Sr. Procurement Manager Packaging Origami

Job Title: Procurement Manager Packaging
Function: Procurement
Scope: Global
Work Location: Mumbai HO

Req ID: R-1176006

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.

CATEGORY INTRODUCTION
Part of the Supply Chain’s family, Procurement is responsible for over 30B Euro of material and services spend globally with more than 50,000 suppliers. Getting the right services and materials, sustainably sourced and ensuring responsible procurement is critical to ensuring our brands with purpose grow. Our teams work closely with the business to understand brand needs, bring supplier innovation to meet changing consumer needs and drive financial value for Unilever through competitive buying. We’re at the forefront of digital procurement, bringing new tools and analytics to drive data-based decisions.
• Origami Program is an integral part of the procurement strategy and future fit operating framework. It is a licence to operate project aimed at developing affordable alternative solutions to the current plastic flexible packaging used for Unilever products. It will cover the entire portfolio of all Business Groups and markets.

JOB PURPOSE
Find your purpose at Unilever. You will lead innovations, big and small, that will make our business win and grow. You will learn from brilliant business leaders and colleagues in a truly global and diverse culture to ultimately become a better you. If you are:
Strategic, systemic thinking & entrepreneurial to push the teams 3 steps ahead towards excellence. A team player leader, dynamic and forward looking and high on influencing skills a healthy forward-looking challenger> then this role is just for you.
You need to fully understand the wider business context and you are emotionally intelligent to deliver leading for performance and care.
You are the heartbeat of the program delivery serving as the interface between the external Partners and the business stakeholders, ensuring the program imperatives are met through a robust program governance with a focus on what matters.
You will own and drive the successful implementation of the Sustainable Future Flexible Packaging program

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

Key Accountabilities:

Strategy

• Build deep value chain understanding and industry analysis to define the best sourcing model, including any Value Chain intervention and should cost modelling for each alternative solution.
• Design the Development and Sourcing Strategy in alignment with R&D which will deliver the most affordable and sustainable flexible packaging solutions.
• • Ensure suppliers competitiveness across the value chain leading global RFQs
• Ensure implementation by the BG and BUs of agreed strategies working closely with Unilever Global BG and BU Procurement, R&D and Supply Chain teams.

Value Creation

• Overall responsible for ensuring the value creation from the program is in line with the business case deliverables
• Ensuring alignment with Unilever’s performance management framework

Project Management and Governance

• Implement and maintain robust program governance framework with Partners, as well as internal cross-functional stakeholders
• Monitor program progress across the Globe, identify potential risks, and develop mitigation strategies to ensure successful execution.
• Stay close to local tax regulation changes on plastic Flexible packaging to keep sourcing strategies always relevant
• Prepare regular progress reports and updates for senior management, providing insights into program status, challenges, and successes including any ‘Top to Top’ briefs.

Contract & Supplier Relationship Management

• Define and ensure partnerships for development needed with relevant legal framework
• Measure and manage overall performance of all Origami suppliers holding them accountable for meeting program deliverables, ensuring they adhere to agreed timelines, quality standards, and contractual obligations
• Adherence to SLA’s: Ensure all procurement activities adhere to contracted Service Level Agreements (SLAs), monitoring performance and addressing any deviations.

Business partnering & stakeholder interface

• Serve as the primary interface between the Origami partners and business stakeholders, facilitating effective communication and collaboration

Risk management and Compliance

• Identify, assess, and mitigate procurement-related risks, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and company policies
• Proactively identify potential risks and compliance issues and work with appropriate teams to address and mitigate them.

Change Management and Adoption

• Develop and implement change management strategies to facilitate the smooth adoption of the program across the organization.
• Identify potential resistance points and develop communication and training plans to address them effectively.
• Engage with stakeholders at all levels to create awareness, generate enthusiasm, and secure commitment to the strategy's success

Process Optimization and Continuous Improvement:

• Collaborate with subject matter experts to implement best practices and innovative approaches to enhance procurement efficiency and effectiveness.
• Ensure external/internal benchmarking & best practices -identify metrics, tools, and process to optimize sourcing, supplier activities and efficiencies.

Digital: Systems and Processes

• Facilitate regular communication and collaboration between internal teams and partners to ensure seamless integration and execution of digital initiatives.
• Monitor and liaise with S&I on digital initiatives, identifying and addressing any issues or risks

Stakeholders
Internal

• Procurement, R&D and Supply Chain
• Procurement portfolio -directs & capex
• BU teams
• BG teams
• Unilever Procurement leadership team (UPLT)
• Strategy & Insights teams
• Supplier Services in UniOps
• Legal : Contracting, NDA, JDA HR: People related queries Procurement and Supply chain finance teams R&D ( Global and BG/BU) Audit team Communications and Change management team
• Sustainability/Regulatory teams for all packaging waste regulations

External- Suppliers across full packaging value chain

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO SUCCEED

Experiences & Qualifications

ESSENTIAL

• Masters's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. Advanced degrees or certifications in project management or change management are a plus.
• 10+ years proven experience in procurement or supply chain environment
• Experience on large-scale, complex projects change management projects.
• Has a good understanding of Agile principles, values, methodologies and practices that enable agility and approaches delivery with an iterative and incremental (test - do – learn) approach
• Proven experience of working in cross-functional teams within a matrix environment – both F2F and virtual meetings.

PREFERRED Skills

• Extensive experience in procurement program management, preferably within a large organization.
• Strong knowledge of procurement processes, best practices, and industry trends
• Proven track record of managing third-party suppliers and ensuring accountability.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience in implementing program governance frameworks.
• Knowledge of risk management, compliance, and SLA adherence in procurement.
• Ability to drive process optimization and continuous improvement initiatives
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders
• Able to support the adoption and execution of a shared vision and strategy for change
• Outstanding problem-solving and analytical skills
• Passion for continuous improvement and practical creativity
• Robust verbal and written communication skills, including creation and delivery of effective presentations as an added advantage.

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