Head of Customer Development, Home Care North America

Location: VT, NJ or remote US

ABOUT UNILEVER

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. 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 ambition 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.

HOME CARE NORTH AMERICA AMBITION, BRANDS & MISSION

We’ve set a bold ambition for our Home Care business in North America – aiming to build the most admired conscious Home Care business, doubling our business by 2030, powered by a bold, connected and mission driven culture.  We aim to bring this ambition to life through our brands – Seventh Generation and The Laundress – and most importantly, our people.

For over thirty years, Seventh Generation has been on a mission to transform the world into a healthy, sustainable, and equitable place for the next seven generations—and beyond.  Seventh Generation is committed to providing effective, safe, bio-based products that are good for the planet and for your family. We hold deeply that business can and should be a force for good.  A name can say a lot, but for us, Seventh Generation is far more than just a name. It embodies the essence of who we are, what we strive to be, and what sets us apart.

The Laundress is a beautiful brand that is on a mission to be the most coveted fragrance home care brand.  A leader in the luxury detergent space, this is not your typical home care brand, but one built on care and bringing the world of premium fine fragrance and personality into your laundry and cleaning routine.

JOB PURPOSE

The Head of Customer Development will lead the full sales organization across customer, category strategy and customer strategy & planning; responsible for building short- and long-term growth strategies, deep customer relationships, net revenue management, team & people development with the primary purpose of accelerating the performance of our brands & people.  

As a result, this position will need to be data and insights driven; measuring objectives, key results, ROI and relentlessly focused on the consumer, customer, strategy, fiscal delivery and optimization.

This role reports directly to the CEO/GM of Unilever Home Care NA and will partner and lead closely alongside them as well as be a core member of the leadership team driving our culture and mission.

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

• Annual business delivery: Owns the annual plan delivery driving quality results, ultimately leading to market share & brand growth. Owns the key Customer/Trade engagement and activity calendar, partners with their Customer Strategy & Planning lead to manage net revenue at the highest level for trade optimization and management.

• Strategic leadership & vision: Drive step change in retailer performance through partnership, clear strategies & holistic vision of what’s needed to drive in-year and out-year executional excellence.  Sets the vision for the future and leads the change and transformation agenda accordingly. 
• Rigorous prioritization: Focused priorities aligned with Seventh Generation & The Laundress growth strategies to create the highest impact.
• Customer relationships: Focused, strategic dedication to top customers to elevate relationships and performance.

• High performing team culture: Leading in alignment with our values & behaviors, build and focus on high performing & winning team culture in partnership with HR.  Cultivates a high-performance culture, setting clear expectations, celebrating wins, willing to take risks and learning from it all. 

• Analytics & performance management: Monitoring pricing, sales volume, and product mix to ensure that organizational goals are met.  Consumer and customer first analytics. 

• Stakeholder engagement and communication: Builds and manages relationships with diverse stakeholders and executive leaders.  Champions community engagement and protects the company's reputation.

• Compliance and Advocacy: Adheres to our Code of Business practice, and associated Business Integrity requirements.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO SUCCEED

Experiences & Qualifications

• Must have experience with majority classes of trade and relationships with senior leaders at key retail partners
• Must have proven performance driving strategic change and growth acceleration
• Must have proven success in CS&P partnerships focusing on retailer strategy/performance
• 20+ years of increasing responsibility spanning Field Sales, Sales Operations, Business Planning, Customer Marketing, Category Management, or relevant roles within the US.
• Track record of making decisions under uncertainty and complexity with clarity & accountability
• Role models leadership through disruption, adversity, and crisis
• A powerful communicator with strength in storytelling
• Experience driving transformational change paired with proven results in delivering strong sales results.
• Proven track record of organizational savviness; managing stakeholder, and executive relationships.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills with the ability to create a climate where people can be at their best.

YOUR SKILLS

You’re a born leader: Develop and deliver joint business planning activities with customers, constantly optimizing the P&L, creating value, and finding truly sustainable mutual ground through active JBP management.    You take responsibility for leading and growing our culture. You inspire others and create space for new ways of doing things, challenging ‘business as usual’ and adapting to consumer needs whilst taking intelligent risks to grow the business.

You’re a strategy guru: Work jointly with Customer Strategy and Planning and our local and Global Brand leaders to set and deliver business targets. Comfortable with complexity and ambiguity, finding solutions to tough problems, broad interests, high curiosity.

You’re a teacher: Dedicated people leader and bench developer, able to attract, motivate, develop, and retain talent cross functionally through clarity, connectivity, and celebration of success.

You’re a master negotiator: A skilled negotiator that sets the example to successfully navigate and influence senior leadership at the customer independently, effectively getting resolution with mutually beneficial growth outcomes.

You’re a paradox navigator: You drive the business forward by creating opportunities and breakthrough solutions for growth, driving performance through disciplined execution and high performing teams. You play to win, setting bold ambitions, inspiring and energizing the organization. You build and sustain an environment where others can connect purpose with consumer impact and have the space to experiment and learn. You empower others to deliver with excellence and stay three steps ahead.

You’re a culture & change champion: Develop a winning team for current and future performance. High EQ and empathetic leadership who is very Insightful, reflective, clearly understands personal strengths and weaknesses, actively seeks feedback, and deeply understands the difference between intent and impact.

You’re a “New World” Business Acumen Expert:  Understands the complex external environment and internal workings and constantly adapts framework for solving business challenges with the evolution of the landscape

What We Can Offer You

Culture for Growth | Top Notch Employee Health & Well Being Benefits | Every Voice Matters | Global Reach | Life at Unilever | Careers with Purpose | World Class Career Development Programs | Check Out Our Space | Focus On Sustainability

Pay: The pay range for this position $221,100 - $386,925. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs.

Bonus: This position is bonus eligible.

Long-Term Incentive (LTI) This position is LTI eligible.  

Benefits: Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

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Unilever is an organization committed to diversity and inclusion 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. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. 

For more information about your Federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal and Pay Transparency Non-discrimination Provision.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at NA.Accommodations@unilever.com. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.

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