About Unilever Food Solutions (UFS)
Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) is a global food service business serving professional kitchens, chefs and food service operators in 76 countries worldwide.
UFS operates as a dedicated food service unit within Unilever, with a strong focus on chefs, field sales and close customer partnerships in a pure B2B environment. What makes UFS unique is its entrepreneurial mindset, strong execution focus and deep expertise in the professional food service channel.
At UFS, people are encouraged to think like owners, test new ideas, learn fast and grow with the business. We believe strong results come from speed, simplicity and trust, combined with a deep passion for food and the people we serve.
About the role
This role will lead end-to-end business strategy with the full P&L responsibility for Food Solutions DACH. The role will be responsible for both strategic and operational agenda, overseeing and guiding operations and ensuring its continued success and sustainable growth. This role requires a strong background in leadership and strategic planning, with a focus on driving growth and profitability in Food solutions DACH to deliver a sustainable high performance.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIESBe UFS PU lead of DACH & the Head of Country for Germany
Translate global and regional priorities into clear local execution plans
Fully owns in-year P&L and performance of Germany and DACH
Leads integrated sales, demand and supply planning across the DACH region as well as business transformational agenda to embed future-proof business capabilities for DACH.
Develops and executes long-term UFS DACH business strategy to ensure sustainable and profitable growth.
Acts as the guardian of culture, showing full ownership of the people agenda; Build talent and capabilities, build a performance culture to drive for high growth business.
Identifying, attracting, and retaining the right profiled individuals and focuses on developing people through personally invests in their growth for DACH
Clear prioritization and resource allocations for all DACH initiatives
Identify new growth opportunities and corrective measures to optimize business performance.
Provide leadership and guidance and ensure alignment with organizational goals.
Leverage Digital as an enabler of future reach and penetration
15+ years of leadership experience, ideally in B2B, food service, FMCG or hospitality
Proven track record in general management, commercial leadership or managing director roles
Experience managing complex, multi-country businesses
Strong understanding of sales, marketing, operations and P&L management
Experience leading business transformation and growth initiatives
Fluent German and strong English skills
Passion for food, customers and the food service industry
KEY SKILLS
Commercial & business acumen: from an outside-in perspective, deep understanding of the industry you are in, knowing the competitive environment, clear vision about the company. Proven ability to drive growth and profitability in a competitive market.
Pattern Recognition & Systemic Thinking: ability to see and understand linkages and interactions beyond silos, to anticipate and pull together the right actions and interventions, through end-to-end thinking, in support of business growth
Adaptability & Resilience: personal capacity to test, reflect, and change to succeed. Manages within the paradoxes. Especially facing challenges and changes from outside/inside, still hold strong belief in what should do and persistent to do the right things.
Strong Judgement and Decision Maker: Ability to make objective and accurate judgments through rational analysis and grasp the key points. At the same time, accurately weigh various factors when faced with a choice, and ultimately make the best decision, weigh the pros and cons, anticipate risks, and be willing to bear the consequences.
Performance Coaching & Casting: ability to challenge, stretch and coach others, demonstrates strong EQ to become the objective and trusted partner of the teams/leadership they support, to drive superior performance. Builds deep knowledge of talent and their development needs
Digital & tech savvy thinks digital first. True understanding of digital technologies –physical, social & emerging – their capabilities and how they may evolve. Ability to see practical application, identifying and working with the right partners to make it happen. Thinks iteratively and creates learning loops to ensure it remains relevant, evolves, drives adoption and lands with impact.
Food Culture: the candidates must understand and be passionate about Food and the Food culture that we are creating through UFS.
Lateral teamwork: the incumbent also needs to be able to deliver through others, working closely and effectively with Unilever share service, supply chains, R&D, Factory, Operators, suppliers, and partners.
Lead a large, high-impact Food Service business in one of Europe’s key regions
Full ownership, visibility and influence at senior leadership level
Opportunity to shape the future of a growing, entrepreneurial B2B business
International environment with strong development and growth opportunities
Flexible working hours
30 days of vacation and 30 days of annual leave plus additional paid days off on December 24 and December 31
Interesting training programs and 24/7 access to our learning platform
On-site café offering snacks, lunch options, and specialty coffees at reduced prices
Public transport support: monthly subsidy for the Germany Ticket
Subsidized company bike (depending on employment type)
E-GYM/Wellpass membership with a personal contribution
Optional manager medical check-up and access to a 24/7 employee assistance and counseling service
Company pension scheme
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.
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.
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