Earlier this year, Unilever announced an agreement to combine its Foods business with McCormick & Company, creating a scaled global flavor powerhouse. The proposed combination would bring together iconic Foods brands, including Hellmann’s and Knorr, with McCormick’s portfolio to create a global leader across spices, seasonings, condiments and complementary food categories, supported by strong retail and foodservice platforms. McCormick brings more than 135 years of heritage, a presence in 150+ countries and territories, and a portfolio of trusted brands. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, with completion estimated for mid-2027.
JOB PURPOSE
This role exists to own end-to-end Media and Marketing procurement for North America, managing €250+ million in spend and translating business, brand, consumer and channel priorities into integrated portfolio, sourcing and supplier plans. The role develops and executes multi-year regional strategies aligned with global direction across media, creative, agencies and related marketing services, applying scale where it creates value while responding to brand and market needs. Working with Marketing, Media, Brand teams, Finance, Legal, Business Groups, markets and strategic suppliers, the role enables growth, marketing effectiveness, value protection, responsible sourcing, social sustainability, digital enablement and disciplined regional transformation.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead, develop and empower the North America Media & Marketing Procurement team of two FTEs, including this Manager role, with one Assistant Manager reporting directly, responsible for approximately €250+ million managed spend.
- Own end-to-end Media and Marketing procurement for North America, translating business, brand, consumer and channel priorities into integrated portfolio, sourcing and supplier plans.
- Develop and execute multi-year regional strategies aligned with global direction across media, creative, agencies and related marketing services.
- Lead complex sourcing, negotiation and contracting with agencies, media owners, platforms and marketing-service providers, establishing transparent commercial models, governance and risk controls.
- Build strategic supplier partnerships and joint growth roadmaps, managing performance across effectiveness, value, innovation, service, diversity, responsible sourcing and compliance.
- Partner with Marketing, Media, Brand teams, Finance, Legal, Business Groups and markets to shape operating models and commercial approaches that enable growth and protect value.
- Lead regional transformation priorities, including digital and retail media, technology-enabled sourcing, analytics, automation, agency-model evolution and simplified ways of working.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- University degree in Procurement, Business, Marketing, Finance or a related discipline, with 5+ years of procurement experience in Media, Marketing, Creative, Agency or related indirect categories.
- Strong strategic-sourcing, negotiation and contracting capability across agencies, media partners, platforms and marketing-services suppliers.
- Strong understanding of media and marketing supply markets, agency economics, value chains and FMCG business models.
- Proven supplier-relationship, performance and risk-management experience, including value, effectiveness, service, innovation, responsible sourcing and compliance.
- Demonstrated success leading regional media and marketing procurement strategies and programs across multiple markets, with experience operating at comparable spend and organizational scale.
- Strong financial, business, stakeholder engagement, communication, storytelling and influencing capability, with fluent written and spoken English.
- Enterprise leadership mindset, with the ability to set clear priorities, lead through ambiguity and media-market change, balance strategic thinking with execution, build trusted senior stakeholder relationships and develop the Assistant Manager while contributing to broader procurement capability development.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Exposure to digital media, retail media, marketing technology or technology-enabled sourcing.
- Experience supporting cross-functional sourcing, operating-model, digital-enablement or change programs.
- Experience using benchmarks, data or external intelligence to improve marketing effectiveness, supplier performance or portfolio decisions.
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.
We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment journey. Should you require additional information or reasonable adjustments to allow you to present your best self during this process, please contact your Talent Partner.
------------------------------------
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 [email protected]. 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.
Skills Required
- University degree in Procurement, Business, Marketing, Finance, or a related discipline
- 5+ years of procurement experience in Media, Marketing, Creative, Agency, or related indirect categories
- Strategic sourcing, negotiation, and contracting experience across agencies, media partners, platforms, and marketing-services suppliers
- Strong understanding of media and marketing supply markets, agency economics, value chains, and FMCG business models
- Supplier relationship, performance, and risk-management experience
- Experience managing value, effectiveness, service, innovation, responsible sourcing, and compliance
- Experience leading regional media and marketing procurement strategies and programs across multiple markets
- Experience operating at comparable spend and organizational scale
- Strong financial, business, stakeholder engagement, communication, storytelling, and influencing skills
- Fluent written and spoken English
- Enterprise leadership mindset with ability to set priorities, lead through ambiguity, build senior stakeholder relationships, and develop an Assistant Manager
- Exposure to digital media, retail media, marketing technology, or technology-enabled sourcing
- Experience supporting cross-functional sourcing, operating-model, digital-enablement, or change programs
- Experience using benchmarks, data, or external intelligence to improve marketing effectiveness, supplier performance, or portfolio decisions
Unilever Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Unilever and has not been reviewed or approved by Unilever.
-
Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is described as comprehensive, spanning medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and occupational health support alongside a 24/7 employee assistance program. Wellbeing offerings such as health checks, resilience tools, and counseling support the perceived depth of health-related benefits.
-
Retirement Support — Retirement support includes a 401(k) match that reaches up to 5% of base salary, strengthening the overall value of the package. Share and savings options are also referenced as part of longer-term financial support beyond salary.
-
Flexible Benefits — Benefits customization is enabled through tools such as a “My Reward” system and a “Benefits Envelope” that allows employees to personalize selections. Flexible working approaches are also associated with improved overall satisfaction, reinforcing perceived choice and adaptability in the total rewards offering.
Unilever Insights
What We Do
Be part of the world’s most successful, purpose-led business. Work with brands that are well-loved around the world, that improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We promote innovation, big and small, to make our business win and grow; and we believe in business as a force for good. Unleash your curiosity, challenge ideas and disrupt processes; use your energy to make this happen. Our brilliant business leaders and colleagues provide mentorship and inspiration, so you can be at your best. Our portfolio ranges from nutritionally balanced foods to indulgent ice creams, affordable soaps, luxurious shampoos and everyday household care products. We produce world-leading brands including Lipton, Knorr, Dove, Axe, Hellmann’s and Omo, alongside trusted local names and innovative-forward thinking brands like Ben & Jerry’s, The Dollar Shave Club and Dermalogica. Every individual here can bring their purpose to life through their work. Join us and you’ll be surrounded by inspiring leaders and supportive peers. Among them, you’ll channel your purpose, bring fresh ideas to the table, and simply be you. As you work to make a real impact on the business and the world, we’ll work to help you become a better you.
