UNILEVER IS HIRING

UNILEVER IS HIRING

TECHNICAL LEAD

Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

Job ID: R-1189216

Job Type: Full time

Job Category: Supply Chain

Job Details

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Join us as: Technical Lead

Function: Supply Chain

Reports to: Site Engineer

Scope: Local

Location: Phoenix Factory

Terms & Conditions: Full time, standby and call-out support as required

JOB PURPOSE

Unilever is the place where you can bring your purpose to life through the work that you do, creating a better business and a better world. If you are passionate about improving equipment performance, driving preventative maintenance, and leading focused improvement initiatives in a manufacturing environment, then this role is for you!

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Cell Maintenance Activities

• Develop and execute equipment maintenance plans with the support of the Maintenance Planner and Focused Technician.
• Analyse and repair equipment-related losses within the cell.
• Apply technical skills and expertise to ensure delivery of cell performance targets.
• Develop and maintain machine ledgers and lead the execution of activities.
• Close out actions and review EWOs and Kaizens.
• Utilise DFOS and BuildApp digital tools to measure cell performance.
• Roll out the condition monitoring programme for the cell and complete relevant reporting.
• Verify the asset register and advise the Capex Lead on equipment end-of-life.
• Engage with OEMs on health audits, resolving complex breakdowns and building capability within the cell.
• Improve AM activities such as changeovers, cleaning, lubrication and standardised start-ups.
• Follow up on rotables sent to suppliers for repairs.
• Prepare spares for planned PM activities.
• Ensure equipment literature and drawings are updated as upgrades are completed.
• Execute Capex activities within the cell, compile and follow up on punch lists until handover is complete.

2.  SHE Responsibilities

• Ensure Unilever machinery safety standards are maintained and that all legal and statutory maintenance is completed to the standards required by Unilever and applicable legislation.
• Manage safety tags.
• Represent the area of responsibility in audits and investigations.
• Utilise appropriate safety and environmental procedures for people, processes, materials, products and equipment to ensure a safe working environment for the team.
• Maintain full knowledge of the workplace and associated hazards.
  
  

3. Cost Management

• Prioritise activities to ensure budgets within the scope of responsibility are met.
• Reduce costs associated with waste and minimise the impact on health, safety and the environment through effective waste and hazardous material management.
• Ensure effective preventative maintenance standards are in place to prolong the lifespan of equipment and parts, thereby reducing costs.
• Propose and lead cost-saving projects.

4. Quality Management

• Ensure all aspects of quality within the area of responsibility are managed in accordance with local quality procedures to protect and promote the brand and product.
• Represent the area of responsibility in audits and investigations.

5. Leadership

• Take end-to-end accountability for cell performance relating to PM activities and breakdowns to achieve set OEE targets.
• Develop the technical skills and capabilities of Operators.
• Manage stores withdrawals and PRs within the set budget.
• Stand in for the Engineering Lead as and when required.
• Measure performance against standard KPIs, including MTTR, percentage of breakdowns and adherence to budget.
• Make agile decisions on cell-related performance issues.
• Coach shift artisans and mentor apprentices.
• Influence Production Managers and Engineers regarding engineering activities and strategy within the cell.
• Maintain a harmonious working environment and build a strong performance culture within the area of responsibility.

6. Area Ownership & Maintenance Delivery

• Take end-to-end ownership of assigned production and utility areas.
• Execute maintenance activities and ensure equipment, housekeeping, safety and reliability standards are maintained.
• Coordinate spares, materials, contractor services and maintenance activities required to sustain performance.
• Diagnose and resolve equipment faults using structured troubleshooting techniques.
• Support automation and control system fault resolution through collaboration with specialist service providers.
• Develop technical capability through coaching, mentoring and knowledge sharing.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• N4-N6 qualification and a valid Millwright Trade Test, with 3-5 years’ experience in a production environment within FMCG or heavy manufacturing.
• BSc /Eng –Degree or BTech degree with 5 years experience in production environment. (Preferred)

EXPERIENCE

• Completed Millwright Apprenticeship with a valid Millwright Trade Test qualification.
• Experience and knowledge of working in hazardous classified areas.
• Willingness to participate in the standby roster and provide support on weekdays, weekends and public holidays, as required.
• Willingness to work hands-on as an artisan, actively supporting maintenance, breakdowns, inspections, shutdowns and improvement activities.
• Strong ownership of assigned equipment and production areas, with the ability to proactively manage issues through to resolution.
• Strong troubleshooting and fault-finding skills across both mechanical and electrical disciplines.
• A valid driver’s licence and reliable transport to support standby and call-out requirements.

