in-market implementation whilst working in a fully agile environment.

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE?

• Lead the daily Zwan Meat (replacers) business: you are responsible for the Meat (replacers) P&L and budget, and accountable for delivering the growth ambition targets on Zwan meat (replacers).
• Develop in-depth understanding of and expertise in the Meat (replacers) category. This specifically for cooked sausages, as this is the biggest segment.
• Identify and implement future growth opportunities based on in-depth consumer insights and anticipating competition from both PL & other brands.
• Initiate and build Meat (replacers) Innovation Funnel, while securing perfect launch, working closely together with our 3PM’s (Zwanenberg Food Group & OVI NV) and Unilever R&D and supporting functions.
• Develop leading edge brand assets and activation campaigns and designs on Zwan, that consistently elevate Zwan’s DBA’s from social media to shopfloor execution.
• Driving Zwan brand purpose: “Niets moet, alles Zwan”/”C’est la bonne Zwanitude”.

KPI’s:

• P&L delivery for Zwan Meat (replacers)
• Develop Brand & Portfolio strategy for the next 3 years (in 2028, the brand will be 100 years old).
• OTIF delivery of portfolio roadmap, leading PPA & NRM initiatives that celebrate the iconic portfolio

KEY INTERFACES:

• Wider Unox & Zwan Marketing team
• Advertising, Design & Media agencies. As a local jewel, you will cocreate the BVI of the brand & celebrate it every day.
• Cross-functional teams: CSP, CD, R&D Technical Project Leaders, Supply Chain, 3PMO, Legal, Finance and Procurement.
• External Partners, like Zwanenberg Food Group & Ovi, and retailers.

REPORTING LINE

• You will report to Marketing Manager Unox

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS WITHIN THE JOB:

Key Standards of Leadership

• Personal Mastery
• Agility
• Consumer Love
• Passion for high performance

Key Skills

• Ability to think long term, strategically & execute pragmatically
• Strong Business Acumen. Successful at managing key stakeholders at all levels, internal and external
• Entrepreneurial drive, hunger to unlock future pockets of growth
• Able to think out of the box
• Assertive and in it to win it.
• You have an innate curiosity for what’s driving consumers.
• Strong project leadership skills; leads with impact. Lead & inspire cross-functional teams and deliver OTIF.
• Be digitally savvy. You have an innate passion for digital media and new business models.
• You have a love for Belgian food culture, as Zwan is the No.1 Belgian meat snack that everybody loves.

Relevant Experience

• 3-5 years Marketing experience, preferably both in Brand Building and Brand Development.
• Experience in Sales is a highly valued asset.
• Experience in driving a (turning) business with impact and ambition.

WHAT DOES UNILEVER OFFER/WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?

Unilever is the place where you can be yourself and bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. We offer an exciting & dynamic work environment where you can make things happen. Furthermore, we offer some great reward and benefits! 

• Attractive total remuneration package: excellent company pension, bonus, 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.
• Homework allowance
• Company laptop and mobile phone
• Mobility Budget

EXCITED?

Join Unilever and our team! Looking forward to meeting you!  

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.

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.