Unilever Future Leaders Programme - Customer Development NL

Netherlands

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

Job ID:: R-1176604
Date posted:: 03/02/2026
Job Type:: Full time
Job Category:: Customer Development, Early Careers

Our Future Leaders Programme will ignite the leader in you. This unique programme is designed to develop Unilever’s Future Leaders (UFL) by providing challenging and purposeful opportunities that accelerate their readiness to take on business leadership roles.

The Unilever Future LeadershipProgramme“UFLP”,is a 3-yearTraineeshipprogrammethat gives you the opportunity to develop yourself into an experienced future-fit professional. Bring your enthusiasm, curiosity and innovative ideas to the table and start your learning journey at Unilever as a UFLP.

Please find more information about the application process, requirements and why you should apply onourUFLP Netherlands website.

About Unilever:

Unilever is one of the world’s largest Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) businesses. We reach 3.4 billion consumers a day and we have 128.000 employees globally.
We make products that people love – and that make a difference, Nutritious foods, Household care essentials, Luxurious shampoos... and many more. Shoppers buy them in more than 190 countries. That meansyou’llfind at least one of our products in seven out of ten households on the planet. And we want every one of those products to make a positive impact on the lives of the people through our brands, our commercialoperationsand relationships, through voluntary contributions, and through the various other ways in which we engage with society.

*As we receive a high volume of applications, please make sure to read the job descriptions on our website carefully and apply for the role you are most interested in.

Your application will be considered for one track, the first you have applied for*

What will you be doing as a Customer Development UFLP?

By joining the Unilever Future LeadershipCustomer DevelopmentProgramme, we want to show you the full range of ourSalesdepartments, which can vary from job rotations in all parts of Customer Development (Key Account Management,Category Management, Field Sales, E-Commerce, and Fast Delivery). During the three-yearleadershipprogramme, you will learn and build holistic experience in multiple aspects of the commercial part of our organization, for instance by developing deep category knowledge and building true customer relationships. The limitless opportunities at Unilever allow you to broadly develop yourself as a (business) leader.

For example, in one job rotation, you could be building partnerships with our customers, which may include supermarkets, convenience stores, drug stores, discounters, online retailers, and even theme parks. You wouldwork togetherclosely with your customersto maximize a new product launch, recommending the right range of products, negotiating an annual business plan, or looking for new business opportunities. WithinSalesthe focus lays onmaintaininga healthy relationship with your counterparts.

In another job rotation, you could be working on the category strategy for one or more customers. After diving into marketdatayou would be sharing your objective insightsintohow the market is performing, informing the customer with valuable category andconsumer insights. In this role you could be advising the customer and Key Account Management colleagues on a customer-fit portfolio and promotion strategy.

Whatdowe look for?

It might come as a surprise, but you do not need a specific educational background – this is aprogrammein which your personality will set you apart. It takes a special blend of ambition, peopleskillsand commercial acumen. You will need creative business thinking to succeed and get the best out of every situation.

You will need to be credible and confident in front of people, have a critical mindset, and have a passion for growing businesses, coupled with the power to influence and negotiate.

It takes commercial talent, strong businessskillsand consumer love to actually make things happen. It takes logic, ambition, strong organizational skills, and an understanding of how businessesoperateto succeed within thisprogramme. You bring a digital mindset and will be tackling business challenges in an agile and disruptivemannerand you can expand your mind to think as a consumer. You have a passion for sustainability, and you believe that businesses with purpose last.

What will theprogrammeinvolve?

Theprogrammeis designed to give you the ability to grow into a commercial manager, through hands-on learning alongside world-class experts.You will develop your individual leadership skills by working on real jobs from the start.You will have at least three rotations within theprogramme; these will give you a wide range of experiences in a broad range of dynamic and exciting areas of the business:

The UFLP Customer Developmentis a combination of rotations within our different Customer Development teams, which willmainly consistof sales roles, including Key Account Management,E-commerceand Category Managementelements.

During theprogramme, you receive on-going development through a learning plan to build your personal skills and leadership but also functional learning opportunities through on-the-job learning. Next to this, each UFL isassigned a mentorto guide you through the 3-yearprogramme.

