Category Innovation Planner

Job description

Position: Category Innovation Planner

Department: European Deo Category Innovation Planning Team

Reporting to: DEO P&I Manager

Grade: EF6

Overview of role:

The delivery of right-first-time innovations into the marketplace at perfect Quality is fundamental to driving the growth ambition of the Deodorants Category. An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Category Innovation Planner within the European team, to play a role in bringing these innovations to life both in the Leeds SU and across the virtual factory network. You would be joining a team who are managing 70+ live innovation projects and 1000 SKUs, across the key brands Rexona/Sure, Axe/Lynx, Dove, Impulse and Local Jewels. The projects range from large step-change projects, led globally and delivered regionally over a longer time scale, to country-specific or targeted activities which require focused effort by a cross functional team in short timescales to shape and react to market conditions.


Key Responsibilities:

· Accountable for the planning and management of projects for a given portfolio to define scope, key activities and timings required to prove capability and move into production.
· Create/manage networks and lead SC element of all Innovation projects within a given portfolio.
· Working in cross functional teams, led by marketing with representatives from technical functions – hold individuals accountable for the delivery of their activities and ensure projects remain “on track” vs. delivery expectations.
· Management of projects to very tight timescales - an ability to work to agreed deadlines is essential.
· Attendance of regular brand team meetings and project meetings, to review brand plans and ensure teams are set up to deliver new innovations against the required timings.
· Working with key countries to ensure a customer focus in both the delivery of innovation projects and implementation of best practice, ensuring end to end supply chain costs are minimised.
· Responsibility for logistics data. An aptitude for using systems e.g. Microsoft Project & Excel is important. Training on internal systems will be provided as required.
· Involvement in VIP projects & production transfers between sites. He/she will also play a key role in reducing the complexity of the product portfolio through Smart Complexity principles.
· Support implementation of category-wide change projects.

Qualifications Skills & Experience:

· Degree level qualified
· Minimum 2 year's experience of Supply Chain/Logistics function (ideally FMCG)
· Demonstrated ability in project management and cross-functional team working.
· Experience in Microsoft Office, especially Excel/MS Project and SAP.
· Excellent communication skills at all levels.

Standards of leadership:

· Accountability & Responsibility
· Bias for Action
· Global Mindset

How to apply:

To apply, you must do so online using the “Apply to this job” link below. 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.

By applying for this vacancy, you are confirming that you have made your Line Manager aware of your application and that you are at a point in your career with Unilever where it is appropriate for you to be applying for other positions.

Internal Applicants:

Please attach your latest PDP to your application as well as an up to date CV. Please note the PDP system is not linked to the recruitment system so these need to be added as attachments when applying.
Please ensure that you have informed your current line manager of your application.