SKILLS

• SAP ERP Experience
• DFOS/Build App
• UMS/WCM/TPM/ Lean manufacturing experience
• Strong Communication skills
• Business acumen
• Presentation Skills

Unilever behaviours

• CARE DEEPLY: We care deeply about how consumers experience
  our brands every day, everywhere; about our people’s growth and development and our impact on the planet. We care about our performance, to a point where it hurts when we don’t win. ​It is not just about being nice or avoiding honest conversations about performance and opportunity.​
• FOCUS ON WHAT COUNTS: We ruthlessly prioritise what really, really matters, allowing us to do better on fewer things. We set clear and stretching goals and recognise maximum performance impact. It is not about reducing ambition or effort or running after the ‘new and shiny’.
• STAY THREE STEPS AHEAD We think boldly and creatively to make breakthroughs in performance. We are always curious and confident
  anticipating and staying ahead of consumer needs and external trends to beat the competition. It is not taking our eye off the ‘here and now’.
• DELIVER WITH EXCELLENCE: We deliver everything we do with excellence and pace. We take personal ownership and hold each other to account – always finding a way to do what we’ve said we will do. It is not about analysing the inevitable roadblocks, admiring the problem or tolerating mediocrity.

Unilever is an equal opportunities employer and committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.  We are intentional in employing the best talent that reflects the demographics of our country and which will help build representation of currently under-represented groups. We therefore invite applications from all candidates representing diversity of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief. When appointing potential candidates, the South African Employment Equity and Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Legislation will be considered.  

We are required by law to verify your ability to work lawfully in South Africa. If you are applying as a foreign national, please note that you may be requested to provide supporting documents supporting this. 

This is an office-based role in Durban (Phoenix Factory) and requires 100% of time attendance on site.

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.

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BUSINESS ADMIN SUPPORT - EXPORTS

La Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal

Job ID: R-1188280

Job Type: Full time

Job Category: Customer Development

Job Details

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Unilever is currently hiring for a Business Admin Support - Exports

Function: Customer Development

Reports to: BNLS Channel Lead

Location: Durban

Terms & Conditions: Full-time

Purpose

The Business Operations & Commercial Support role enables disciplined commercial delivery across BNLE markets (Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho & Eswatini). Working closely with the Key Account Managers who lead these markets, the role coordinates and leads critical customer and distributor processes, converts data into actionable insight, and ensures strong governance across pricing, claims, agreements, trading terms, TTS and budgets. This is a self-directed WL1 role requiring confident engagement with internal teams and senior external stakeholders, including distributor Finance Directors.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Market operations: Coordinate commercial administration across BNLE, maintaining clear priorities, action logs and timely follow through with Key Account Managers.

Governance and agreements: Maintain merchandising agreements, customer contracts, trading terms, incentives, extension letters and proof-of-export documentation, ensuring approvals, signatures, records and expiry dates are controlled.

Pricing: Coordinate price changes, deal prices, price files and customer communications; align inputs across Customer Development, Finance, Customer Service and distributors, and resolve discrepancies promptly.

Claims management: Validate, process and track pricing, stock, rebate, marketing and other customer claims through to resolution, with complete supporting documentation and clear ageing visibility.

TTS and budget control: Maintain TTS, accrual, purchase order and budget trackers; monitor commitments and actuals, flag risks early, and support accurate reconciliations, forecasting and payments with Finance.

Growth and JBP tracking: Support Joint Business Planning by consolidating targets, performance, initiatives and milestones into market growth trackers; produce regular sales, customer and execution reporting with actionable insights.

Customer and distributor enablement: Coordinate listings, pack and product information, regulatory certificates, innovation requirements, customer setup and administrative queries with Supply Chain, CSP, Master Data, AR and Debtors.

Order and service coordination: Track orders, stock availability, delivery dependencies, statements and payments, escalating risks and driving closure across internal and external teams.

Data and digital productivity: Build reliable Excel-based reporting and use Microsoft Copilot and approved AI tools to improve analysis, automate routine work, strengthen controls and accelerate decision support.

Stakeholder management: Build effective working relationships across Customer Development, Finance, Supply Chain, Marketing and distributor teams, engaging confidently with senior stakeholders while maintaining accountability and governance.

KEY SKILLS

• Commercially curious self-starter able to work independently, anticipate requirements and drive actions to closure.
• Advanced Excel capability, including lookups, pivot tables, data validation, reconciliations, dashboards and tracker design.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365, Copilot and approved AI tools, with sound judgement on accuracy, confidentiality and responsible use.
• Strong understanding of Joint Business Planning, customer investment, TTS, budgets, accruals, pricing and claims governance.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and data storytelling skills, with the ability to convert information into clear actions and business insight.
• Confident written and verbal communicator able to engage effectively with Key Account Managers, cross-functional teams and senior distributor stakeholders.
• High standards of organisation, accuracy, confidentiality, ownership and delivery against deadlines across multiple markets.
  
  

EXPERIENCES & QUALIFICATIONS

• Matric required; a relevant tertiary qualification in business, finance, commercial management or a related field is advantageous.
• Min three years’ relevant experience in customer development, category & commercial operations, finance, supply chain or business administration.
• Practical exposure to pricing, claims, trade term agreements, customer investment, reporting and category distributor operations is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple workstreams, engage senior stakeholders confidently and deliver accurate outputs with limited supervision.

LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOURS

Care deeply: caring deeply about how consumers experience our brands every day, everywhere; about our people's growth and development, and our impact on the planet. You care about your performance, to a point where it hurts when you don't win. Always brings their best self. Has emotional intelligence to take feedback, manage mood and motivations and build empathy for others. Sets high standards for themselves. Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside of Unilever.

Focus on what counts: We set clear and stretching goals and recognise maximum performance impact. Generates intensity and focus to motivate people to deliver results at speed.

Stay three steps ahead: We think boldly and creatively to make breakthroughs in performance. We are always curious and confident – anticipating and staying ahead of consumer needs and external trends to beat the competition. Approaches delivery with an iterative and incremental, test - do - learn approach. Has an owner's mindset, using data and insight to make decisions.

Deliver with excellence: We deliver everything we do with excellence and pace. We take personal ownership and hold each other to account – always finding a way to do what we said we will do. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results.

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.

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COMMERCIAL FINANCE BUSINESS PARTNER – MODERN TRADE

La Lucia, KwaZulu-Natal

Job ID: R-1188444

Job Type: Full time

Job Category: Finance

Job Details

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Unilever is currently hiring for Commercial Finance Business Partner: Modern Trade

Function: Commercial Finance Business Partner

Reports to: Finance Manager

Scope: Southern Africa

Location: Unilever Head Office, La Lucia Ridge, Durban

Terms & Conditions: Full time

ABOUT UNILEVER

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world. 

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

The Finance controlling process for the Commercial Finance (CD - Customer Development) function, is owned & continuously improved by the Finance Business partner.

JOB PURPOSE

Unilever is the place where you can bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world.  If you are able todrive CD performance management and processes (e.g. forecasting, controls) and continuously optimise information and analyticsthen this role is just for you!

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

·       Support decisions around CD promotions and work with CD Operations around accruals

·       Ensure right level of investments behind channels / categories / activities / customers 

·       Partner with CD account teams to manage performance (e.g. changes in forecast) in a standardised way across all accounts & channels, support initiatives to close gaps, intervene where required, mitigate risks and deliver opportunities (attend business review meetings by exception)

·       Communicate & manage account targets (growth & Trade Terms Spend (TTS)) 

·       Help develop customer investment plans and drive these through to implementation

·       Support with management of debtors and customer overdue’s

·       Help to resolve key issues around claims and aged deductions

·       Engage with the Order to Cash team in the Multi Country Operation to ensure transactional & balance sheet issues are resolved in an optimal way

·       Assist and intervene in CD finance controlling processes including accrual reviews, aged deduction management, preparation and posting of judgemental TTS accruals

·       Evaluate the feasibility and return on promotional plans

·       Analyse and present results on a monthly basis to relevant Business Partner teams with insight

·       Support CD operations in daily activities whenever finance expertise is required 

·       Analysis pre- and post- evaluation activities and application of learnings in future promotions, results of plan vs actual variances and establishment of learning sjointly with account teams

·       Forecasting done by category by customer

·       Drive TTS savings agenda

·       Monitoring, analysis, control and forecasting of contractual spend

·       Drive the Controls within the CDF Function

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

Experiences & Qualifications

• 3 - 5 years Commercial Finance experience (FMCG industry preferred)
• BCom Degree – Financial / Accounting
• CA or CIMA qualified

Skills

• Advanced Excel, Strong SAP & PowerPoint skills & knowledge, strong analytical & governance skills 

Leadership

• You are energized by delivering fantastic results. You are an example to others – both your results and your resilience. You are constantly on the lookout for better ways to do things, engaging and collaborating with others along the way.
• As an individual you are the one responsible for your own wellbeing and delivering high standards of work. You must also focus on the Consumer and what they need. You are humble and have your head up, looking around to interpret evidence and data smartly, spot issues and opportunities to make things better.
  
  

Unilever Behaviours

• Care Deeply: We care deeply about how consumers experience our brands every day, everywhere; about our people’s growth and development, and our impact on the planet. We care about our performance, to a point where it hurts when we don’t win.
• Focus on What Counts: We ruthlessly prioritise what truly matters, and so do fewer things brilliantly. We set clear goals & direction and recognise others for maximum impact.
• Stay Three Steps Ahead: We think boldly and creatively to make breakthroughs in performance. We are always curious and confident - anticipating and staying ahead of consumer needs and external trends, to beat the competition.
• Deliver with Excellence: We deliver excellence in what we do at pace. We take personal ownership and hold each other to account – always finding a way to do what we said we will do.

Unilever is an equal opportunities employer and committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.  We are intentional in employing the best talent that reflects the demographics of our country and which will help build representation of currently under-represented groups. We therefore invite applications from all candidates representing diversity of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief. When appointing potential candidates, the South African Employment Equity and Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Legislation will be considered.  

We are required by law to verify your ability to work lawfully in South Africa. If you are applying as a foreign national, please note that you may be requested to provide supporting documents supporting this.

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.

#LI-Onsite

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