Logistics Procurement Manager

Note: Deadline for applying is 23.59 the day before the Job Posting End Date.

ICECREAM IS LOOKING FOR A Logistics Procurement Manager

Location: The Netherlands (Amsterdam)

Full-time: Yes

Local conditions apply  

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 consider candidates based in the set locations. If you are based outside of these locations and you are interested to apply, please feel free to do so but at this stage we will not take your application forward. We will only consider your application if a decision is made to also recruit outside of the set locations.

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.

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 Procurement Manager for Logistics in Europe BU Ice Cream will be responsible for the sourcing strategy development and procurement of Warehousing and Transportation services in the Frozen Network for the Europe BU Ice Cream. This position is responsible for business partnering with logistics function at a market level to land relevant capabilities that drive service, value creation, and responsible sourcing in the markets. This role will manage 4 direct reports, approximately 170MEur in spend, and more than 50+ logistics partners across warehousing, full truckload, partial load, pallets, repacking and Customs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

This role has direct buying responsibility for Warehousing and Transportation activities including:

• Following the standard 7-step strategic procurement process from strategy alignment and market scans to conducting Request for Proposals and contract negotiations to business approval, contract signing, and operational implementation.

• Prepare executive level briefs on the negotiation strategy for annual bids for review by the Head of Procurement for Europe BU Ice Cream and Head of Supply Chain for Ice Cream EU Region.

• Lead, direct, and coach direct reports to sustained high levels of performance and support career development opportunities during in person, hybrid, and remote work situations.

• Maintain market intelligence to forecast future cost structures with internal stakeholders in Logistics and Finance and maintain awareness of carrier partners’ financial trajectory.

• Identify disruptive emerging technologies to create capacity or innovation for the business, e.g., autonomous trucking, paperless BOLs, API integration, etc.

• Support any EU Ice Cream logistics network redesign projects to identify capacity solutions and providers that provide the right end to end need for cost, capacity, and service.

• Business partnering to the logistics operations team in the markets to deliver savings projects while achieving service level targets.

• Support Global benchmarking project work for Warehousing and Transportation to gain and maintain cost transparency and competitive buying for EU Ice Cream.

• Maintain productive relationships with external 3PL partners, organizing strategic business reviews and joint business development plans with Strategic partners.

• Oversee the ongoing development and implementation of solutions for sustainability to advance the company’s decarbonization roadmap.  

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

• Bachelor’s Degree required with preference in Logistics, Supply Chain, or other Business field.

• 10+ years of relevant Procurement or Logistics experience required, preferably in Consumer-Packaged Goods or within Cold Chain Operations

• Knowledge and experience of the Strategic Procurement Process.

• Understanding of Value Chain of transportation and demonstrated ability to extract costs.

• Experience negotiating cost variables with transportation providers leading to successful contract outcomes of over €20MM value.

• Deep understanding of should-cost modelling and ABC/productivity-based costing for warehousing operations.

• Experience in negotiating multi-year warehouse contracts with high levels of automation

• Awareness of 3PLs and market intelligence sources in EU Ice Cream Region

• Direct or indirect report management with demonstrated ability to lead, direct, and coach people.

• Proven abilities in stakeholder management, with an emphasis on listening and influencing.   

SKILLS & LEADERSHIP BEHAVIORS REQUIRED:

• 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.

EXPERIENCES & QUALIFICATIONS:   

• Bachelor’s Degree required with preference in Logistics, Supply Chain, or other Business field.

• 10+ years of relevant Procurement or Logistics experience required, preferably in Consumer-Packaged Goods or within Cold Chain Operations

• English Language Skills

• Managing stakeholders

• Good analytical skills, combined with a pro-active attitude and clear skills to enable (and in some cases lead) decision making processes.

• Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently with different stakeholders involved: SUs, Suppliers, Portfolio buyers, Planners.

• Good, fast & creative in problem solving.

• Project management skills

• International experience: study/work abroad (outside NL/EU) is a plus

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 and 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% 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.

NOTE: Please save a copy of this vacancy for personal use as it will disappear from the website after closing of the role.