Innovation Planner– Unilever International

Unilever International - Innovation Planner

About Unilever

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

We want our business to flourish, and we know that our success depends on others flourishing around us. That's why our purpose is to make sustainable living commonplace, and why sustainable long-term growth is at the heart of our business model.

We’re looking for a leader with a passion for innovation and planning. The ideal candidate is a collaborative strategic thinker who can manage multiple projects at the same time. This individual will use his or her product management experience and international experience to drive execution of innovations for UI categories. This role focuses on Planning and Project Management for Unilever International and reports into Supply Chain department.

What will your main responsibilities be?

The Innovation Planner leads innovation network planning and ensures on time, high quality innovation delivery OTIF for business groups. He/She manages the innovation project from Boscard/Kick-off, through collaborative design of the project to its development and its delivery. The Innovation Planner has to align and plan together with the cross functional team experts, the pre-requisites of the project, defining activities and timings required to ensure capability is in place, and then following up on the timelines throughout the project via a project network connects with cross functional teams (Marketing, Customer Development, R&D, Regulatory etc)

• E2E execution & management of Innovation Planning
• Partner with global and cluster Marketing, Customer Development and Finance to validate volumes and business case for new innovations
• Design project network, kick off meeting and align timelines+risks+costs with cross functional teams
• Land innovation plans (from kick off until post launch evaluation) into the market OTIF with the collaboration of all project stakeholders. Responsible for delivering OTIF projects
• Lead weekly calls follow up per category and represents the SC in all projects
• Execute and ensure run down plan for innovations/renovations to ensure compliance of innovation avoid business waste
• Work closely with all SC functions to ensure delivery of SC related activities on time in full as part of the network
• Manage item set up for items for new product developed in coordination with MDM (Master Data Management), Finance, Cluster and Global SC, Procurement, Brand and Customer Development Operations.
• Support process enhancement and improvement.
• You’re a born leader: Ability to lead in the international space through in-person and virtual relationships. Influencing key stakeholders across the global business units to deliver innovative projects
• You love to win in a team and have fun doing it: Ability to operate in a flexible and entrepreneurial environment. Trying new ways to deliver business and drive growth.
• You’re eager to learn and share (a lot): Ability to absorb new knowledge on multiple fields/categories

Skills you should have

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant area (Supply Chain, Engineering, International Business, Marketing, Finance, Economics)
• Proven track record of relevant work experience
• APICS encouraged
• Working knowledge in Supply Chain operations (production planning, demand planning/forecasting, inventory management)
• Entrepreneurial mentality to quickly get up to speed on unfamiliar subject areas
• Strong planning skills, or a strong attitude to planning
• Attention to detail, critical thinking, organization, and time management are essential skills
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills are critical for success
• Flexible working schedule to accommodate international cross function teams
• Excellent MS-Office skills
• Travelling may be required

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 & well-being 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%-60% 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).
• Homework 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.