Customer Business Manager, Unilever International US Seeding

Unilever is a global company making a significant impact with its brands and products. The Customer Business Manager will support the pursuit of market expansion and work closely with distributors and internal stakeholders to drive growth in the nutrition sector.

Responsibilities:

• Primary function is to work hand in hand with all cross-function leads/team to drive the seeding of our global trusted top ten (TT10) nutrition products within the strategic scope of serving the underserved Many Americans in the US, serviced thru a network of Importers/Distributors/Retailers. This includes identifying assortment gaps, working with New Product Development teams to land innovations with speed, and to accomplish account level sell-in, implementing shopper marketing programs and promotions, as well as developing new categories/segments
• Working closely with UI Distributors on robust long-range forecasting, and with UI Supply Chain, customer service to ensure 98% order fulfilment on time
• The incumbent will be required to work hand in hand with the Business Head and UI distributors to ensure delivery of top line, bottom line, market share targets, and superior customer service
• Representation at annual trade fairs and ability to present and sell products face to face, retaining existing customer base and expanding ACV distribution across Grocery, Mass, Independent and Club channels
• Projected business size $50M+ in 2024
• Lead annual Joint Business Planning (JBP)
• The role is important because you will become a critical member of the team leading sales in UL’s new business unit, you will be empowered to be involved in the strategy and own the delivery of key strategic goals, you will get to work with some of UL most iconic brands, the commercial impacts and performance of these brands to the business are sizeable
• Leading, screening, and mapping business opportunities in line with overall business strategy
• Identifying and driving innovations for launch in selected channels
• Managing potential businesses through market analysis, deal requirements, potential and financial analysis
• Overseeing end-to-end process from idea to launch with customers and internal teams
• Identifying suitable business partners through required research
• Managing pricing and oversee supplies and new initiative landing
• Overseeing business plan processes for logistics and planning, in close cooperation with internal business partners
• Overseeing speed-to-market for new product developments (NPD)
• Overseeing timely and appropriate management of customer complaints and relevant claims
• Leading and aligning cross functional teams to effectively manage projects in coordination meetings
• Collaborating with local OpCo for synergies
• Working closely with different stakeholders to align on critical projects, decision, to ensure there is synergy across different functions
• Supervising strategic business plan processes and speed-to-market for new product distribution across locations
• Overseeing networks for new product launches with supply chain team and alignment with Category team on launches
• Strong execution mindset, to own and execute key projects flawlessly
• Monitoring and ensuring key performance metrics are met

Requirements:

• Be a strategic, highly adaptable and entrepreneurial person
• Embrace a high growth mindset, with strong love for consumers, shoppers and customers
• Have strong financial acumen and analytical skills
• Have strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills with senior stakeholders
• Have experience working and leading in cross-functional teams
• 8 – 10 years' experience in FMCG industry in Sales/Customer Development in Commercial Cleaning or B2B distribution sector
• 8 – 10 years' experience in FMCG industry operational key account management, marketing, business or finance partnering roles
• Experience in Key Account Management (B2B)
• A bachelor's degree in any discipline
• You are an action-orientated, results-driven, highly adaptable and an entrepreneurial person and a rebel at heart
• A high growth mindset, with strong love for consumers, shoppers and customers
• A consistent track record of exceptional business results with humility to give credit and resilience
• Excellent financial acumen and analytical skills
• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills with senior stakeholders
• Experience in working and leading in cross-functional teams and leading strategic customer relationships
• Proficient language skills in English and Mandarin will be an advantage