Head of Sales, US Strategic Grocery

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. 

JOB PURPOSE

The Head of Sales will lead the development and delivery of Unilever’s strategy and operational plan by leading a cross functional team. The role is responsible for delivering volume, share, and profit targets across a $1B portfolio. 

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

As the Customer Business Development leadership team prepares for 2027 and beyond, the Sales Director must be skilled at achieving this objective in a way that demonstrates progressive market approaches, including:

• Utilize joint business planning to further build and develop strategic customer partnerships
• Work closely with Marketing and Customer Strategy and Planning (CSP) Teams to develop and deliver a market share driving destination portfolio for Walmart
• Use Shopper Insights and trends to understand and leverage new opportunities for growth as the path to purchase evolves
• Build and expand outstanding customer relationships vertically and horizontally
• Dynamic P&L management surgically investing to generate exponential top and bottom line growth while maximizing ROI
• Lead, develop and champion extended cross functional team
• Deliver Unilever’s Sustainable Living Plan through our customer by selling with purpose

You’re a born leader: Develop and deliver joint business planning activities with customers, constantly optimizing the P&L, creating value and finding truly sustainable mutual ground through active JBP management

You’re a strategy guru: Work jointly with Customer Strategy and Planning and our Brand leaders, working effectively in a matrix (categories/channels) to set and deliver business targets; Develop and fully implement common processes for customers.

You’re a teacher: Dedicated people leader and bench developer, able to attract, motivate, develop and retain talent cross functionally through clarity, connectivity and celebration of success.

You’re a master negotiator: A skilled negotiator that sets the example to successfully navigate and influence senior leadership at the customer independently, effectively getting to resolution.

You’re a paradox navigator: Manage complex sales structure involving multi-layered approach including several tiers of customer interaction; Develop cross functional strategic relationships with key customer leaders.

You’re a culture & change champion: Develop a winning team for current and future performance

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO SUCCEED

Experiences & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Minimum 15 years’ experience as a Sales Leader with both field and headquarters experience (Trade/Customer Marketing/Channel Strategy experience required).  Preferred experience with Walmart, multiple channel and category experience is a plus. Ability to provide leadership and direction for “best practice” implementation.
• Preferred experience depth in Walmart omnichannel development
• Preferred experience depth for top-to-top selling and negotiations
• Preferred experience depth in Food categories (dry and frozen)
• Developing marketing plans with the objective of growing a business (Customer marketing experience is a plus). This executive should have proven experience thinking “out of the box” to develop target markets and segments using multiple channels
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to develop strategies, tactics and measurable implementation plans across many areas. Proven track record of successfully working in a complex, matrix organization
• Ability to impact and influence different areas of the organization. Experience setting and rallying different stakeholders behind the established vision.
• Create a clear view of the future state, helping others understand and feel how things will be different when this is achieved. Have a practical know-how, demonstrating results orientation while empowering and holding the team accountable for results.
• Manage through persuasion and influence rather than power. Inspire credibility. A visible mentor and coach.

Pay: The pay range for this position is $ 221,100 to $ 386,925. Unilever takes into consideration a wide range of factors that are utilized in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, qualifications and education, and other business and organizational needs.

Bonus: This position is bonus eligible.

Long-Term Incentive (LTI): This position is LTI eligible.

Benefits: Unilever employees are eligible to participate in our benefits plan. Should the employee choose to participate, they can choose from a range of benefits to include, but is not limited to, health insurance (including prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage), retirement savings benefits, life insurance and disability benefits, parental leave, sick leave, paid vacation and holidays, as well as access to numerous voluntary benefits. Any coverages for health insurance and retirement benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents

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At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. 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.

Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities.

For more information on your federal rights, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at NA.Accommodations@unilever.com. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.

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