Function: Marketing
Reports to: Head of UFS ANZ - Marketing Lead
Scope: Australia & New Zealand – Unilever Food Solutions
Location: North Rocks, Australia
Terms: Full-time
BUSINESS CONTEXT
Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) is the €2.5bn+ Foodservice division of Unilever present in 76 countries, covering 50 cuisines. We lead the dynamic Foodservice market across key categories, marketing a range of professional products and services under well-loved brands like Knorr and Hellmann’s to operators and chefs in commercial and social sectors.
We have a big ambition, to reach and service 5 million operators by 2030 with our products and solutions, accelerated by data-driven and technology-enabled Go-to-Market capabilities. The focus of UFS Marketing, Sales, Culinary & Go-to-Market teams is to engage with chefs & customers through an integrated communication ecosystem vital for a great customer experience, including virtual and F2F touchpoints via Digital, Key Account Managers and trade partners.
ROLE OVERVIEW
This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of food by leading the Brand and Portfolio roadmap and execution to accelerate growth for UFS ANZ.
The Senior Brand & Portfolio Manager is responsible for driving portfolio strategy and brand growth through effective planning, execution, and cross-functional collaboration. This role oversees brand positioning, innovation pipelines, and marketing initiatives to deliver strong business performance, with the agility to capitalise, pivot and prioritise new, bigger opportunities in key customer groups to land with speed and impact.
Key duties include leading new product development, analysing market trends and consumer insights, ensuring alignment between global and local strategies and managing budgets. The position requires strong leadership to coordinate with internal teams and external partners, optimising resources to achieve sales, profitability and market share objectives.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Brand Management & Strategic Leadership
Lead brand positioning, communication plans, and innovation pipelines, ensuring consistency of brand identity across all touchpoints.
Drive brand strategy and growth through the execution of the region marketing plan, in line with global Savoury and Dressing strategies.
Lead the development and execution of category growth strategies and roadmaps, balancing global alignment with local execution needs.
2. Portfolio Strategy & Category Management
Develop and execute portfolio strategies aligned with business objectives for Australia & New Zealand, identifying growth opportunities across brands and categories.
Provide category insights, foresights, and customer knowledge to support business planning.
Translate operator needs into relevant solutions and best-in-class product mixes.
Commission and leverage market research to uncover operator needs, validate concepts, and recommend final mixes.
3. Innovation, Activation & NPD (New Product Development)
Lead new product development initiatives from concept to launch, ensuring timely execution and compliance with regulatory standards.
Deliver OTIF (On-Time, In-Full) innovation, renovation, and high-priority activation projects from start to market deployment via gatekeeping process.
Adopt global innovations and adapt global mix, Brand Experience Toolkits, and launch activation plans for the region where in line with portfolio plans.
Use research and collaborate with Customer Development, R&D and Finance partners for business case approvals at all gates.
4. Performance Analysis & Market Insights
Monitor market trends, competitor activities, consumer insights, price movements to inform strategy and execution.
Track and report on KPIs such as market share, profitability, and ROI to ensure strong business performance.
5. Cross-Functional Leadership & Collaboration
Collaborate closely with customer development, R&D, supply chain and finance teams to drive alignment between global and local marketing strategies.
Lead and facilitate cross-functional teams to deliver projects at pace, acting as a catalyst for change and capability building.
6. Budget & Resource Management
Manage marketing budgets and optimize spend for maximum impact.
Oversee agency relationships and external partnerships to ensure effective resource utilisation and project delivery.
ALL ABOUT YOU:
Strategic thinker who can take plans from ideation through to delivery
Can articulate a vision or strategic intent to key stakeholders
Customer-centric and able to build need insights into plans
Able to work in and lead cross-functional teams at pace
A talent catalyst passionate about leading change
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
Marketing Experience – Skilled in Brand, Category, Portfolio or Channel Marketing with experience managing projects, B2B or Foodservice experience is ideal, but not a pre-requisite.
Strategic Thinking – Ability to develop and execute long-term portfolio and brand strategies.
Analytical Skills – Proficiency in interpreting market data, consumer insights, and performance metrics.
Leadership & Collaboration – Strong capability to lead cross-functional teams and manage stakeholders.
Project Management – Skilled in planning, prioritising, and delivering complex initiatives on time.
Communication & Influence – Excellent verbal and written communication to drive alignment and inspire action.
Financial Acumen – Understanding of budgeting, P&L management, and ROI optimisation.
Innovation & Creativity – Ability to identify growth opportunities and lead new product development.
Digital Marketing Knowledge – Familiarity with digital channels, e-commerce, and data-driven marketing.
WHAT AWAITS YOU AT UNILEVER?
The core of Unilever’s culture is captured as Human, Purposeful, Accountable. You will be joining a dynamic, flexible, and inspiring work environment that truly cares about your wellbeing, values what you do and celebrates your success.
This is your opportunity to be part of a purpose-led business and a global community where you can progress your career both locally and internationally. You will also benefit from amazing discounts on external company products, attractive employee referral reward program amongst other benefits.
This is a great opportunity to work within an iconic and global organization. We have gained our reputation as one of the world's most admired employers by providing an environment where individuals can achieve their goals, both professionally and personally.
Make no mistake we expect a lot from our people as they do of us. So, if you can rise to the challenge, don't waste any time - apply now!
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 [email protected].
Unilever is an organization committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities.
This means we encourage people with all backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pacific Peoples, and people with disabilities. Interested in learning more, check out our Reconciliation Action Plan and Workplace Adjustment Policy on the Unilever webpage.
At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! We encourage you to advise us at the time of your application if you require any reasonable adjustment so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.
Unilever is an organization committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities.
This means we encourage people with all backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pacific Peoples, and people with disabilities.
At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! We encourage you to advise us at the time of your application if you require any reasonable adjustment so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.
Top Skills
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.
