Customer Strategy and Planning & Brand Manager Ice Cream Cyprus

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 Customer Strategy & Planning and Brand Manager Ice Cream oversees the marketing and CSP management of the category in the CY market. This role plays a key part in ensuring the category has the best fitting and consistent marketing and customer marketing strategy for the long, mid, and short term. Additionally, is a hybrid role between CSP & Brand Manager.

This role is based in Cyprus.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Leads the annual Integrated Business Planning process (IBP).
• Formulate 3–5 year roadmaps together with EMEE MKT Lead.
• Execute, evaluate & corrective actions, including launching innovation, running brand campaigns.
• Implementation of a proper product, price, place & promotion mix, to achieve market and financial objectives. Manage portfolio 5S (Smart pricing, Smart mix, Smart product platforms, Smart sourcing, Smart buying and partnering) programs and network/Supply Chain discussions.
• Continuously control the forecast & adjust the plan in response to changing conditions and priorities. 
• P&L ownership (weekly top line reporting) and together with CD and Planning team leads Sales & Operations Planning process and cycles. Obsoletes management on a monthly basis, organizing activities with stock with short SL.
• Deploy strategically aligned commercial plan in market with Customer Business Development
• Manage category development projects with major customers.
• Define national innovation plan and launch plan to channels/customers.
• Leading POSM, visibility & instore activations for key projects per category.
• Conduct deep dives in channel and customer reviews (frequently visiting also the customers, stores, etc.).
• Own Pricing and Promo Strategy.
• Budget owner (e.g. Trade promo, Media budget)
  Manage the review and actions of the quarterly forecasting outputs.
• Tracking total category/channel business performance.
  Monitors category/brand/channel market share, and financial and execution performance to address issues and opportunities.
• Own localized Category Growth Stories (CGS) to channel and customer level, with clear storytelling. Manage customer engagement on how to grow the category & create customer specific Category plans. 
• Constant communication and alignment with CY CD team for on-going projects & activations.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business Administration, Economics, or Communications.
• A Master’s degree in Marketing or an MBA is preferred.
• Over 3 years of experience in marketing with similar responsibilities.
• Extensive experience in media management (both traditional and digital), consumer and shopper activation campaigns, and product development.
• Proficiency in both Greek and English.

KEY SKILLS:

• Analytical & Strategic Skills
• Critical Thinking
• Collaboration Skills
• Stakeholder management and communication
• Business ownership and result-driven mindset
• Strategic planning and operational balance
• Strong understanding of market, shoppers, and retail environment
• Financial understanding / P&L management
• Action-oriented with insight-to-action focus
• Team player with excellent collaboration skills

      KEY INTERFACES:

• CY Local Board
• EMEE Customer Strategy and Planning & Marketing team
• EMEE Coordinator
• Integrated Planning & Customer Operations
• Customer Business Development 
• Finance Team (EMEE & CY)
• Marketing Team
• External – customers, agencies and associations

Rewards & Benefits:

• Hybrid way of working
• Competitive salary with performance-based bonuses
• Unlimited access to Unilever Learning Platform and Trainings that feels more like an adventure and less like a lecture
• Exciting team-building activities because we believe in having fun while achieving greatness
• Health and life insurance for you and your family
• Annual allowance for lunch

CVs will be treated in strict confidentiality.

Candidates, who meet specified qualifications, will be contacted by e-mail or telephone

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity 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. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.