Earlier this year, Unilever announced an agreement to combine its Foods business with McCormick & Company, creating a scaled global flavour powerhouse. The proposed combination would bring together iconic Foods brands, including Hellmann’s and Knorr, with McCormick’s portfolio to create a global leader across spices, seasonings, condiments and complementary food categories, supported by strong retail and foodservice platforms. McCormick brings more than 135 years of heritage, a presence in 150+ countries and territories, and a portfolio of trusted brands. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, with completion estimated for mid-2027.

Key Account Foods Italy - Centro Sud

Function: Customer Development
Scope: Local, Central and Southern Italy
Location and worksite details: Central and Southern Italy, with a primary focus on Centro Sud. Head office: Uffici di Roma

Terms & Conditions: Full-time, permanent. Strong field-based role requiring more than 55% business travel
Collective Labour Agreement: Food Industry (CNEL Code E012)

Salary Range: €43,200 – €59,400 gross per year

JOB PURPOSE

The Key Account Manager is responsible for developing sustainable commercial growth across assigned customers and channels in Central and Southern Italy. You will translate channel and customer priorities into effective annual business plans, lead commercial negotiations and deliver agreed sales and market contribution objectives. You’ll work closely with customers, Trade Marketing and other internal teams to identify growth opportunities, deliver strong in-market execution and build long-term commercial relationships that enable our Foods brands to thrive.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and execute customer plans: Translate channel and business priorities into clear annual customer plans, commercial actions, targets and performance measures.
• Lead commercial negotiations: Prepare, manage and lead customer negotiations, ensuring effective execution and protecting sustainable business value.
• Deliver commercial targets: Achieve agreed sales and market contribution objectives by identifying growth opportunities and supporting the commercial expansion of assigned customers and channels.
• Manage promotional execution: Implement promotional programmes developed in partnership with Trade Marketing, monitor their effectiveness and recommend corrective actions when required.
• Build long-term customer relationships: Understand customer needs and develop relevant commercial solutions and retention strategies that create sustainable mutual value.
• Coordinate cross-functional collaboration: Act as the key connection between customers and internal teams, ensuring clear communication, timely execution and effective resolution of commercial issues.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• At least three years of experience in Key Account Management, Sales, Trade Marketing or a comparable customer-facing commercial role.
• Demonstrated ability to develop customer plans, manage commercial negotiations and deliver sales targets.
• Strong analytical capabilities and a data-driven approach, with advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong communication, stakeholder-management and problem-solving skills, combined with an entrepreneurial, agile and proactive mindset.
• Fluency in Italian, a good command of English, a valid driving licence and availability for frequent business travel.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Engineering, Mathematics or a related discipline.
• Knowledge of Power BI, eCommerce tools or other digital sales and reporting platforms.
• Ability to build effective relationships and connect across teams, partners and projects, combined with a continuous-learning mindset.

As part of a truly global organisation, you’ll gain more than a career. You’ll tap into a vibrant, diverse network in a culture that cares deeply where everyone can succeed and grow. You will have the opportunity to make an impact and be eligible to sales incentives, as well as for voluntary long-term incentives, in line with the current company policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Benefits (in line with the current company policy):

·       Meal Vouchers for business trips

·       Company Canteen

·       Health and Life insurance

·       Digital Learning Academy

·       Company shop & discounts

·       Mental & Physical wellbeing programs

·       Enhanced parental leave

Tools:

·       PC

·       Company Car & Fuel Card

The compensation package and contractual level will be defined based on the candidate’s experience, technical skills, and seniority, as well as in alignment with internal equity principles.

If you’d like to learn more about our benefits and policies, further details will be provided by Unilever’s Talent Acquisition team!

We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee.

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment journey. Should you require additional information or reasonable adjustments to allow you to present your best self during this process, please contact your Talent Partner.

Please submit your application in English.

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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