Indirect Procurement Coordinator – LATAM

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Join Our Ice Cream Team!

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 €8bn 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 Good Humor, 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.

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, Good Humor & 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

As Indirect Procurement Coordinator – LATAM, you will play a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the Ice Cream business globally. You will be responsible for the indirect portfolio in LATAM including marketing, business services, CAPEX, MRO and IT. This role will work closely with cross-functional teams within the organization, including Marketing global-regional level, CMI, R&D, Finance, HR and factory leads to streamline marketing and business service procurement processes, focusing on high-impact solutions. If you are passionate about managing end to end portfolio, gaining wide procurement experience for business services, driving business with direct contribution, then this role is tailored for you. 

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 drive category value through negotiations, technical and analytical skills to move our ice cream business towards the highest level of innovation, design and commercialisation, while ensuring equipment is timely delivered to all the countries in LATAM. 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. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• 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.

• Performance Monitoring: Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to procurement activities. Ensure that procurement strategies contribute positively to financial and operational targets.

• 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.

• Market Analysis: Conduct market research to stay informed about industry trends, supplier capabilities, and pricing dynamics. Use this information to make informed procurement decisions.

• 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 indirect procurement, bringing insights and sharing internal and external best practices across markets.

• Strategic Sourcing: Understand the business needs related to functional areas of spend in Workforce Management, HR and Outsourcing and bring deep expertise and insights across the value chain and supply base to translate the business requirements into effective future-fit procurement strategies. Develop and implement procurement strategies for each of respective sub-portfolios within business services. Connect global strategy within market execution.

• Contract Negotiation: Negotiate contracts and agreements to ensure the best terms and conditions for the company. 

• Indirect Spend Management: Oversee marketing, business services, CAPEX, MRO and IT budgets, ensuring alignment with business strategy and objectives and financial plans. Deliver against financial targets and other KPIs (including value delivery) as per business plan objectives. 

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with Senior management, HR, finance, factory leads, HR, and other internal teams to align procurement activities with business goals.

• Process Improvement: Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. Ensure Portfolio fundamentals (i.e., data consistency, data insights, recurring stakeholder communications, contracts, etc.) are all put in place. Future proof the portfolio by driving digital and AI approaches, while building technology enablers to help manage selected portfolio and scope. 

• Compliance: Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies and legal requirements. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

SKILLS & LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS REQUIRED:

• Self-starter with strong accountability, responsibility and leadership skills

• Strong on execution, have analytical skills and pro-active

• Able to work independently

• Be result and solution oriented; be able to solve (unexpected) problems (at short notice)

• Able to build relationships with people across the business (internally & externally).

• Experience in and understanding of business processes

• Multi-level communication and being a good team player

• Strong communications skills and ability to engage and influence others

• EXPERIENCES & QUALIFICATIONS:   

• Strong experience in procurement, with experience in marketing procurement or business services 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. 

• Willingness to travel 20% of the time. 

• Availability for a hybrid position

We take pleasure seriously. Join the Ice Cream team now!

Unilever is an organisation 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. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.