During the 3 years of theprogramme, you will have realresponsibilities,and you will get the opportunity to make an impact. Your development is supportedwitha leadership journey of internal and external training focused on developing your leadership, personal, and sales skills.

First-hand experience –it’sthe fastest way to learn. The Unilever culture encourages innovative thinking. We will push and support you to achieve your potential, whilst giving you the chance to shape your career path according to your interests, strengths, and ambitions. 

Requirements for application:

Eligibility to work in the Netherlandsisamustbefore theemploymentstartdateof the UFLP programmeon the1stof September 2026.

A Master’s/Bachelor’sdegree, WO (university) degree (or international equivalent), isa mustat the start date of the UFLPprogrammeon the 1st of September 2026.

Youcan also apply with acompletedHBO (applied sciences)

Fluency inDutch& Englishlanguagesisamust(Note: Please complete your SOVA digital interview in English).

We recommend that you only apply with a maximum of 5 years of experience to get the best out of the UFLP.

Search year/Orientation year visa isnotaccepted. Unilever cannot support the request for a visa in any form (R&D talents, EU nationals, and candidates with asylum residence permits, areexceptedfrom this requirement).

Application Process :

Ouronlineapplication process starts from the2ndof March 2026to the21stof March 2026.

You need tofinalizethe Online Application, OnlineAssessmentandDigital Interview before the 21stof March 2026 to be eligible for the UFLP.

Note: We workon afirst-comes, first-served basis.It will take a few days to finish all online application stages, so finish all stages as soon as possible when applications open.

Theentire selectionprocess includes:

Stage 1: Online Application:
Complete the online application form. It is a simple and easy application process with the option of filling out your details using your LinkedInprofile.

Stage 2:Online Assessment (Personality/Profile assessment):

Complete two stages of profile assessment; a portrait personality test and an online assessment. These are designed to look at different elements of your cognitive, emotional, and social traits. You will receivepersonalisedfeedback after completing each stage.

Stage 3: Digital Interview(Online):

The digital interview will consist of 3 short questions followed by a business case. You will be asked to solve real-world problems using Unilever scenarios. You’ll be able to record and complete your interview anytime and anywhere. (Please complete your SOVA digital interview in English)

Stage 4: Discovery Center Day(Physically at the Rotterdam office):
You will be invited to a ‘day in the life’ of aat Unilever. You will get to experience a face-to-face day filled with several exciting activities including project meetings, business challenges, a team meeting with Unilever colleagues, and an interview.

Our Discovery Center Dayswill take placebetween April 13 – April 30atour Rotterdam office. Physical attendance is mandatory.

Stage 5: Job Offer

What Can UnileverofferYOU?  

A competitive starting salary of 52.700 EUR gross yearly incl. holiday allowance

30 company-paid holidays, excluding public holidays

A company pension scheme with a low pension contribution of 3%. You will see this back in your net salary.

Annual performance-based bonus

Multiple job rotations based on your track and learning needs

Personal and functional learning and support along the way

Share scheme

Home working allowance

My Fitness Plan (deduction on your Fitness Subscription)

Company laptop and mobile phone

Green mobility policy

Informal culture and being the first one trying our new products

We encourage an inclusive culture, which comes to life with interchangeable public holidays, paidpaternity leaveof six weeks and our transgender policy

Do you need any special requirements to complete the application process or the online assessments?

The application process consists of an online assessment and a digital interview. We automaticallyprovideaccessibility options such as decrease/increase font size, change font &colour, screen ruler, screen mask for everyone who wouldrequiresupport through a tool bar on the platform called 'Recite Me'.

If you need another reasonable adjustment to complete any part of the application process, please let us know in the application form (stage 1 in the process).

For anyadditionalassistance,Pleasecontact the Talent Acquisition team atUFLP.ApplicantsBNX@unilever.com

Please note sometimes, correspondence may end up in your spam folder. Please regularly check your spam folder during the entire recruitment process.

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Unilever is an organisation committed to diversity and inclusion 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 and the talent they can bring. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

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