Job Overview

Account Manager – Unilever Food Solutions

Function: Customer Development

Would you like to join a workplace where you could bring your purpose to life through the work you do? Imagine creating a better business and better world by leading innovations and working with Sri Lanka’s loved brands that improve the lives of millions every day, all while learning from brilliant business leaders!

Here’s your chance to be a part of our Unilever Sri Lanka family as an Account Manager!

About our culture

Diversity is one of our most relevant pillars in people management. Our core is developing an internal environment open to the multiplicity of world views through inclusion with no stereotypes. This allows us to value our people from every ethnicity, bringing together different profiles and operating styles.

At Unilever, more than 50% of our leadership positions are held by women and we seek more diversity in our company. In this way, we consider all candidates for our vacancies, regardless of disability, race, colour, religion, gender or gender identity, nationality, sexual orientation, ancestry, age, or any other diversity.

Is this position made for you?

As an Account Manager of Unilever Food Solutions (UFS), you will be responsible for executing the UFS Customer Engagement Strategy in both online and offline mediums, liaising with operators (independent & chains), trade, cash & carry and wholesale customers to deliver business growth targets.

How would you create a better world?

You will:

• Be the primary point of contact for all trade, independent  and chain customers within your region.
• Be accountable for building & nurturing relationships across the Contact Matrix within the trade, independent and chain customer base (chefs, procurement, sales, marketing, general management, etc.) through virtual & face-to-face engagements.
• Work collaboratively with trade sales teams and Distributor Sales Representatives (DSRs).
• Engage with key chain & independent operators, trade wholesalers and cash & carry customers through virtual and face-to-face connections.
• Drive digital touchpoints amongst chefs of both visited & non visited operators.

HORECA Operators/Customers

You will:

• Build & nurture relationships with wholesalers and their teams including Distributor Sales Representatives (DSRs).
• Implement the Contact Matrix for Key trade customers (Hotels, Restaurants, Cafés, Institutions, etc.) with a ‘Squad approach’ (where possible) for more effective customer management.
• Develop and execute Joint Business Planning (JBPs) with selected trade partners through Trade Term Agreements, Sell out activities and DSRs, trade team engagement & KPIs (Sell-out, Reach, Penetration, E-com, Digital)
• Engage with business partners and customers to gain alignment for secondary sales growth.
• Closely collaborate with UFS cross functional teams, BDR’s and BDO’s and implement promotions by ensuring adequate stock availability and customer related activity to drive ‘Sell-out’.
• Ensure timely submission & settlement of distributor claims.

Independent Operators  and Local Chains

You will:

• Build and nurture relationships with key chain customers and independent operators and implement the Contact Matrix with a Triangle Model approach.
• Drive independent operator and chain customer engagement as per the defined contact strategy.
• Utilize data-driven recommendations for reach & penetration.
• Conduct virtual sampling, ideation and cooking demos using culinary knowledge to secure new opportunities and increase volume usage through applications to new and existing menus.

Digital, Data & E-com

You will:

• Be accountable for implementing and executing all UFS digital tools within the territory/area.
• Update UFS customer data regularly for more personalized campaigning.
• Drive customer digital engagement for UFS digital platforms and campaigns (UFS.com, UFS Academy, Social Media engagement, UFS webinars).
• Drive digital buyer behaviour via E-commerce platforms (Web shop/ Trade partner web shops)
• Lead a category approach for the trade web shop to drive UFS business growth by jointly campaigning with distributive trade marketing & trade teams.

Your key stakeholders include:

• Marketing – Category, Operator, Digital, E-commerce and RTM (Route-to-Market)
• Customer Development Excellence Team
• Customer Experience Team/Call Centre
• Chefs Team
• Finance Team

What’s important for you to have in this position?

• Candidates should hold a Bachelor’s degree or possess a relevant professional qualification and be passionate about a career in sales.
• Prior experience in the food industry and/ or sales related functions such as field sales, key account management or trade marketing will be an added advantage.
• Candidates must possess ‘love for food’ & chefmanship to inspire and enable a better customer service.
• Candidates must posses a valid driver’s license and be willing to travel.
• Candidates should  be good team players and demonstrate commitment to the organization and team members.
• Candidates must demonstrate clear and concise written and spoken communication skills and strong negotiation skills.
• Candidates should be able to use data-driven insights for execution and drive change and flexibility.
• Candidates must demonstrate their ability to present written information in a structured and balanced manner, appropriate to the needs of the reader.

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.

APPLY NOW!!!!