Ice Cream US Manager C&CS Breyers & Licensing Manager

Title of role: Category Strategy and Planning Manager – Ice Cream – Breyers & Licensing Brands

WL:  2A

Scope: US Market Full Time Position

Location: EC 700 – NJ/NY Based  

The Unilever Ice Cream business is the leading Ice Cream player globally, with €7.9bn Turnover in 2023. Ice Cream is a highly attractive category, as it is part of the €1 trillion snacking and refreshment industry and growing consistently at a rapid pace. Our Ice cream portfolio holds some of the most iconic brands in the world – Ben & Jerry’s, Breyers, Magnum, Talenti, Popsicle, Good Humor, Klondike, and Yasso. Culture is key and we are looking for someone who enjoys bringing their best self to work every day.

In February of 2024, Unilever announced the de-merger of the Ice Cream business unit. Ice Cream has distinct characteristics from Unilever’s other business units and separation from the Unilever ownership structure will allow us to better deliver against our growth potential. As we become a standalone business, we remain committed to developing and nurturing talent within our company. You will have ample opportunities for career growth and role exploration across the new organization. Your career development will be a priority for us, and we are dedicated to supporting your growth journey within the new company.

Background & Purpose of the Job

The Customer Strategy and Planning Manager (CSPM) is the voice of the customer and the shopper in the Business Unit (BU). They are responsible for ensuring channel and customer insights are incorporated in the development of brand and category plans for the Breyers & Licensing Brands. Assisting in building execution against those plans in the context of retailer strategy. This role represents the customer in core organizational processes including business analysis, S&OP, & Net Revenue Management.

Who You Are & What You’ll Do

• Develop and deploy channel specific annual business plans, which deliver category development and competitive growth in the marketplace. The CSPM interfaces strategically across the business, representing Customer Development interests in cross-functional interactions.
• Articulate and able to develop strategies and plans while adapting brand strategies into channel and customer strategies in a simple and actionable way.
• Develop, lead and/or support brand projects as necessary to reach revenue targets and trade investment budgets
• Deploying holistic customer investment across customers to deliver profitable growth utilizing tools like the PEA tool and customer specific dashboards
• Evaluate trends, analyze promotions and other programs on effectiveness and business impact
• Drive consolidated Retailer inputs to the S&OP process for brand / category including gap closure activities.
• Channel/Customer lens-based thought leadership, feedback and inputs into the category building plan, brand JTBD, SKU portfolio
• Encourages ownership to resolve issues where they are happening.
• Leads/takes action as if it was own business. Leverages digital technologies to simplify work and improve communication.
• Develops and leverages strong internal and external networks for effective stakeholder management & strategic influencing.

What You’ll Need To Succeed

• Bachelor's degree required
• 4+ years of experience in consumer goods and sales/customer development
• Strong understanding of customer operations and channel drivers
• Focus on business outcomes, gap closure etc. Takes decisions in ambiguous circumstances
• Holistic business thinking with clear evidence of addressing business challenges and delivery
• Strong business and financial acumen
• Excellent analytical, communication and relationship building skills, strong attention to detail and ability to coordinate across various functions required
• Entrepreneurial mindset, high sense of project ownership, courage and pro-activity

[Internal Only] By applying for this vacancy, you are confirming that you have made your Line Manager aware of your application and that you are at a point in your career with Unilever where it is appropriate for you to be applying for other positions.

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Unilever is an organization committed to diversity and inclusion 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. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. 

For more information about your Federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination isIllegal and Pay Transparency Non discrimination Provision.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at NA.Accommodations@unilever.com. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.