IC Assistant Global CMI Innovation

Note: Deadline for applying is 23.59 the day before the Job Posting End Date.

UNILEVER IS LOOKING FOR AN IC Assistant Global CMI Innovation

Scope: Global

Reports to: CMI Ice Cream Category Development and Innovation Lead

Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Terms & Conditions: Full- time Local Terms   

For the recruitment of this position, we would like to emphasize that local conditions apply to the position and for this vacancy in principle we will consider candidates based in the set locations. If you are based outside of these locations and you are interested to apply, please feel free to do so but at this stage we will not take your application forward. We will only consider your application if a decision is made to also recruit outside of the set locations.

The Ice Cream division at Unilever is preparing to stand on its own, aiming to become an independent, EUR 8.3 billion publicly listed company by the end of 2025. We’re on a mission to create the ultimate snacking company.​ A place where growth, innovation, founder and ownership mentality, and performance are cultivated and rewarded. And where we craft extraordinary ice cream experiences - transforming ordinary moments into lasting memories.​ Because we know, life tastes better with ice cream.​

The Magnum Ice Cream Company is all about growth. Growing our business. Growing our customers’ businesses. Growing our people’s careers.​ Growth begins with empowerment. So we free our people to be innovative, responsible entrepreneurs, driven and equipped to give our consumers more amazing products and unforgettable moments – and having fun doing it.​  

With 19.000 expert ice cream colleagues and iconic brands like Wall’s, Cornetto and Ben & Jerry’s, loved in 76 countries, we are the world’s largest Ice Cream company leading the industry.  We have been taking pleasure seriously for more than 100 years, serving happiness with every lick or scoop of ice cream for generations.  

We are investing to unlock the full growth potential of The Magnum Ice Cream Company as a standalone entity, once we separate from Unilever, which is planned to happen before the end of 2025.  

We dream big but keep things simple to act fast.​ 

If you want to grow with us, make an impact, and shape the future of Ice Cream, this is the place for you! 

ABOUT THE ROLE:

As Assistant Global CMI Innovation Manager, you will play a key role in supporting the Global CMI Innovation Lead in delivering consumer-centric strategies that power breakthrough innovations across Unilever’s Ice Cream portfolio. Working in close partnership with regional and cross-functional teams, you’ll turn deep consumer understanding, trend intelligence, and market data into actionable insights that inspire and shape the future of our global innovation agenda.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contribute to the landing of global innovation strategies across markets and cross-functional teams—through initiatives such as demand spaces, occasion mapping, trend scouting, whitespace identification, and innovation performance tracking.

• Leverage a wide range of data sources—including syndicated data (Nielsen, IRI, Kantar), consumer panels, brand equity tracking, and ad-hoc qualitative research—to uncover insights that directly inform innovation and drive growth.

• Monitor and analyze innovation performance, providing recommendations on what to amplify, pivot, or discontinue based on consumer and business impact.

• Translate trends and emerging signals into opportunity platforms, helping shape pipeline priorities and long-term portfolio strategy.

• Collaborate with internal teams and external agencies to design, execute, and synthesize research projects—from brief through to consumer stories and actionable recommendations

• Support the development and delivery of insight-fueled, trend-led innovations, ensuring relevance for both near-term activation and longer-term growth.

• Continuously gather and integrate the voice of the consumer along with the news from the market and competitors to ensure competitive intelligence is also a core part of our strategy

• Adopt agile ways of working, balancing strategic depth with speed to keep up with fast-moving market demands.

SKILLS/EXPERIENCE & MINDSET:

• Minimum 3 years of experience in Marketing, Market Research, or Consumer & Market Insights, with at least 2 years in FMCG or a related consumer goods sector (e.g., food, beverage, retail, personal care).

• Proven experience working with both quantitative and qualitative research methods, including syndicated data (e.g., Nielsen, IRI, Kantar), consumer panels, brand tracking, U&A, concept tests, and ad-hoc qualitative research—with a strong focus on deriving clear, actionable insights

• Demonstrated ability to contribute to cross-functional projects (e.g., innovation/market performance analyses, workshop plannings, portfolio strategy sessions) that result in measurable business outcomes.

• Strong capability to co-create and shape ideas, using a mix of creativity, trend intelligence, and outside-in inspiration techniques to spark innovation ideas

• Practical experience turning data from consumer panels, social listening tools, brand equity trackers, and demand space mapping into strategic narratives for innovation

• Familiarity with digital insight and analytics tools such as Google Analytics, Meta Audience Insights, Google Trends. Experience with Gen AI tools for faster, smarter insight generation is a plus.

• A naturally consumer-obsessed mindset, with a strong ability to empathize with consumer behaviors, emotional needs, and daily lives

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:

• You’ll be central to shaping Unilever’s Ice Cream innovation pipeline by embedding consumer insight into the heart of every stage—ensuring the consumer truly drives innovation.

• You’ll gain exposure to global platforms, accelerate your analytic and strategic thinking, and grow into a pivotal role within CMI and Innovation teams.

• A unique mix of global scale & start-up spirit—€8.3bn powerhouse with an agile, entrepreneurial mindset. We’re building a new high growth Ice Cream company from the ground up. ​

• Career without limits—42 markets, international opportunities, and fast tracked growth. ​

• A performance-driven culture—Freedom to act, disrupt and grow – your success is measured by impact.​

• A company that celebrates joy, innovation, and purpose—We create extraordinary careers, just like our ice cream creates extraordinary moments.

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?

Unilever is the place where you can be yourself and bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. We offer an exciting & dynamic work environment where you can make things happen. Furthermore, we offer some great reward and benefits!   

• Attractive total remuneration package; excellent company pension, bonus and share scheme.  

• Flexible cross-disciplinary career opportunities and a wealth of training opportunities & wellbeing resources whenever and wherever.   

• Plenty of company-paid holidays to further ensure your work-life balance is maintained.   

• We encourage an inclusive culture, which comes to life with interchangeable public holidays, paid paternity leave of 6 weeks and our transgender policy.   

• Under the Hybrid Working principles, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 40% in the office or at customers, suppliers or partners to connect and collaborate.  For the time you work from home, we will ensure you are well equipped. When you are at the office, you can enjoy our tasty canteen with prepped food and own products. 

• Informal culture and being the first one trying our new products.    

• My Fitness Plan (reduction on your Fitness Subscription).  

• Home work allowance 

• Company laptop and mobile phone 

• Green Mobility Policy 

EXCITED?

Join Unilever and our team! To apply, you must do so online. Please do not forget to upload your CV and a motivation letter.  Your application will be reviewed against our requirements, and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date to provide you with an update on the status of your application.  

Looking forward to meeting you!    

Please note this is a Direct Search led by Unilever. Applications from agencies will not be accepted, nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs.   

Equal Opportunity Employer: Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, parenthood, pregnancy or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against.

By highlighting the gender diversity at the workplace, Unilever encourages women equally men to apply. If you look for a job after a long career break or after any type of leave, do not hesitate to apply.

NOTE: Please save a copy of this vacancy for personal use as it will disappear from the website after closing of the role.