Procurement Manager - Value Chain Intervention

Job Title:Procurement Manager - Value Chain Intervention

Requisition ID: R-90396

Job level: 2B

Work Location: India (Mumbai HO, Bangalore)

Function: Procurement, Supply Chain

Travel: Yes, 25% of time

ABOUT UNILEVER

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that has a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. Our strategy begins with a purpose that places consumers at the heart of everything we do: Brighten everyday life for all. Our goal is to deliver best-in-class performance with market-making, unmissably high-ranking brands. 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 collaborative, and flexible working environment. Our organizational aspiration centers around creating workplaces that foster equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging across all aspects of our business. 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 Supply Chain’s family, Procurement is responsible for over 30B Euro of material and services spend globally with more than 50,000 suppliers, over half of them in MBS – Marketing and Business Services. 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 understand brand needs, bring supplier innovation to meet changing consumer needs and drive financial value for Unilever through cut-throat buying. We’re at the forefront of digital procurement, bringing new tools and analytics to drive data-based conclusions. We support a network of thousands of suppliers, more than 1.5 million smallholder farmers who in turn support communities of over 7 million people. Our Procurement “Lighthouse” Strategy focuses cut-throat buying through various levers like world class buying practices, deeper value chain insights, value chain transformation, partnership with purpose and strong procurement expertise.

PROCUREMENT VALUE CHAIN INTERVENTION TEAM

The Procurement Value Chain Intervention Team is a newly formed team guiding one of the most important pivots for Unilever to deliver step-change across the value chain of materials, and services, building a future fit model. This is a once in a generation opportunity to make a big impact across the organization.

We are hiring a strategic and analytical Value Chain Intervention Manager to help us design, evaluate, and deliver initiatives that optimize how Unilever sources, produces, and delivers materials and services across Business Groups – Home Care, Personal Care, Beauty & Wellbeing, Foods, Marketing and Business Services (MBS), and Logistics.

This role is ideal for someone who is comfortable navigating complexity, aligning stakeholders, and turning data into clear, actionable transformation cases.

KEY RESPONSIBILITY

• Conduct comprehensive end-to-end analysis of our materials, products and services value chain — from sourcing and manufacturing through to distribution and customer channels, as well as from demand management to activation and performance management — to identify inefficiencies, value unlocks, and opportunities for strategic shifts into make or buy conclusions.
• Use analytical tools, data modeling techniques, and external expertise to extract insights and trends that support opportunity identification and resolution-making.
• Build robust business cases for transformation initiatives, including cost and feasibility assessments, CAPEX/OPEX modeling, and ROI projections.
• Translate complex analysis into clear, actionable proposals with compelling narratives for cross-functional and senior stakeholder alignment.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and process improvements by assessing value drivers, structural inefficiencies, and new technology enablers.
• Evaluate current and emerging production, sourcing, digital technologies, and technology advancements (including AI-augmented solutions) that can drive efficiency, resilience, or innovation across the value chain.
• Support the governance of the value chain transformation program — tracking initiative progress, benefits realization, and value delivery.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Procurement, Supply Chain, R&D, Finance, Marketing, and Business Units to co-design initiatives and ensure strategic alignment.
• Contribute to shaping a more connected, transparent, and future-fit global supply network.

KEY INTERACTIONS

• Procurement buying portfolio and BG/BU Procurement teams.
• Procurement Leadership Teams and Procurement Directors
• Global Supply Chain Leaders
• Global Business Owners in marketing, media, data and technology
• BU Leadership teams – including Supply Chain, Finance, Marketing, and R&D
• Procurement Strategy & Insights and Procurement Finance teams
• Key Suppliers, external agencies, and strategic partners
• Business stakeholders across functions and geographies
• Industry experts and insights resources

LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS

• Strategic, Systemic Thinking
• Strong Communication & Influencing skills.
• Outstanding problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Self-Starter and Self Learner
• Collaborative and curious
• Entrepreneurial spirit and a bias for action
• Strong in selling ideas and concepts

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• 6+ years’ experience in Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain, or R&D roles – within Unilever, FMCG, Manufacturing or other Global environments.
• Experience in Indirect Procurement or Services Procurement portfolios (e.g. media and marketing) is a plus.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects or transformation initiatives.
• An educational background in Engineering (e.g. Chemicals, Food Technology, Packaging), Business Administration, Supply Chain or a related field is preferred; equivalent experience will also be considered. An MBA is desirable.
• Strong business and commercial acumen, with the ability to quickly understand new topics and business models.
• Experience building business cases, conducting cost modeling, and applying financial thinking to resolution-making.
• Comfortable working in complex matrix organizations and engaging senior stakeholders across functions and geographies
• Excellent communication, storytelling, and influencing skills - data-driven yet engaging, and able to simplify complex topics.
• Strong problem-solving mindset, with the ability to meet deadlines and proactively resolve issues.
• Ability to work independently, as well as guide and collaborate across functions and regions
• Capability to analyze end-to-end systems and recommend improvements with measurable business value
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and data visualization tools, experience with AI tools or agent creation is a plus
• Self-starter mindset with strong ownership, adaptability, and resilience in delivering high quality outcomes.

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.

"All official offers from Unilever are issued only via our Applicant Tracking System (ATS). Offers from individuals or unofficial sources may be fraudulent—please verify before proceeding."