ICE CREAM - Warehouse Lead  

ICE CREAM is hiring for Warehouse Lead

Location: Netherlands HQ (Amsterdam)

Local conditions apply

Full-time/Part-time

For the recruitment of this position, we would like to emphasize that local conditions apply to the position and for this vacancy in principle we will first consider candidates based in the Netherlands. If you are based outside of the Netherlands and you are interested to apply, please feel free to do so but we can only take your application on if a decision is made to also recruit outside of the Netherlands.

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 €7.9bn 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 Wall’s, 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.

Ice Cream has distinct characteristics from Unilever’s other operating businesses and the growth potential of Ice Cream will be better delivered under a different ownership structure. 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.

ABOUT ICE CREAM: Life Tastes Better With Ice Cream

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, Wall’s, 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:

The Global SC Warehouse Lead is responsible for driving the strategic vision and operational excellence across the company’s global warehouse network. This role ensures the standardization and continuous improvement of warehouse processes, leveraging technology, best practices, and innovation to optimize efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction. The position plays a key role in aligning warehouse operations with global supply chain objectives, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and high-performance across all warehouse locations worldwide. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop & Implement Warehouse Excellence Strategy: Design and drive the global strategy for warehouse operations to ensure consistent best practices, efficiency, and cost optimization across all regions. 

• Process Standardization & Optimization: Standardize warehouse processes globally while identifying and driving continuous improvement initiatives to optimize throughput, reduce operational costs, and improve service levels. 

• Technology Integration & Innovation: Lead the implementation of new warehouse technologies, automation, and digital solutions to enhance operational efficiency and accuracy across global supply chains. 

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with global supply chain, procurement, logistics, and IT teams to align warehouse operations with broader business goals and strategies. 

• Performance Monitoring & KPI Development: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for warehouse operations, monitor performance, and implement corrective actions to ensure high levels of operational performance, accuracy, and customer satisfaction. 

• Global Warehouse Network Optimization: Evaluate and optimize the global warehouse network to improve inventory management, reduce lead times, and increase responsiveness to customer demands. 

• Change Management & Training: Lead change management initiatives for warehouse transformations, ensuring staff are trained and aligned with new systems, processes, and technologies. 

• Compliance & Safety Standards: Ensure compliance with global regulatory requirements, health and safety standards, and environmental guidelines across all warehouses. 

• Vendor & Stakeholder Management: Manage relationships with third-party logistics providers, vendors, and external partners to ensure service levels and contract compliance are maintained. 

• Cost Management & Budgeting: Lead budget planning for warehouse operations, including cost control measures to ensure operational efficiency and alignment with financial goals. 

• Leadership & Team Development: Provide leadership and mentorship to regional warehouse managers and teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and performance excellence across the global network.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED: 

EXPERIENCES & QUALIFICATIONS : 

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field. Advanced degree preferred. 

• Experience: Minimum of 7 years of experience in warehouse management or supply chain operations, with at least 3 years in a leadership role. 

SKILLS:    

• Leadership: Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams. Strong leadership and motivational skills. 

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop and implement strategic plans that align with business objectives. 

• Operational Excellence: In-depth knowledge of warehouse operations, inventory management, and logistics processes. Ability to drive continuous improvement initiatives. 

• Communication: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and senior management. 

• Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills. Ability to analyze complex issues and develop effective solutions. 

• Financial Acumen: Understanding of financial management principles and ability to manage budgets effectively. 

LEADERSHIP:

• You are an inclusive motivator of people. Your team deliver with real passion, growing and learning from each other whilst delivering quick wins. 

• You are still responsible for your own results and as a manager, you also need to motivate others to deliver with passion, creating an inclusive and engaging climate around you. You can balance challenge with support and coaching. You understand the wider business context and you are emotionally intelligent enough to motivate people to deliver what is needed. 

Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviors

• PERSONAL MASTERY: Sets high standards for themselves. Has emotional intelligence to take feedback, manage mood and motivations, and build empathy for others. 

• PASSION FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE: Generates intensity and focus to motivate people to deliver results at speed. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results. 

• TALENT CATALYST: Invests in people – coaches individuals and teams to realize their full potential. Creates an inclusive climate, empowering everyone to be at their best. 

• PURPOSE & SERVICE: Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside Unilever. 

• CONSUMER LOVE: Invests time inside and outside to understand the needs of consumers. 

• BUSINESS ACUMEN: Creates sustainable growth with purpose, engaging different partners across the system for change. 

WHAT DOES UNILEVER OFFER/WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?

Unilever is the place where you can be yourself and bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. We offer an exciting & dynamic work environment where you can make things happen. Furthermore, we offer some great reward and benefits!

• Attractive total remuneration package; excellent company pension, bonus, share scheme.

• Flexible cross-disciplinary career opportunities and a wealth of training opportunities & wellbeing resources whenever and wherever.

• Plenty of company-paid holidays to further ensure your work-life balance is maintained.

• We encourage an inclusive culture, which comes to life with interchangeable public holidays, paid paternity leave of 6 weeks and our transgender policy.

• Under the Hybrid Working principles, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 40%-60% in the office or at customers, suppliers or partners to connect and collaborate.  For the time you work from home, we will ensure you are well equipped. When you are at the office , you can enjoy our tasty canteen with prepped food and own products.

• Informal culture and being the first one trying our new products.

• My Fitness Plan (reduction on your Fitness Subscription).

• Home work allowance

•   Company laptop and mobile phone

• Green Mobility Policy.  

EXCITED?

Join Unilever and our team! To apply, you must do so online. Please do not forget to upload your CV and a motivation letter.  Your application will be reviewed against our requirements and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date to provide you with an update on the status of your application.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Please note this is a Direct Search led by Unilever. Applications from agencies will not be accepted, nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, parenthood, pregnancy or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against.

By highlighting the gender diversity at the workplace, Unilever encourages women equally men to apply. If you look for a job after a long career break or after any type of leave, do not hesitate to apply.

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