Flexible Packaging Procurement Assistant Manager

Job Title: Flexible Packaging Procurement Assistant Manager 

Scope: Global

Work Location: Mumbai HO, South Asia

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 that drives 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.

ABOUT PROCUREMENT:

Part of the Global Business Operation family, Procurement is accountable for over 30B Euro of material and services spend globally with more than 60,000 suppliers, over half of them in MBS. Getting the right services and materials, sustainably sourced and ensuring responsible procurement is critical to ensuring our brands with purpose grow. Our teams work closely with the business to comprehend stakeholders needs, bring innovation to meet changing consumer, employee and customer needs, and drive financial value for Unilever through competitive buying. We’re at the forefront of digital procurement, bringing new tools and analytics to drive data-based decisions.

Origami Program is an integral part of the procurement strategy and future fit operating framework. It is a lisence to operate project aimed at developing affordable alternatives to the current plastic flexible packaging used for Unilever products. It will cover the entire portfolio of all Business Groups and markets.

Flexible Portfolio Operations Contact flexibles accounts for 50% of total packaging spend in South Asia and India is the 2nd largest flexible packaging market for Unilever. Flexible packaging plays an important role in helping many categories / businesses in HUL to grow, improve margins & stay competitive in the market.

Also, as part of Unilever’s plastic commitment, we pledge to make all our packaging 100% recyclable by 2025.

• This is a project management role where, knowledge of packaging, supplier landscape & material cost models are of important to help businesses grow & stay profitable. This role is instrumental in ensuring cost control, supplier development, contract management, network transitions (renovations & innovations), procurement operations and ensuring execution of key savings projects for their respective categories. This role also supports the execution of sustainability agenda for flexible pkg which is key to achieve HUL’s overall target on plastics. This role also helps the overall business with appropriate pricing signals to stay competitive in market.

JOB PURPOSE:

 You will own and drive the successful implementation of Origami program.

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

Key Accountabilities:

Flexible Portfolio Operations

• Control and management of all innovation and renovation networks for Flexibles, Tubes and Decorations
• Forecast review of pricing for the portfolio
• Driving the digital agenda for the team

Origami

Project Management and Governance

• Implement and maintain robust program governance framework with Partners, as well as internal cross-functional stakeholders
• Monitor program progress across the Globe, identify potential risks, and develop mitigation strategies to ensure successful execution.
• Stay close to local tax regulation changes on plastic Flexible packaging to keep sourcing strategies always relevant
• Prepare regular progress reports and updates for senior management, providing insights into program status, challenges, and successes including any ‘Top to Top’ briefs.

Contract & Supplier Relationship Management:

• Define partnerships for development needed
• Measure and manage overall performance of all Origami suppliers holding them accountable for meeting program deliverables, ensuring they adhere to agreed timelines, quality standards, and contractual obligations
• Adherence to SLA’s: Ensure all procurement activities adhere to contracted Service Level Agreements (SLAs), monitoring performance and addressing any deviations.

Business partnering & stakeholder interface

• Serve as the primary interface between the Origami partners and business stakeholders, facilitating effective communication and collaboration

Digital: Systems and Processes

• Facilitate regular communication and collaboration between internal teams and partners to ensure seamless integration and execution of digital initiatives.
• Monitor and liaise with S&I on digital initiatives, identifying and addressing any issues or risks

The Assistant Manager will interface with the following stakeholders:

Internal:

Procurement:

• Procurement portfolio -directs
• BU procurement teams
• BG procurement teams
• Unilever Procurement leadership team (UPLT)
• Strategy & Insights teams
• Supplier Services in UniOps

Legal: Contracting, NDA, JDA HR: People related queries Procurement and Supply chain finance teams R&D (Global and BG/BU) Audit team Communications and Change management team

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO SUCCEED

Experiences & Qualifications

ESSENTIAL

• University degree preferably Masters
• At least 5 to 7 years solid experience in Finance/Procurement/Supplier Operations
• Good knowledge of Sustainability, circular economy, and processing technologies
• Experience on large-scale project management roles
• Financial acumen to comprehend the complete forecasting process
• Experience on large-scale, complex projects change management projects.
• Has a good knowledge of Agile principles, values, methodologies and practices that enable agility and approaches delivery with an iterative and incremental (test - do – learn) approach
• Proven experience of working in cross-functional teams within a matrix environment – both F2F and virtual meetings.

Skills

• Project and network management.
• Strong knowledge of Supply chain ways of working
• Strong Negotiation & communications skills
• Digital and analytics knowledge
• Senior Stakeholder management
• Financial acumen for business cases and reporting
• Experience in Procurement transformation projects, tools, and technologies.
• Conversant with Procurement tools like Ariba, SAP, Coupa & Power BI
• Extensive experience in procurement program management, preferably within a large organization.
• Strong knowledge of procurement processes, best practices, and industry trends
• Proven track record of managing third-party suppliers and ensuring accountability.
• Experience in implementing program governance frameworks.
• Robust verbal and written communication skills, including creation and delivery of effective presentations as an added advantage.

D&I statement:

 Equal Opportunity Employer: Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against based on disability. Unilever embraces diversity and encourages applicants from all walks of life. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity