ICE CREAM Head of Services & Portfolio Mgmt- Technology Strategy & Portfolio Director

Note: Deadline for applying is 23.59 the day before the Job Posting End Date.

UNILEVER IS LOOKING FOR AN ICE CREAM – Business Unit CIO Europe and ANZ Region & In-Home Lead

Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Full-time   

Local conditions apply  

For the recruitment of this position, we would like to emphasize that local conditions apply to the position and for this vacancy in principle we will consider candidates based in the set locations. If you are based outside of these locations and you are interested to apply, please feel free to do so but at this stage we will not take your application forward. We will only consider your application if a decision is made to also recruit outside of the set locations.

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.    

We want our business to flourish, and we know that our success depends on others flourishing around us. That's why our purpose is to make sustainable living commonplace, and why sustainable, long-term growth is at the heart of our business model.   

ABOUT ICE CREAM: Life Tastes Better With Ice Cream

 Unilever Ice Cream is 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 are investing to unlock the full growth potential of Ice Cream as a standalone entity, once we separate from Unilever, which is planned to happen by November 2025. Ice Cream has distinct characteristics from Unilever’s other operating businesses and the growth potential of Ice Cream will be better delivered under a different ownership structure.  

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.  

JOB PURPOSE:

As part of our growth strategy, we are seeking a highly skilled Strategy & Portfolio Director to join our dynamic team and lead the development of the Technology enterprise vision, strategy, and overall technology, Data and AI product portfolio for Ice Cream. The role combines strategic thinking, external insight, and cross-functional collaboration to guide the company’s technology agenda, ensuring that the portfolio is aligned with long-term business objectives. This leader will work closely with regional and global teams to drive alignment, foster innovation and optimise technology investment for the Ice Cream business.

The newly created Ice Cream Technology function will drive the technology set-up, standalone design and implementation of all required technology capabilities to enable Unilever’s Ice Cream business to become a fully functioning standalone company, separate from Unilever.

The Strategy & Portfolio Director is a senior leadership role responsible for driving the integrated technology strategy and principles across Ice Cream ensuring that we have and maintain an integrated digital transformation journey for the company.  Accountable for the overall portfolio performance and budget, this role is required to engage on a regular basis with the IC IT LT as well other internal senior stakeholders and external partnerships . This role is crucial to ensure the technology, Data and AI roadmap and goals align with initiatives within the overall business goals.

This role will partner closely with the Chief Technology & Information Officer (CTIO) and the rest of the Tech and D&A Ice Cream LT and work closely and collaborate with other business leaders, and partners to support the overall set up of a future-fit IT function for the standalone Ice Cream organisation.

The successful candidate will be one that has Significant IT expertise with a proven record of leading large-scale technology transformation and has a passion for building world class technology and a desire to make a meaningful impact.

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE?

The Strategy and Portfolio Director is a pivotal leadership role responsible for shaping the technology strategic direction and optimizing the product portfolio of digital capabilities for Ice Cream. This role combines strategic thinking, external market insights, and cross-functional collaboration to guide the company’s technology investments to support growth, ensuring that the portfolio is aligned with long-term business objectives. This leader will work closely with regional and global teams to drive alignment, foster innovation, and maximize return on investment.

Strategic Planning and Vision:

• Collaborate with senior leadership to develop and articulate Ice Creams Tech and D&A global strategic agenda, setting priorities that align with organizational goals.

• Conduct strategic market analysis, and regular benchmarking to ensure the function stays relevant compare to external peers. 

Portfolio Management and Optimization:

• Oversee the management and optimization of the digital portfolio across the business, balancing innovation with financial performance and Technology Roadmap integrity.

• Conduct portfolio analysis to evaluate performance, fit, and positioning, identifying areas for expansion, repositioning, or depriortization

• Drive initiatives to simplify and optimizing the portfolio and ensuring alignment with overall strategy.

Change Management:

• Oversee both the organisation and technology change management needs for the function.

• Ensure that standardized methods and procedures are developed and adopted for efficient and prompt handling of all changes to control the IT environment.

