Head of Procurement Foods North America

Unilever•Hoboken, NJ

2d•$227,700 - $398,475•Onsite

About The Position

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 passionate about making a difference in the food industry, across the globe, then this role is just for you! As the Head of Procurement, Foods North America, you will serve as the chief procurement officer and senior business partner to the General Manager of Foods North America, with strategic accountability across both the Retail and Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) channels. This represents ~800mE in material spend and 2.6 billion E in BU Turnover. This role sits at the intersection of commercial ambition and supply chain leadership, driving cost competitiveness, savings delivery, resilience, and sustainability while building the innovation and portfolio strategies that fuel long-term growth. The role carries direct influence over some of the most iconic and beloved brands in the consumer goods industry, including Hellmann's, Knorr, Maille, and Sir Kensington's.

Requirements

Team leadership for growth and high performance, fostering a collaborative environment.
Industry expertise – previous experience working with Foods or Agricultural or CPG preferred.
Deep understanding of Procurement and how to develop winning procurement strategies.
Strong business and financial acumen.
Outstanding negotiation skills.
Effective communication skills, stakeholder management, influencing capability and cross-functional collaboration.
Outstanding pioneering mindset, big picture strategic thinking with excellent execution.
Outstanding complexity management and prioritization skills, with a keen eye for the detail.
Excellent adaptation to change.
Growth mindset to adapt digital tools
Demonstrated success in implementing break-through procurement strategies.
Demonstrated ability to manage/develop/influence large teams, direct reports, peers, and stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to effectively business partner, Business Unit General Managers

Responsibilities

Lead, develop, and empower a high-performing Foods NA Procurement team, including direct management of procurement managers, driving a culture of accountability, continuous development, and commercial excellence
Serve as the chief procurement officer and strategic business partner to the General Manager of Foods North America, providing executive-level counsel on cost, margin, and supply strategy
Own end-to-end procurement strategy for all materials consumed in the manufacture of Foods NA products, accountable for cost competitiveness, savings delivery, material’s innovation development, and total cost of ownership
Develop and execute multi-year savings and value creation programs, translating macro-economic, commodity market, and geopolitical signals into actionable sourcing strategies
Drive supply chain resilience across the Foods NA portfolio through diversified supplier strategies, risk mitigation frameworks, and contingency planning
Lead portfolio and category strategy for Foods NA, aligning procurement decisions with innovation pipeline needs, product reformulation, and SKU rationalization priorities
Champion the sustainability agenda for Foods NA procurement, including regenerative agriculture, plastics reduction, and broader ESG commitments, engaging strategic suppliers on net zero and responsible sourcing
Build and manage the innovation funnel in partnership with R&D and Marketing, enabling supplier-led innovation and value chain interventions that accelerate speed-to-market
Collaborate cross-functionally with Finance, Supply Chain, and Business Units to deliver accurate cost forecasts, support pricing strategy, and inform annual operating plans
Develop future-fit supplier partnerships that enable business growth through agility, sustainability, and shared value creation
Represent Foods NA Procurement at senior leadership forums and externally with key industry partners and trade bodies