Head of Grocery Sales - New Zealand

Who we are?

On any given day, 2.5 billion people globally use Unilever products to feel good, look good and get more out of life. Many of our brands are well-known, household staples and old-time favourites including Dove, Rexona, Lynx, Vaseline, OMO/Persil, Surf, TRESemmé, Continental, Ben & Jerry’s and Streets. 

We have a long tradition of being a progressive, responsible business. It goes back to the days of our founder William Lever, who launched the world’s first purposeful brand, Sunlight Soap more than 100 years ago, and it’s at the heart of how we run our company today.In 2022 Unilever Australia & New Zealand became a Certified B Corporation™ (B Corp), joining a growing network of organisations committed to galvanising a stronger, more inclusive, equitable and regenerative economy for all.  

A job at Unilever is a career made by you, with development opportunities, benefits and a working culture that embraces diversity and is pioneering flexibility. There’s no better time to join our team! 

Role Responsibilities:

• Delivery of key targets including (but not limited to) Turnover, Profit, Total Trade Spend, Market Winning Share across WW, FSNI, and FSSI.

• Ownership of the development of the Joint Business Plan with each customer and responsible for the delivery of sustainable and profitable growth.

• Creation of 3-year customer strategy aligned to the customers own strategic agenda.

• Collaboration to gain strategic alignment both internally, with key stakeholders Marketing, Category Management, CMI & Customer Operations / Supply Chain, and externally with the Customer to build the JBP that delivers a triple win for the customer, shopper and Unilever.

• Ownership of the volume and spend forecasts aligned to S&OP process at a customer level, which includes the media and promotional budget end-to-end.

• Ownership of the execution of the grocery strategy in-store through the management of the Field Team and partnership with our 3rd party provider.

• Owner of the New Zealand people agenda, guardian of the culture and leader of transformation, incl digital.

• Lead talent development for all NZ talent in country (not appointment decisions outside of grocery sales NZ).

Essential Experience:

• Degree in any discipline

• Customer Management 4+ years working with customers in the portfolio

• Proven experience as leader of leaders

Skills:

• Drives category growth with customers by utilising data & insights, collaborating & bringing together the right people from the customer & Unilever.

• Expertise in leading internal stakeholders to solve complex commercial business issues, with the ability to build that skill internally.

• Deeply understands customers (retailers & channels), and what they need & value from category partners. Knows how to build sustainable long-term plans by engaging internally & externally.

• Executes with excellence with customers, understanding their operational needs & consistently evaluates performance with them.

• Has successfully negotiated complex commercial agreements (e.g. CPI), managing the process internally & externally.

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.

Does this sound like You?

• Are you always looking for continuous improvement and to drive positive change in your role?

• Are you an enthusiastic people leader, keen on bringing people along on the journey and setting them up for success?

• Do you have experience with visual management, daily meetings and Tiered accountability that reviews a balanced scorecard of area compliance and performance? This should include site metrices such as Safety, GMP, Hygiene, Quality, Cost, Delivery, Engagement and Environment.

• Are you able to work in a dynamic work environment and problem solve?

• Do you have a strong safety focus and looking for ways to improve the overall safety culture?

What awaits you at Unilever?

The core of Unilever’s culture is captured as Human, Purposeful, Accountable. You will be joining a dynamic, flexible, and inspiring work environment that truly cares about your wellbeing, values what you do and celebrates your success.

This is your opportunity to be part of a purpose-led business and a global community where you can progress your career both locally and internationally. You will also benefit from amazing discounts on external company products, attractive employee referral reward program amongst other benefits.

This is a great opportunity to work within an iconic and global organization. We have gained our reputation as one of the world's most admired employers by providing an environment where individuals can achieve their goals, both professionally and personally.

Make no mistake we expect a lot from our people as they do of us. So, if you can rise to the challenge, don't waste any time - apply now!

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment journey. Should you require additional information or reasonable adjustments to allow you to present your best self during this process, please contact Puja Thakur at puja.thakur@unilever.com  or to anz.talent@unilever.com

Unilever is an organization 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.

This means we encourage people with all backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pacific Peoples, and people with disabilities. Interested in learning more, check out our Reconciliation Action Plan and Workplace Adjustment Policy on the Unilever webpage.

At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! We encourage you to advise us at the time of your application if you require any reasonable adjustment so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.