• Drive organizational change management and communications where relevant for technology related activities

Innovation and Pipeline Development:

• Lead cross-functional efforts to develop a robust innovation pipeline, bringing business- driven needs to the organisation while managing risks

• Partner with the Ice Cream IT LT to translate needs into actionable Innovation and AI strategies, ensuring the innovation is on-strategy, while robust to meet all security and responsible AI standards

• Champion the adoption of new technologies and practices that will future proof the organisation.

• Work with the Chief Enterprise Architect on initiatives that explore and exploit new technology trends and innovations, such as cloud, AI/ML, GenAI and data analytics.

Policies, Standards and Operating model:

• Oversee the policies, standards, general IT controls and operating model for the Technology and D&A organisation

Budgeting & Financial Management:

• Develop metrics and KPIs to track portfolio performance, conducting regular reviews to ensure projects and capabilities are meeting all performance targets

• Develop and manage the overall IT Operational and Project budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources.

• Critically evaluate and approve financial investments in new capabilities, upgrades, and ongoing maintenance.

• Track and report on the financial performance of all initiatives.

Stakeholder Collaboration and Communication:

• Serve as a key liaison between regional and global teams, ensuring that strategies are well communicated, understood, and executed

• Provide strategic guidance to regional teams, supporting the adaptation of global strategy to local markets and enabling flexibility within the broader portfolio framework.

THE QUALITIES WE LOOK FOR

The preferred candidate would have 10+ years of progressive experience in technology strategy and implementation, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.

Following key skills:

• Strategic Vision and Decision Making: Ability to think long-term, analyze trends, and make informed decisions.

• External Insight: Deep understanding of technology trends, and relevant technology landscapes within the consumer goods industry.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills and experience leading cross-functional projects across different regions.

• Financial and Analytical Acumen: High proficiency in data analysis, with the ability to assess performance and guide data-informed decisions.

• Adaptability and Flexibility: Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with evolving priorities.

• Systemic and strategic thinking: Being able to consider longer term implications for the business, elevating the conversation to business, society, and ecosystems. A deep understanding of the business and levers to pull, engaging others to prioritise and pursue opportunities that deliver significant growth for Unilever Ice Cream and have a positive impact on the world.

• Owner’s mindset: Using financial acumen, data, and insights to inform their thinking that both makes the complex simple for others, creating a sense of urgency with a business edge and can show how those insights have created impact and delivered business value.

• Functional, Business and Commercial Acumen: Understanding of various business and functional models, industry dynamics, and market trends is crucial, combined with a deep understanding of how Unilever Ice Cream serves consumers and correlatedly creating an IT function poised to create a sustainable competitive and effective operation.

• Change Leadership and Communication prowess. Leading and landing transformative change, comfortable experimenting with innovative approaches, pushing themselves and others to achieve outstanding outcomes. Crafting communication narrative that is inspiring and compelling to drive change.

• Analytical and problem-solving Expertise: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing risks, issues and dependencies.

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?

Unilever is the place where you can be yourself and bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. We offer an exciting & dynamic work environment where you can make things happen. Furthermore, we offer some great reward and benefits!

• Attractive total remuneration package; excellent company pension, bonus, share scheme.

• Flexible cross-disciplinary career opportunities and a wealth of training opportunities & wellbeing resources whenever and wherever.

• Plenty of company-paid holidays to further ensure your work-life balance is maintained.

• We encourage an inclusive culture, which comes to life with interchangeable public holidays, paid paternity leave of 6 weeks and our transgender policy.

• When you are at the office, you can enjoy our tasty canteen with prepped food and own products.

• Informal culture and being the first one trying our new products. 

• My Fitness Plan (reduction on your Fitness Subscription).

• Home work allowance

• Company laptop and mobile phone

• Green Mobility Policy.   

EXCITED?

Join Unilever and our team! To apply, you must do so online. Please do not forget to upload your CV and a motivation letter.  Your application will be reviewed against our requirements and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date to provide you with an update on the status of your application.

Looking forward to meeting you! 

Please note this is a Direct Search led by Unilever. Applications from agencies will not be accepted, nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, parenthood, pregnancy or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against. 

By highlighting the gender diversity at the workplace, Unilever encourages women equally men to apply. If you look for a job after a long career break or after any type of leave, do not hesitate to apply.

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