Ice Cream Global GBS Transition and Project Director

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Title: Ice Cream Global GBS Transition and Project Director

Reports to: Head of Global Business Services

Location: Pune, India or Poland

Terms & Conditions: local terms

Scope: To lead the timely and seamless transition of Global Business Services (GBS) from Unilever to The Magnum Ice Cream Company and to establish and drive continuous improvement and performance within the GBS hubs thereafter.

The Magnum Ice Cream Company (to be separated from Unilever November 1st 2025) will be 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 €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.

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 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.

ABOUT GLOBAL BUSINESS SERVICES: A hub for future-fit capability, expertise and superior solutions to unlock speed, simplicity and operational agility.

This is your chance for a ‘once in a lifetime’ career experience, playing a part in the creation of a fully independent, new Ice Cream organization. As part of this set-up, Magnum Ice Cream will establish a future-fit and innovative GBS organization, partnering with multiple business functions across a global footprint to optimize processes, unlock business savings, and operational efficiency.

The GBS organization will partner key business functions including Finance, Enterprise Solutions and Information Technology, Procurement, Supply Chain, HR, Marketing, Customer Development and Sales, and Sustainability. A significant proportion of GBS roles will be based in one of our GBS hubs, with supporting spokes to be established in the Americas and Europe.

JOB PURPOSE:

Your role will be to support the GBS strategy-into-action, by leading the transition processes and projects related to GBS, including timely exits of TSAs to support the demerging of Unilever and Magnum Ice Cream, onboarding and knowledge transfer to new talent, creation/maintenance of relevant assets, documents, tools and processes, and overarching project and risk management.

In addition, you will lead a culture of continuous improvement, including identifying opportunities for process improvement, delivering a high degree of Service Level Agreements and other KPIs across hubs, and to manage related transformation projects.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Define and deliver the transition strategy, approach, and detailed process plans for the GBS transition, including the exit strategy for TSAs and entry strategy for new/bespoke GBS services
• Lead and drive the day-to-day delivery projects, ensuring completeness OTIF within the business case
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and scout for opportunities to improve processes, ensuring customer centricity and operational excellence across key KPIs
• Line management and development of a team of Transition Managers, supporting to deliver a compliant, high-quality and risk-managed transition
• Create and maintain relevant documents, assets, tools and processes   
• Support with potential to lead/manage related transformation projects
• Budget and cost management related to transition and/or hub activation
• Line management including direct reports and dotted lines

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

Experience

• Must have:
  • 8-10+ years leading major transition programs/projects
  • 5+ years leadership in captive business services or business process outsourcing organizations
• Advantage:
  • 5+ years leading operations in multiple functional domains or commercial areas

Competencies

• Exceptional ability to manage complexity; including competing priorities, risk management, and interdependency management, underpinned by project management experience (must have)
• Passion for continuous improvement; challenging the status quo, efficient problem solving, driver of high performance
• Experience creating detailed process maps, e.g. value stream mapping
• Strong stakeholder management skills; able to effectively deal with resistance and conflicts, build strong relationships, and establish trust
• Demonstrated leadership skills; able to build, motivate and lead teams in an international context
• Highly analytical and structured customer centric behaviour; excellence eye for detail, hands-on mentality, and ability to work under pressure to strict deadlines

Qualifications

• Relevant Master's Degree or relevant experience
• Certified Project Management Professional (or equivalent experience)
• Advanced Lean Practitioner (or equivalent experience)
• Fluent in English language, additional languages are a plus

ARE YOU EXCITED TO CRAFT THE ICE CREAM FUTURE?

Unilever embraces diversity and encourages applicants from all walks of life. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. 

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter detailing their relevant experience and qualifications to Unilever's career portal.