Product Manager – Direct Procurement & Payments

Job Title: Product Manager – Direct Procurement & Payments
Location: Bangalore

Background:
We need to simplify the Unilever technology landscape by reducing the number of applications. The separation of Ice Cream will remove a layer complexity within the organisation, whilst segmenting our markets will enable standardisation of Business Processes and eliminate further complexity. Furthermore, the end-of-life imperative to upgrade our ERP solution presents the opportunity for a fundamental technology transformation at Unilever.

Purpose of Job:
As Product Manager for Direct Procurement & Payments you will lead the functional design and delivery across key Supply Chain domains— Sourcing & Procurement & Invoice and Payment Management —supporting ERP clean-core transformation and application rationalization under the Mirai program. You will provide hands-on functional and technical leadership for applications impacted by the transition from four SAP ECC systems to a unified ERP, ensuring seamless integration, reinstallation, and stabilization. Your responsibilities will include optimizing systems for scalability, cost-efficiency, and resilience. A key focus will be driving fit-to-standard adoption and clean-core principles to enable process efficiency and innovation.
You will own the full lifecycle of solution delivery, implementing harmonized processes from system design to deployment and ensuring alignment with Mirai principles such as clean-core ERP, lean architecture and scalable, integrated solutions. Your scope includes collaboration with Procurement teams, Procurement Product Domain, Procurement GPOs, Master Data teams, System Integrators in delivering the same.

Key Accountabilities
• Define and drive the future-state ERP solution that integrates into Procurement applications focusing on functionality that delivers outcomes to enhance purchasing efficiency, supplier management, and overall procurement operations.
• Develop and execute Technology solution for the ‘To Be’ application landscape as defined under Mirai, ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Ensure solutions are scalable, compliant, and integrated with adjacent platforms by partnering closely with Procurement Product Domain for impacted applications.
• Responsible for delivering technology solutions in close partnership with service integrators and product partners
• Ensure design of applications that simplifies processes, reduces complexity, and aligns with future-state business objectives.
• Partner closely with Global Process owners and Champion a fit-to-standard approach, reducing unnecessary customizations and promoting best practices.

Champion Technical Excellence
• Work closely with the PMO and architect teams to ensure timely support with application expertise and knowledge and on time delivery of technical deliverables.
• Provide technical input into project planning, risk management, and issue resolution.
• Lead technical design, fit for AI future, performance tuning, and quality assurance to ensure the new application landscape meets business requirements.

Inspire Collaboration Across the Organization & SI Vendor
• Work with stakeholders to identify and eliminate non-value-added processes and customizations.
• Validate the solutions and ensure alignment with Mirai objectives
• Define outcomes & KPIs to track & ensure timely success
• Act as a trusted advisor to leadership, providing insights and recommendations on technical strategies and risks.
• Foster collaboration between core teams, SI vendors, and other external partners to ensure alignment and successful delivery

Experience & Qualifications:
• Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in well balanced technology & functional roles, with a previous exposure on ERP transformation program is preferable.
• 6+ years of experience in ERP functional experience with functional depth in areas of Direct Procurement & Invoice, Payments management.
• Deep understanding & appreciation of Unilever’s current key business models & processes across core Sourcing in Supplier & Contract Management, Purchasing, Invoicing, Payment processing & Spend Analytics
• Strong knowledge of Unilever’s Enterprise Applications & Products landscape.
• Hands on experience on ERP configuration & process setup, master data, and overall system integration is preferred
• Prior experience managing and leading design and development together with SI vendors.
• Demonstrated ability to drive major changes in complex, multinational environments through cross-functional teams.
• Preferably holding a license or training records.

SKILLS
• Deep Functional Expertise in Procurement
• Project/Program Management: Ability to define timelines, manage resources, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to assess complex process and system issues and define scalable, value-driven solutions in collaboration with business and technical stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a collaborative mindset and ability to work effectively across geographies, time zones, and functional domains.
• Leadership & Communication: Strong leadership, influencing, and communication skills.
• Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving: Ability to align technical strategies with business objectives to overcome issues and problems while keeping focus on driving long-term value.

LEADERSHIP SKILLS
• CARE DEEPLY: We care about how consumers experience our brands, the growth and development of our people, and their impact on the planet. We emphasize the importance of performance and care, moving from ambiguity about success to fairness and transparency.
• FOCUS ON WHAT COUNTS: We prioritize what truly matters, setting clear and stretching goals. We aim to shift from having everything as a priority to focusing on fewer, bigger things that are delivered to conclusion and are being rewarded.
• STAY THREE STEPS AHEAD: We encourage bold and creative thinking to make breakthroughs in performance. We focus on anticipating and staying ahead of consumer needs and external trends, shifting from reacting to leading, shaping, and disrupting the market.
• DELIVER WITH EXCELLENCE: The emphasis is on delivering everything with excellence and pace, taking personal ownership, and holding each other accountable. We aim to shift from pride in thinking to pride in execution, developing breakthrough solutions and ensuring the best outcomes.