Assistant Category Manager - UFS

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.

JOB PURPOSE
This role owns and drives the entire innovation and portfolio management agenda for Unilever Food Solutions Egypt. As both a strategic leader and operational driver, the Portfolio & Innovation Lead is responsible for identifying growth opportunities, shaping the innovation pipeline, building and managing project networks, and ensuring seamless execution of all innovation, renovation, and value improvement projects.

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE
1. Strategic Innovation & Portfolio Ownership
• Lead the design and execution of the innovation, renovation, and complexity reduction roadmap, aligned with business priorities and category strategies.
• Translate global and regional priorities into a local pipeline that is relevant, scalable, and profitable.
• Manage the full innovation funnel, from insight generation/research and ideation through feasibility, development, and launch
2. End-to-End Project Leadership
• Build and manage detailed project timelines (PRM Weekly-networks) for all launches using input from R&D, Supply Chain, Procurement, Marketing, and other required cross functional teams.
• Own the weekly project review process: schedule and lead meetings, define agendas, track milestones, record actions, and ensure follow-up.
• Actively monitor risks and delays; communicate implications to stakeholders and identify opportunities to accelerate timelines or unblock bottlenecks.
• Ensure full project delivery accountability — on time, in full, and within agreed scope.
3. Market & Operator Insights
• Generate deep local operator and market insights by working with chefs, Operator-visits, external research partners, and sales teams on regular basis.
• Translate insights into actionable innovation ideas, renovation needs, or value improvement initiatives.
• Continuously monitor competitive activity, market dynamics, and customer feedback to shape proactive portfolio decisions.
4. PLEs, Reporting & Innovations performance monitoring
• Maintain portfolio visibility, documentation, and performance reporting.
• Optimize the portfolio by evaluating/take actions on low-value SKUs and supporting margin improvement programs with Cross functional leads.
5. Process Excellence & Capability Building
• Drive continuous improvement in innovation processes, artwork workflows, and launch readiness.
• Act as the local subject matter expert for innovation delivery, promoting best practices and supporting cross-functional capability development.
6. Artwork Management & FG Code Creation
• Manage the Artwork lifecycle, including briefing, coordinating with design agencies, stakeholder alignment, and on-time approval until delivery.
• Ensure timely creation and system readiness of Finished Goods (FG) codes in coordination with the cross functional teams.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO SUCCEED

Experiences & Qualifications

• 3+ Years experience in Marketing preferably within FMCG company.
• Proven experience in brand or marketing management with ownership of strategy and execution.
• Strong commercial understanding including budget and performance management.
• Ability to translate insights into impactful actions.
• Experience working cross-functionally in complex organizations.
• Experience in fast-moving consumer goods.
• Exposure to innovation development and product launches.

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.

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.