Business unit CIO Europe and ANZ Region & In-Home Lead

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

UNILEVER IS LOOKING FOR AN ICE CREAM – Business Unit CIO Europe and ANZ Region & In-Home Lead

Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Full-time   

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.

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 inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. 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.    

We want our business to flourish, and we know that our success depends on others flourishing around us. That's why our purpose is to make sustainable living commonplace, and why sustainable, long-term growth is at the heart of our business model.   

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 €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 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.  

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:

As part of our growth strategy, we are seeking an experienced and strategic Business Unit Chief Information Officer (BU CIO) to lead technology strategy and execution for our Europe & ANZ region and our global In-home technology Products. The BU CIO will serve as the primary technology leader for the business unit, ensuring that IT, D&A and digital capabilities enable and accelerate business unit and inhome channel outcomes. This individual will work closely with the business unit leadership team, the markets within the region and collaborate with global platform teams to deliver scalable, innovative, and fit-for-purpose technology solutions.

The newly created Ice Cream Technology function will drive the technology set-up, standalone design and implementation of all required technology capabilities to enable Unilever’s Ice Cream business to become a fully functioning standalone company, separate from Unilever.

The Europe BU CIO & In-home Product Lead role is a senior leadership role responsible for driving the overall technology and strategy for Ice Cream in Europe, ANZ and globally for In-home solutions. The role will develop and execute the technology strategy for the business unit, aligning with the broader organizational vision, goals and overall IT Strategy.

The key purpose of the role is to lead the BU organisation through strategic and tactical technology activities and operate as the overarching leader that enables all product and platform teams to meet the regions needs. This role will partner closely with the Chief Technology & Information Officer (CTIO) and the rest of the Tech and D&A Ice Cream LT and work closely and collaborate with other business leaders, partners and UniOps to support the overall set up of a future-fit IT function for the standalone Ice Cream organisation.

The successful candidate will be one that has Significant IT expertise with a proven record of leading large-scale technology transformation and has a passion for building world class technology and a desire to make a meaningful impact.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Business Unit Chief Information Officer (BU CIO) is a senior leadership role responsible for ensuring our overall technology capabilities deliver and support growth for the region. This role will report directly to the Ice Cream Chief Technology and Information Officer (CTIO). At a high level these are the areas of focus for the role covering a broad set of technology domains including (but not limited to):

Technology Strategy & Leadership:

• Develop and execute the technology strategy for the business unit, aligning with the broader organizational vision and goals.

• Act as a strategic partner to the business unit leadership team, driving innovation, operational efficiency, and competitive advantage through technology

• Stay ahead of emerging technologies, industry trends, and competitive advancements to shape a forward-looking technology roadmap

Collaboration with Global Platform Teams:

• Partner with global IT and platform teams to ensure the successful delivery of enterprise-wide systems and capabilities to the business unit

• Advocate for the business unit’s specific needs and priorities while balancing alignment with global technology standards

• Ensure seamless integration of global platforms with regional solutions, optimizing performance and user experience

Technology Delivery & Operations:

• Oversee the end-to-end delivery of technology solutions, from ideation to deployment, ensuring projects meet timelines, budgets, and quality standards.

• Ensure robust and secure IT operations for the business unit, addressing uptime, cybersecurity, and compliance requirements

• Continuously optimize technology operations to enhance cost efficiency, scalability, and performance

Stakeholder Management:

•  Build and maintain strong relationships with business unit leaders, serving as a trusted advisor on all technology-related matters.

• Communicate complex technology concepts in clear, business-relevant terms to senior executives and stakeholders

• Collaborate with external partners, vendors, and consultants as needed to drive technology outcomes.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead, inspire, and develop a high-performing business unit IT team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability.

• Build technology talent pipelines, ensuring the team is equipped with the skills and expertise to meet current and future demands.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

The preferred candidate would have 10+ years of of progressive experience in cybersecurity, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.

Following key skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a related field; advanced degree (MBA or equivalent) preferred.

• Proven experience as a senior IT leader, ideally in a matrixed organization or business unit CIO role within a larger enterprise.

• Demonstrated success in delivering technology and D&A strategies and solutions that drive business growth and efficiency.

• Strong understanding of enterprise platforms (e.g., ERP, CRM, eCommerce, Analytics, D2C) and their deployment in global organizations.

• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

• Experience in balancing global technology standardization with regional business needs.

• Familiarity with agile delivery methods, digital transformation, and cloud technologies is a plus.

• Systemic and strategic thinking: Being able to consider longer term implications for the business, elevating the conversation to business, society, and ecosystems. A deep understanding of the business and levers to pull, engaging others to prioritise and pursue opportunities that deliver significant growth for Unilever Ice Cream and have a positive impact on the world.

• Owner’s mindset: Using financial acumen, data, and insights to inform their thinking that both makes the complex simple for others, creating a sense of urgency with a business edge and can show how those insights have created impact and delivered business value.

• Functional, Business and Commercial Acumen: Understanding of various business and functional models, industry dynamics, and market trends is crucial, combined with a deep understanding of how Unilever Ice Cream serves consumers and correlatedly creating an IT function poised to create a sustainable competitive and effective operation.

• Change Leadership and Communication prowess. Leading and landing transformative change, comfortable experimenting with innovative approaches, pushing themselves and others to achieve outstanding outcomes. Crafting communication narrative that is inspiring and compelling to drive change.

• Analytical and problem-solving Expertise: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing risks, issues and dependencies.

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.

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