Job Purpose
The Senior Planning Operations Manager is responsible for leading supply planning operations and managing strategic relationships with third-party contract manufacturers (co-packers) across the Beauty & Wellbeing portfolio. This role ensures supply continuity, capacity availability, inventory optimization, and successful execution of innovation and portfolio transitions while balancing service, cost, and operational efficiency.
Serving as the primary planning partner to the contract manufacturing network, this leader works cross-functionally with Integrated Planning, Innovation, Procurement, Operations, and external manufacturing partners to develop and execute production plans that support business growth and customer service objectives.
Reporting to the Head of Integrated Planning, this role also provides strategic oversight and direction to planning execution teams, ensuring alignment between long-term supply strategies and day-to-day operational execution.
Key Responsibilities
Contract Manufacturer (Co-Packer) Relationship Management
- Serve as the primary planning contact for third-party manufacturing partners.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with co-packers to ensure consistent service, capacity, and operational performance.
- Lead regular business reviews and performance discussions with manufacturing partners.
- Drive alignment on production schedules, inventory strategies, capacity requirements, and supply risks.
- Partner with Procurement, Operations, and Manufacturing teams to resolve constraints and improve network performance.
- Facilitate decision-making on trade-offs impacting service, growth, inventory, and manufacturing efficiency.
Supply Planning & Operations Leadership
- Develop and manage supply plans that support customer service, inventory, and financial objectives.
- Translate commercial, innovation, and demand plans into executable supply strategies.
- Oversee production planning, run strategies, and inventory management across the contract manufacturing network.
- Monitor supply performance and proactively identify risks to service, capacity, or inventory targets.
- Lead mitigation strategies to address supply disruptions, demand volatility, and operational constraints.
- Ensure successful execution of new product launches, portfolio transitions, and SKU rationalization initiatives.
Capacity & Network Planning
- Lead Rough Cut Capacity Planning processes across the contract manufacturing network.
- Assess medium- and long-term capacity requirements and identify potential constraints.
- Collaborate with manufacturing partners and internal stakeholders to develop solutions that support growth and service objectives.
- Optimize production schedules and network utilization while balancing cost and operational efficiency.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Demand Planning, Integrated Planning, Innovation, Procurement, Customer Operations, and Manufacturing teams to ensure alignment on supply priorities.
- Provide leadership and direction to planning execution teams and external planning partners.
- Communicate supply risks, opportunities, and recommended actions to senior stakeholders.
- Support continuous improvement and standardization of planning processes across the network.
Performance Management & Continuous Improvement
- Track and improve key supply chain performance metrics including service, inventory, capacity utilization, and waste reduction.
- Drive operational excellence initiatives with contract manufacturers and internal teams.
- Utilize planning systems, analytics, and reporting tools to improve decision-making and supply visibility.
- Champion digital tools, process improvements, and best practices across the planning organization.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Operations, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
- 7+ years of experience in Supply Chain, Supply Planning, Operations, Manufacturing, or related functions.
- Experience managing external manufacturing partners, co-packers, or contract manufacturing networks.
- Proven ability to lead complex cross-functional initiatives and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
Pay: The pay range for this position is $119,400 to $179,000. 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 [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
- Bachelor's degree in supply chain, operations, engineering, business, or related field
- 7+ years experience in supply chain, supply planning, operations, manufacturing, or related functions
- Experience managing external manufacturing partners, co-packers, or contract manufacturing networks
- Proven ability to lead complex cross-functional initiatives and influence stakeholders without direct authority
- Experience with capacity planning, production planning, inventory management, and new product launch execution
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
