Factory Leader

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/FUNCTION INTRODUCTION

Customer Operations drives superior experiences for our consumers by ensuring product availability on line and on shelf and superior customer experiences through being the no. 1 supplier. The department  links the supply and demand sides of the organization through digital platforms and ensures accurate forecasts, optimized inventory, superior customer service, reduced logistics costs and efficient order to cash processes.

JOB PURPOSE

The Factory Leader is responsible for operating a factory as per agreed standards. S/he leads manufacturing activities in the factory to achieve desired service levels on time. The Factory Leader delivers site targets following the supply chain and category strategies including targets on service, costs, productivity, quality, innovation and OSHE.

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

• Deploy and deliver annual plan and financial results including targets on service, costs, productivity, quality, innovation and OSHE
• Develop long term site strategic plans to the Regional Category and Supply Chain teams
• Lead site to develop and implement continuous improvement plans to deliver site targets –manufacturing performance management
• Manage and deliver the site’s financial results: annual budgets, sourcing Unit result, conversion costs and create programmes to deliver financial results
• Engage and facilitate the implementation of innovations on site, for products, ways of working, service models and supply chain models
• Propose, agree with Category Technology and implement the necessary capital investments to meet the planned production requirements, safety, environmental and cost targets
• Pursue a site long term plan, including restructuring, re-engineering and retrofitting as agreed by VP SC Category; prioritize and plan resources development and deployment
• Ensure that the technical standards of all manufacturing and non-manufacturing fixed assets are maintained.
• Enable the factory operation to achieve high level of Customer Service at optimal cost
• Support Unilever Manufacturing System (UMS) activities and teams by leading the UMS Steering Committee
• Co-ordinate and direct the factory and co-packer operations to achieve the agreed production plans at the specified product quality with optimum labour, energy and materials utilization.
• Ensure Working Capital management systems are effectively used, and deliver inventory targets set with Regional Category Planning Directors and Regional Supply Management Directors.
• Co-ordinate and direct the quality management in line with QA system and ISO 9000 procedures.
• Lead HR policy deployment and implementation on sites, including management of employee relations.
• Ensure effective local stakeholder management and community issues aligned with Unilever policies.
• Guard and ensure the application of all Unilever Policies and governance requirements.
• Lead on initiatives and projects aiming for sites integration and collaborative work along the extended supply chain.
• Lead Supply Planning
• Be the statutory head of factory where there is a legal separation

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

Experiences & Qualifications

• Relevant Tertiary Qualification or relevant work experience (Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management/Operations Management, Bachelor of Science, or equivalent)

• 8- 10 Years experience in Supply Chain (Make/Technology, SHE, Quality are must, additionally Plan, R&D an advantage)

Preferred:

• FMCG experience

• Ice-Cream, Dairy, Foods & Refreshment

• Factory GCC (in the process of completing or completed)

Skills

• Strategic outlook
• Stakeholder management 
• Analytical skills 
• Communication skills 
• Relationship building

Key Interfaces 

Internal:  

• All SC Departments in the business

• CD / Marketing Team/Finance Department

Regional Teams (R&D/Category SC/SM)

• HR / Legal/ Corporate Affairs

• Unilever factories and MSO’s

External:

• Material Suppliers

• Engineering, Utility and Equipment Suppliers, Contractors

• 3PL Suppliers, Co-Packers

• Trade Unions

• Local Authorities

Skills

• Leadership and People Management
• Operational Excellence
• Strategic Thinking
• Financial Acumen
• Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality (HSEQ)
• Supply Chain & Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Digital & Technical Proficiency
• Resilience and Adaptability
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills
• Coaching and Talent Development

Unilever embraces diversity and encourages applicants from all walks of life! This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. 

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.