Function: Customer Strategy and Planning
Scope: Local
Location: Uffici di Roma
Terms & Conditions: Full-time – Permanent
Collective Labour Agreement: Food Industry (CNEL Code E012)
Salary Range: €51.200 – €70.400 gross per year
As part of a truly global organization, you’ll gain more than a career. You’ll tap into a vibrant, diverse network in a culture that cares deeply where everyone can succeed and grow. You will have the opportunity to make an impact and be eligible to the annual bonus plan, based both on business results and individual measurable contribution and performance, as well as for Annual Shares Plan, in line with the current company policy.
JOB PURPOSE
The Commercial Operations Manager is a critical leadership role within Unilever Food Solutions Italy, responsible for translating business strategy into disciplined commercial execution and delivering profitable growth across channels and customers.
Reporting directly to the UFS Head of Country, the role acts as the central orchestrator of the commercial agenda, leading end-to-end sales planning, forecasting, pricing and mix strategy, trade investment governance, promotional effectiveness, customer planning, and performance management.
The role sits within UFS leadership team, ensuring alignment between Sales, Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain and Customer Development teams while driving the execution of the PUSH agenda and enabling the successful deployment of the PULL growth model.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead the annual commercial planning process and sales execution framework.
- Own the S&OP and forecasting process, ensuring alignment between demand, supply, and commercial priorities.
- Drive Net Revenue Management across all levers, including pricing, portfolio transformation, active mix management, promotional optimization, and trade investment governance.
- Develop and implement customer and channel strategies that maximize profitable growth and return on investment.
- Leverage sell-out insights to shape customer strategies, optimize promotional activities, and drive sustainable profitable growth.
- Lead commercial performance reviews, identifying growth opportunities, fostering ownership, and ensuring accountability for results.
- Enable the sales organization through advanced analytics, performance dashboards, business insights, and decision-support tools.
- Govern commercial investments to ensure disciplined execution and optimal allocation of resources.
- Drive cross-functional alignment to guarantee flawless execution of business priorities and accelerate growth.
- Support innovation and renovation programs through strong commercial activation and execution excellence.
- Build capabilities and processes that improve commercial effectiveness, route-to-market performance, and customer profitability.
KEY REQUIREMENTS
- Minimum 5 years in Net Revenue Management (NRM) and Trade Marketing Investment (TMI) within the FMCG industry.
- Demonstrated experience in forecasting, commercial planning and execution.
- Data-driven mindset and strong analytical skills (in Power BI, Microsoft Excel), with the ability to translate data into actionable route-to-market recommendations.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence, collaborate with, and manage diverse stakeholders and customers.
- Interest in the Food industry.
- Results-oriented mindset combined with a collaborative and inclusive approach.
- Fluency in Italian and English.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Foods, Beverages or Out of Home experience.
- Exposure to sales or distribution channels.
- The ability to use AI or analytical programming.
- International educational or professional experience.
- Degree in Business, Economics, Finance, Marketing, or a related field.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Benefits (in line with the current company policy):
- Smart working
- Company Canteen
- Health and Life insurance
- Digital Learning Academy
- Company shop & discounts
- Mental & Physical wellbeing programs
- Enhanced parental leave
Tools:
- PC
Limited travel to customers foreseen by the role.
The compensation package and contractual level will be defined based on the candidate’s experience, technical skills, and seniority, as well as in alignment with internal equity principles.
If you’d like to learn more about our benefits and policies, further details will be provided by Unilever’s Talent Acquisition team!
Please submit your application in English.
Unilever is an organisation 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. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.
Skills Required
- Minimum 5 years in Net Revenue Management (NRM) and Trade Marketing Investment (TMI) within the FMCG industry
- Demonstrated experience in forecasting, commercial planning and execution
- Data-driven mindset and strong analytical skills (Power BI, Microsoft Excel)
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence, collaborate with, and manage diverse stakeholders and customers
- Fluency in Italian and English
- Interest in the Food industry
- Results-oriented mindset combined with a collaborative and inclusive approach
- Foods, Beverages or Out of Home experience
- Exposure to sales or distribution channels
- Ability to use AI or analytical programming
- International educational or professional experience
- Degree in Business, Economics, Finance, Marketing, or a related field
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.
