SEA Market Development Manager Assistant

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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

Job ID:: R-1182432
Date posted:: 06/01/2026
Job Type:: Full time
Job Category:: Customer Development

Unilever is currently hiring for a SEA Market Development Manager Assistant

Function: Customer Development
Reports to: Business Development Manager
Scope: Customer Development, South Africa
Location: Agnostic
Terms & Conditions: Full time

CATEGORY/FUNCTION INTRODUCTION
Customer Development (CD) is what we call our Sales organization at Unilever. Customer Development works closely with our customers to pioneer new products, build categories, and best deploy best-in-class retail and shopper capabilities.

JOB PURPOSE

Lead in Market Plan execution (Aligned to BU Strategy)
Executes strategically aligned Commercial Plan in Market
Decides Channel/Customer Prioritisation in Market and deploys Budget according.
Leads Core Capabilities and objective customer engagement (Catman /Shopper )
Leads execution of aligned pricing strategy in the country/ cells

RESPONSIBILITIES

Category Growth Strategies

Localise (Develop and deploy) CGS at channel and customer level,
Work closely with Brand, CSP, DMs and Distributor teams to build Customer sell-in

Innovation

Define national innovation & launch plan to channels/customers.
D4C/D4R: executes locally AND integrates upstream into BU

Targets and Budgets

Tracking USG targets and investment to deliver BG strat by channel and customer
Pricing and promotions, Mix
Own Pricing & Promo strategy.

Execution

Deploy aligned commercial plan in Market via Distributor Managers & to ensure strength of execution.
Define channel / Customer Execution: (SoS). Define national innovation & launch plan to channels/customers.

Experiences & Qualifications
• Minimum 2 years experience in Marketing or Sales in FMCG industry
• BComm degree (preferably in Marketing, Business Administration, Financial majors)
• Strong excel skills.
• Demonstrated cross-functional team.
• Strong demonstrated insight & analytical skills
• Previous experience using Nielsen, PowerBI or customer platforms like Dunnhumby or PnP info hub) would be very favourable.

Skills
• Innovation mindset
• Commerce channels execution
• Digital business models
• Commercial Strategy
• Business Acumen / NRM
• Category Growth Management
• Data-Drive Mindset
• Customer and Retailer Understanding

Unilever Behaviors

Care Deeply: We care deeply about how consumers experience our brands every day, everywhere; about our people’s growth and development, and our impact on the planet. We care about our performance, to a point where it hurts when we don’t win.

Focus on What Counts: We ruthlessly prioritise what truly matters, and so do fewer things brilliantly. We set clear goals & direction and recognise others for maximum impact.

Stay Three Steps Ahead: We think boldly and creatively to make breakthroughs in performance. We are always curious and confident - anticipating and staying ahead of consumer needs and external trends, to beat the competition.

Deliver with Excellence: We deliver excellence in what we do at pace. We take personal ownership and hold each other to account – always finding a way to do what we said we will do.

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.

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