Ice Cream Global GBS Hub Director

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Title: Ice Cream Senior Director of Global Business Service Hub

Work Level: 3X

Reports to: Head of Global Business Services

Location: Pune, India

Terms & Conditions:local terms

Scope: To establish (define, design, grow and implement) a new greenfield Global Business Service (GBS) hub in Pune, India. Post which, the role holder will remain the dedicated Hub Lead, responsible for continuous improvement, transformation, and overall performance management to deliver operational excellence.

The Magnum Ice Cream Company (to be separated from Unilever November 1st 2025) will be the largest global Ice Cream Company in the world, with over 100 years of experience delivering a diverse range of indulgent, yet responsible, craft food experiences and treats delighting consumers. Committed to innovation, quality, and sustainability we have 35 brands, including 3 one billion Euro brands (Magnum, Wall’s, Ben & Jerry’s), a strong presence in over 60 countries, generating annual revenue of €8 billion. All brands are driven to transform moments into memories through indulgent yet responsibly made and marketed products. We have a well-developed strategy to deliver growth and value creation which is clear on where to play and how to win.

We turn the ordinary into the extraordinary by designing unique and innovative Ice Cream experiences that make life taste better, creating joyful experiences. In our Ice Cream business, we’re crafting the future through innovation and imaginative minds, creating unique products. We spark moments of happiness for people and within the communities where we operate. However, it is not as simple as it may seem. As Ice Cream makers we are serious about happiness. With warm hearts, we create the coolest products.

We are committed to developing and nurturing talent within our Ice Cream company. You will have ample options for career growth and exploration, allowing you to explore roles and opportunities across the new organisation. Your career development will be a priority for us, and we are dedicated to supporting your growth journey within the new company.

ABOUT GLOBAL BUSINESS SERVICES: A hub for future-fit capability, expertise and superior solutions to unlock speed, simplicity and operational agility.

This is your chance for a ‘once in a lifetime’ career experience, playing a part in the creation of a fully independent, new Ice Cream organization. As part of this set-up, Magnum Ice Cream will establish a future-fit and innovative GBS organization, partnering with multiple business functions across a global footprint to optimize processes, unlock business savings, and operational efficiency.

The GBS organization will partner key business functions including Finance, Enterprise Solutions and Information Technology, Procurement, Supply Chain, HR, Marketing, Customer Development and Sales, and Sustainability. A significant proportion of GBS roles will be based in our Global Hub in Pune, India, with supporting spokes to be established in the Americas and Europe.

JOB PURPOSE:

In this role, you will be responsible for defining, designing, growing and implementing the Global Hub for GBS for Magnum Ice Cream in Pune, India. Reporting to the Head of GBS, you will be part of the definition of the organizational blueprint and delivery pillars to be facilitated from Pune (and other delivery units) and will ensure sufficient and timely onboarding of employees, processes, tools and systems. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a new greenfield GBS hub, which will require a “hands-on” approach throughout.

Once established, you will be the internal and external face of the hub(s), and will be responsible for establishing a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring customer/client centricity and operational excellence to deliver best-in-class services, achieve financial cost targets, and maintain regulatory and quality compliance.

The role holder will also be part of the Global and Local leadership team, responsible for representing the hub/Magnum Ice Cream with key stakeholders including local authorities.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supporting the define, design, build and implementation phases of the organizational blueprint for the Global GBS Hub in Pune, India, including leadership of all relevant project activities.
• Work closely with the functions and Global Process Owners to improve processes and ways of working (e.g. through automation) to unlock simplicity, speed and agility to better serve Magnum Ice Cream customers/clients.
• Deliver continuous improvement, underpinned by a robust problem solving and knowledge management methodology, establishing relevant KPIs to deliver exceptional performance, striving for excellence in day-to-day operations.
• Be a key representative for the Magnum Ice Cream GBS Hub, including maintaining positive relationships with key stakeholders including local authorities.
• Be responsible for quality and regulatory compliance, and lead related improvement projects.
• Recruit and build a best-in-class GBS hub organization, including on-going talent development and line management.
• Be a member of the GBS Leadership Team, engaging in wider agenda to steer, challenge or drive overarching strategy-into-action, specifically supporting to map key deliverables, dependencies, opportunities and risks within the hub.  
• Support to lead/manage related transformation projects
• Budget and cost management related to transition and/or hub activation
• Line management including direct reports and dotted lines

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

Experience

• Must have:
  • 10+ years leading GBS / shared services hubs or operating organizations with cross domain experiences
  • 5+ years in a senior management position, leading 100+ individuals
• Advantage:
  • Experience in product management / supply chain / credit & collection
  • Experience in setting up a new organization
  • Experience leading within an international organization

Competencies

• Exceptional ability to manage complexity; including competing priorities, risk management, and interdependency management
• Passion for continuous improvement; challenging the status quo, efficient problem solving, driver of high performance
• Experience creating detailed process maps, e.g. value stream mapping
• Strong stakeholder management skills; able to effectively deal with resistance and conflicts, build strong relationships, and establish trust
• Demonstrated leadership skills; able to build, motivate and lead teams in an international context
• Highly analytical and structured customer centric behavior; excellence eye for detail, hands-on mentality, and ability to work under pressure to strict deadlines

Qualifications

• Relevant Masters Degree or relevant experience
• Advanced Lead Practitioner / Black Belt certified (or equivalent experience)
• Fluent in English language, additional languages are a plus, esp. a local Indian language

ARE YOU EXCITED TO CRAFT THE ICE CREAM FUTURE?

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. 

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter detailing their relevant experience and qualifications to Unilever's career portal.