UFS Category & Sales Operations Manager

Earlier this year, Unilever announced an agreement to combine its Foods business with McCormick & Company, creating a scaled global flavour powerhouse. The proposed combination would bring together iconic Foods brands, including Hellmann’s and Knorr, with McCormick’s portfolio to create a global leader across spices, seasonings, condiments and complementary food categories, supported by strong retail and foodservice platforms. McCormick brings more than 135 years of heritage, a presence in 150+ countries and territories, and a portfolio of trusted brands. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, with completion estimated for mid-2027.

Function : Customer Strategy and Planning

Scope : Local

Location : Uffici di Roma

Terms & Conditions : Full-time – Permanent

Collective Labour Agreement : Food Industry (CNEL Code E012)

Salary Range : €51.200 – €70.400 gross per year

As part of a truly global organisation, you’ll gain more than a career. You’ll tap into a vibrant, diverse network in a culture that cares deeply where everyone can succeed and grow. You will have the opportunity to make an impact and be eligible for the bonus plan, based both on business results and individual measurable contribution and performance, as well as for the long-term incentives, in line with the current company policy.

Job Purpose

The Category & Sales Operations Manager is a critical leadership role within Unilever Food Solutions Italy, responsible for translating business strategy into disciplined commercial execution and delivering profitable growth across channels and customers.

Reporting directly to the UFS Head of Country, the role acts as the central orchestrator of the commercial agenda, leading end-to-end sales planning, forecasting, pricing and mix strategy, trade investment governance, promotional effectiveness, customer planning, and performance management.

The role sits within UFS leadership team, ensuring alignment between Sales, Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain and Customer Development teams while driving the execution of the PUSH agenda and enabling the successful deployment of the PULL growth model.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the annual commercial planning process and sales execution framework.
• Own the S&OP and forecasting process, ensuring alignment between demand, supply, and commercial priorities.
• Drive Net Revenue Management across all levers, including pricing, portfolio transformation, active mix management, promotional optimization, and trade investment governance.
• Develop and implement customer and channel strategies that maximize profitable growth and return on investment.
• Leverage sell-out insights to shape customer strategies, optimize promotional activities, and drive sustainable profitable growth.
• Lead commercial performance reviews, identifying growth opportunities, fostering ownership, and ensuring accountability for results.
• Enable the sales organization through advanced analytics, performance dashboards, business insights, and decision-support tools.
• Govern commercial investments to ensure disciplined execution and optimal allocation of resources.
• Drive cross-functional alignment to guarantee flawless execution of business priorities and accelerate growth.
• Support innovation and renovation programs through strong commercial activation and execution excellence.
• Build capabilities and processes that improve commercial effectiveness, route-to-market performance, and customer profitability.

Key Requirements

• Minimum 3-5 years in Net Revenue Management (NRM), Trade Marketing Investment (TMI) and Sales within the FMCG industry.
• Demonstrated experience in forecasting, commercial planning and execution, with a strong focus on contract and pricing management.
• Data-driven mindset, strong story-telling and analytical skills (in Power BI, Microsoft Excel), with the ability to translate data into actionable route-to-market recommendations.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence, collaborate with, and manage diverse stakeholders and customers.
• Interest in the Food industry.
• Results-oriented mindset combined with a collaborative and inclusive approach.
• Fluency in Italian and English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Foods, Beverages or Out of Home experience.
• Exposure to sales or distribution channels.
• The ability to use AI or analytical programming.
• International educational or professional experience.
• Degree in Business, Economics, Finance, Marketing, or a related field.

Additional Information

Benefits (in line with the current company policy):

• Smart working
• Company Canteen
• Health and Life insurance
• Digital Learning Academy
• Company shop & discounts
• Mental & Physical wellbeing programs
• Enhanced parental leave

Tools

• PC

Limited travel to customers foreseen by the role.

The compensation package and contractual level will be defined based on the candidate’s experience, technical skills, and seniority, as well as in alignment with internal equity principles.

If you’d like to learn more about our benefits and policies, further details will be provided by Unilever’s Talent Acquisition team!

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.