Associate Manager Innovation

Unilever • Hoboken, NJ

1d

About The Position

Background & Purpose of the Job Responsible for driving supplier operational results and proactively accelerating timelines in skin care innovations and renovations. Deliver measurable business impact through creative problem-solving, and strategic supplier management. Fully understand the supplier relationship structure, including established linkages between Procurement Operations and internal/external customers. Responsible for supporting R&D in packaging exploration, while keeping costs within target and supply continuity in mind Manage the key procurement related IPT tasks for category innovations & renovations. Collaborate with R&D, Planning, Brand, Artwork, Quality, Global Category Procurement, and the external supply base. Owns the coordination of flawless execution of material flow from supplier base to manufacturing, on time and in full, lead and solve material escalations as needed, drive alignment between R&D, planning, and the supplier in material escalations and alternate approvals. Risk assess all new materials and provide voice and proposed action plans on all potential risks to supply continuity in the future on innovation. Closely liaises with other parts of procurement within North America and Globally. Develops technical understanding of production of key pack and raw materials. Who You Are & What You’ll Do You’re a proactive leader: Accelerate timelines and drive end-to-end supplier readiness for innovation launches. Anticipate and resolve material challenges, ensuring on-time, in-full delivery even under pressure. Champion creative solutions and rapid escalations to protect business results. You’re a change maker: Listen to your stakeholders needs and provide workable solutions in line with corporate objectives. Drive improvements in service and quality processes with both the supplier and plants. You’re a culture & change champion: Build strong, trust-based relationships with suppliers and cross-functional partners. Foster a culture of positive tension—balancing empathy with performance—to achieve ambitious goals. You’re a dot connector: Orchestrate seamless alignment between R&D, Planning, Brand, Artwork, Quality, and suppliers. Lead cross-functional teams to solve complex problems, accelerate launches, and ensure flawless execution from concept to shelf. You love to win, and have fun doing it: Deliver measurable business impact—securing NSV, advancing timelines, and driving market-leading innovations. Celebrate wins, share learnings, and continuously develop technical and industry expertise to stay ahead in the dynamic world of skin care procurement.

Requirements

• Business or Technical degree required with 2-3 years general business experience in any function (Logistics/Operations/Manufacturing/Supply Management/Planning)
• Ability to balance conflicting priorities to ensure projects are delivered within agreed timelines
• Understanding of tactical and strategic business objectives
• Experience and working knowledge with Excel and Powerpoint

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Ariba, SAP and PLM preferred

Responsibilities

• Driving supplier operational results and proactively accelerating timelines in skin care innovations and renovations.
• Delivering measurable business impact through creative problem-solving, and strategic supplier management.
• Supporting R&D in packaging exploration, while keeping costs within target and supply continuity in mind
• Managing the key procurement related IPT tasks for category innovations & renovations.
• Collaborating with R&D, Planning, Brand, Artwork, Quality, Global Category Procurement, and the external supply base.
• Owning the coordination of flawless execution of material flow from supplier base to manufacturing, on time and in full, lead and solve material escalations as needed, drive alignment between R&D, planning, and the supplier in material escalations and alternate approvals.
• Risk assessing all new materials and provide voice and proposed action plans on all potential risks to supply continuity in the future on innovation.
• Closely liaising with other parts of procurement within North America and Globally.
• Developing technical understanding of production of key pack and raw materials.
• Accelerating timelines and drive end-to-end supplier readiness for innovation launches.
• Anticipating and resolving material challenges, ensuring on-time, in-full delivery even under pressure.
• Championing creative solutions and rapid escalations to protect business results.
• Listening to your stakeholders needs and provide workable solutions in line with corporate objectives.
• Driving improvements in service and quality processes with both the supplier and plants.
• Building strong, trust-based relationships with suppliers and cross-functional partners.
• Fostering a culture of positive tension—balancing empathy with performance—to achieve ambitious goals.
• Orchestrating seamless alignment between R&D, Planning, Brand, Artwork, Quality, and suppliers.
• Leading cross-functional teams to solve complex problems, accelerate launches, and ensure flawless execution from concept to shelf.
• Delivering measurable business impact—securing NSV, advancing timelines, and driving market-leading innovations.
• Celebrating wins, share learnings, and continuously develop technical and industry expertise to stay ahead in the dynamic world of skin care procurement.

Benefits

• Bonus: This position is bonus eligible.
• Long-Term Incentive (LTI): This position is LTI eligible.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level