ICE CREAM Marketing Procurement Portfolio Lead - Insights, Creative & Digital

UNILEVER IS LOOKING FOR INDIRECT MARKETING PROCUREMENT PORTFOLIO LEAD- INSIGHTS, CREATIVE & DIGITAL

JOIN OUR ICE CREAM TEAM!

Location: Weena, Rotterdam move to Amsterdam per March 2025 – the Netherlands

Local conditions apply

Full-time

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 first consider candidates based in the Netherlands. If you are based outside of the Netherlands and you are interested to apply, please feel free to do so but we can only take your application on if a decision is made to also recruit outside of the Netherlands.

If you are in the Unilever Ice Cream business or consider choosing to work for the Unilever Ice Cream business, you will work for the Global, leading Ice Cream player with €7.9bn Turn Over in 2023. The Ice Cream business is operating in a highly attractive category, as we are part of the 1 trillion snacking and refreshment industry, growing consistently at high pace. We have strong brands equities: 5 of 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, once we separate from Unilever, which is planned to happen by November 2025.

Ice Cream has distinct characteristics from Unilever’s other operating businesses and the growth potential of Ice Cream will be better delivered under a different ownership structure. As Ice Cream company we are committed to developing and nurturing talent within our Ice Cream company. You will have ample options for career growth and exploration, allowing you for 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.

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 Marketing Procurement Portfolio Lead – Insights, Creative & Digital Manager will play a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the Ice Cream business globally in the Marketing spend area. This role will work closely with cross-functional teams within the organization, including Marketing global-regional level, CMI, Legal and Finance, to streamline marketing procurement processes, focusing on high-impact solutions. As the Ice Cream BG transitions to a stand-alone company, this position will reduce complexity and accelerate collaborative decision-making to drive strategies and impactful business models, frameworks to drive growth, future-fit capabilities.

The successful candidate will coordinate with the marketing procurement Portfolio BU Leads to execute global strategies within a defined framework, while running global negotiations with key Partners, Agencies in the Marketing E2E Ecosystem. This role demands a proactive approach in building strong stakeholder relationships and delivering efficient sourcing strategies that align with Ice Cream BG’s business objectives. Regular engagement with the Global and Regional Leadership Team will ensure alignment and agility in the face of dynamic market needs.

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE?

• Line Manager task: lead, manage, monitor performance of direct reports, ensure personal and professional growth and development.

• Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain collaborative relationships with regional and local stakeholders, ensuring alignment with the Ice Cream business priorities and needs. Effectively manage expectations and streamline communication with Portfolio Leads and the senior stakeholders.

• Strategy Execution: Translate global marketing procurement strategies into actionable, region-specific initiatives. Balance alignment with global objectives while leveraging local insights to drive results.

• Portfolio Coordination: Work closely with BU Leads to ensure that regional execution aligns with the overarching global strategy. Define, adapt and implement procurement initiatives to maximize impact.

• Performance Improvement: Identify opportunities for efficiency and optimization within the marketing sourcing process. Drive performance by reducing fragmentation, focusing on high-impact areas, and executing sustainable sourcing strategies.

• Accountability for Results: Deliver on financial and operational KPIs, ensuring that procurement strategies contribute positively to business targets and Ice Cream’s growth agenda.

• Best Practices Sharing: Act as a subject matter expert for marketing procurement, bringing insights from BUs and sharing internal and external best practices across markets.

EXPERIENCE YOU SHOULD HAVE/THE QUALITIES WE LOOK FOR

• Proven experience in marketing procurement with a focus on strategy creation, strategic sourcing plans and stakeholder engagement.

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate across different functions and markets in a fast-paced, agile environment.

• Strong capability in stakeholder management and building collaborative relationships with cross-functional teams.

• High proficiency in contract negotiation, data-driven decision-making, and change management.

• Ability to manage complex projects and drive solutions that are region-specific while aligned with global strategies.

EXPERIENCES, QUALIFICATIONS :

• A minimum of 7 years experience in procurement, within at least 2 years in marketing procurement under managerial roles within FMCG industry.

• Experience in managing complex marketing related portfolios across diverse categories,

• Understanding of supply chain and value chain management in the context of E2E marketing eco-sytem, ideally globally.

• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance long-term strategic thinking and short-term execution needs.

• Experience working with senior leadership to align sourcing strategies with business objectives.

SKILLS :   

• Stakeholder Management: Ability to influence and engage stakeholders across different levels and functions.

• Excellent communication skills: for internal, external stakeholders/audience to land messages in an engaging, clear way to drive decision making and actions.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Use data to inform sourcing decisions and measure impact.

• Contract Negotiation: Skilled in negotiating agreements that balance cost, quality, and business goals.

• Business Acumen: Insight into market trends and their impact on procurement and business strategy.

• Project Management: Proficient in managing large-scale, complex projects.

• Value Chain Understanding: Knowledge of supply chain principles, especially as they relate to marketing procurement.

• Strategic Partnerships: Build and nurture relationships with suppliers to drive mutual value creation.

• Analytical Skills: Strong capability in supplier and competitive analysis.

LEADERSHIP:

• You are an inclusive motivator of people. Your team deliver with real passion, growing and learning from each other whilst delivering quick wins.

• You are still responsible for your own results and as a manager, you also need to motivate others to deliver with passion, creating an inclusive and engaging climate around you. You can balance challenge with support and coaching. You understand the wider business context and you are emotionally intelligent enough to motivate people to deliver what is needed.

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.

• 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).

• Home work allowance

• Company laptop and mobile phone

• Green Mobility Policy.   

EXCITED?

Join Unilever and our team! To apply, you must do so online. Please do not forget to upload your CV and a motivation letter.  Your application will be reviewed against our requirements and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date to provide you with an update on the status of your application.

Looking forward to meeting you! 

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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