Business Development Manager

Auckland, New Zealand

Professional seated at a conference table with laptops and a presentation screen in a modern office setting

Job ID:: R-1181829
Date posted:: 05/20/2026
Job Type:: Full time
Job Category:: Customer Development

Who are we?

On any given day, 2.5 billion people globally use Unilever products to feel good, look good and get more out of life. Many of our brands are well-known, household staples and old-time favourites including Dove, Rexona, Lynx, Vaseline, OMO/Persil, Surf,TRESemmé, and Continental.

We have a long tradition of being a progressive, responsible business. It goes back to the days of our founder William Lever, who launched the world’s first purposeful brand, Sunlight Soap more than 100 years ago, and it’s at the heart of how we run our company today. In 2022 Unilever Australia & New Zealand became a Certified B Corporation™ (B Corp), joining a growing network of organisations committed to galvanising a stronger, more inclusive, equitable and regenerative economy for all.

A job at Unilever is a career made by you, with development opportunities, benefits and a working culture that embraces diversity and is pioneering flexibility. There’s no better time to join our team!

Purpose of Role:

The Field Team is the front facing, execution arm of Unilever New Zealand. This critical function ensures that Unilever’s category & customer growth plans are executed within our key customer partners. Building internal and external relationships at all levels & functions within our customers are the key building blocks to the success of our business.

TheBusiness Development Manager (BDM)roleis the important link between the front line of retail and Unilever. They are responsible for the development and delivery of the execution strategy of our business in some of NZ’s biggest retail stores (New World, Pak N Save, Four Square, Fresh Choice)

Responsibilities:

Development & execution of a territory business plan / strategy to deliver growth
Presenting Unilever Business Review’s’ across the territory
Use of Dunnhumby and Neilson data tools to develop store-based insights,create compelling data driven sales storiesto unlock sales objectives / KPI’s
Manage the ‘Perfect Store’ process to unlock best in class instore practices supporting Commercial Review outcomes
Execution of the ‘Unilever Field Activity Plan’
Maintaining strong collaborative relationships with stores across all levels (Owner Operators, Grocery Managers, Buyers)
Active participation in Unilever Team Meetings (BDM Weekly Meeting, BPM’s, Go-to-Market, Unilever Conferences & Unilever Hui’s)
Use Foodstuffs official escalation processes to report & resolve non-compliance challenges to the HQ centralized plan (with Unilever CM’s/NFM as a secondary escalation point)
Identification and negotiation of incremental store-based opportunities across the Unilever portfolio including,
- Shelf space & positioning
- Recommended & optional ranges,
- Over & above displays
- Improved display location, guidelines (mudmap) & stock weight
- Store events
- Clearance
- Relays

Be the voice of Unilever to our retail store customers, sharing company updates, brand or product information & business/category insights
Provide feedback into the Unilever business on customer needs, store-based insights & opinions/perspectives for improvement
Reasonable level periodic in-store support of Unilever’s business interests (example: POG implementation, store training). This should be the exception not the norm.
Periodic review of operational elements in the store to identify and resolve challenges inhibiting Unilever’s business performance
- Stock Counts, shelf holdings & minimum presentation levels (to improve OSA)
- Promotional stock weights (for price promotions / display builds)
- Cutting in of NPD/Core Range (by exception)

Accountabilities (Deliverables):

Flexible Goals: Delivery of Unilever territory KPI’s within stated timeframes
- RSV Sales Targets
- Compliance to Perfect Store,
- Market Share
Delivery of Store specific growth plan (RSV)
Training and development

Key Skills:

Passion for High Performance & delivery against KPI’s
Strong at persuasive selling
Strong Negotiation skills
Strong communication skills
Teamwork and collaboration skills (internally & externally)
Strong category and customer knowledge (based on data & analytic ability, Dunnhumby/Neilson)
Self-motivated with strong personal leadership
Ability to identify and manage risk.
Competent Presentation skills (simplify complex data into simple sales stories)
Flexible mindset with ability to change and adapt to different business needs

Essential / Desirable Experience:

Minimum 2-5 years FMCG or sales experience (essential)
Experience using Dunnhumby/Neilson data tools (desirable)
Business related degree(desirable)

What awaits you at Unilever?

The core of Unilever’s culture is captured as Human, Purposeful, Accountable. You will be joining a dynamic, flexible, and inspiring work environment that truly cares about your wellbeing, values what you do and celebrates your success.

This is your opportunity to be part of a purpose-led business and a global community where you can progress your career both locally and internationally. You will also benefit from amazing discounts on external company products, attractive employee referral reward program amongst other benefits.

This is a great opportunity to work within an iconic and global organization. We have gained our reputation as one of the world's most admired employers by providing an environment where individuals can achieve their goals, both professionally and personally.

Make no mistake we expect a lot from our people as they do of us. So, if you can rise to the challenge, don't waste any time - apply now!

Unilever is an organization 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.

This means we encourage people with all backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pacific Peoples, and people with disabilities.

At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! We encourage you to advise us at the time of your application if you require any reasonable adjustment so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.

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