Head of Country UFS Italy

Overview

UFS HEAD OF COUNTRY ITALY

ABOUT FOOD SOLUTIONS (UFS) We are a global Unilever business unit focused on serving chefs. Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) is the 2nd largest Business Unit of Unilever, a global market leader in Food Service operating in over 76 countries, generating ~€3bn in turnover and employing ~4000 employees. Our ambition is to reach €5bn by 2030 with accretive profitability, by being the best solution provider to our 5 million operators and leading in AI powered customer experience. We foster an entrepreneurial culture built on speed, simplicity, trust, and a deep hunger to grow. Our people learn, unlearn, and relearn to accelerate development in end-to-end roles. Italy is part of the South Europe Region with a strong growth ambition, and we are looking for a Head of Country to guide the growth of our business in the Italian market.

If you’re dreaming of contributing to Unilever’s 2nd largest Business Unit in a fast-growing environment where you are empowered to win and thrive as part of One Team with One Goal, join us.

General Purpose of the Role: This Head of Country role will have responsibility for our business in Italy and reports into the UFS South Europe & Spain Managing Director. Within our South Europe performance unit, Italy is a key country essential to the region’s success. The main purpose is to drive accelerated growth and lead transformation toward a larger, future-fit business aligned with external market trends. Your aim will be driving Italy consistently into a 50+ Mio Euro powerhouse by 2027, growing ahead of the average growth ambition and delivering a target UOM above 20%.

Responsibilities

• Lead the country operations and full P&L to achieve business goals and objectives.
• Develop and implement strategic plans to drive exceptional growth and profitability.
• Manage and oversee all end-to-end aspects of the business including sales, marketing, finance, and operations.
• Monitor and evaluate business performance, using relevant metrics (KPIs/OKRs) to drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure core business process effectiveness (S&OP, IBP, PRs, QBRs).
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, partners, and government authorities.
• Lead and evolve the business transformational agenda (CX Evolution, data analytics, data-driven decision making) and capability-building agenda (digital selling, Chefmanship, Execution Mantra).
• Identify, attract, and retain the right-profile individuals and focus on developing people, investing in their growth and the new Winning Culture Behaviors.
• Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and accountability within the team.
• Be a contributing member of the SE LT, the local UFS LT, and the Italian NMT (National Management Team).
• Ensure compliance with local regulations and company policies.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a senior leadership role including in-depth customer management knowledge and experience.
• Excellent commercial acumen, strong business development and distributor management credentials with a proven track record of delivery.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• You are a Leader of Evolution who provides safety in evolution moments, challenges for better results, and models resilience and care.
• Strong financial acumen and business management skills, including P&L management experience.
• Experience in digital selling and transforming customer relationship management. Understanding of digital technologies and their impact on ways of working.
• Acting on future-proofing talent, skills, and organizational structures to drive superior performance.
• Passion for Food Culture and the Food culture created through UFS.
• Excellent command of Italian and English.

Key Interfaces

• SE Finance manager
• SE HR business partner
• SE Marketing Lead
• SE peers (HoC)
• Supply chain (IT, UFS)
• Local Board team
• External Customers – Strategic Partners, C&C, Customers, Chefs network
• External Stakeholders – agencies and associations

Are you interested?

Please apply via this portal as e-mail applications will not be processed. By applying to this role, you are confirming that you have informed your Line Manager and that you are at a point in your career with Unilever where it is appropriate for you to be applying for other positions.

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment journey. Should you require additional information or reasonable adjustments to allow you to present your best self during this process, please contact your Talent Partner

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. If you require support or access accommodations, please advise us at the time of your application so we can support you through your recruitment journey.