Ice Cream Asia BU Deployment Lead

JOB PURPOSE:

Are you ready to be at the heart of a transformative journey? We’re seeking a Business Unit Deployment Lead to oversee all aspects of deploying a dynamic and impactful ERP and associated applications implementation programme for our business units (Project Opus). This role is an exceptional opportunity to merge your expertise with cutting-edge technology to revolutionize our organisation’s processes and drive future growth.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Programme Oversight:

• Lead ERP and associated Day 2 applications deployment of processes, systems and data activities for all countries in your Business Unit.  

• Recruit and lead a team of Business Unit representatives fully dedicated to the project.

• Help countries understand the programme and stand up their own appropriately resourced teams locally.

• Drive and monitor deployment to the centrally agreed schedule, ensuring timely and effective implementation across the business unit.

Strategic Planning:

• Adapt globally produced deployment plans for your countries to support ERP project milestones and deliverables.

• Collaborate with cross-functional project teams (e.g. S2P, SC, R2R, O2C) and GBS partners  to ensure seamless integration and optimal performance.

• Ensure proper integration and coordination with inflight initiatives being implemented in the Business Unit.

Detailed Design – solution creation:

• Provide timely input to the global project team so that the business model requirements for your countries are understood and worked through in detailed design of global template.  

• Organise country engagement and validation in detailed design phase.

• Own the detailed design solution and drive the required process change in your countries to enable its operation in each market.

​Deploy Lifecycle Management

• Ensure the deployment phases of ERP and associated applications for your business unit are running to the global project plan across each of the project steps and manage and / or escalate deviations to the plan. 

•  This will encompass design localisation, user testing and training through to deploy, cutover and hyper care.

Compliance and Risk Management:

• Ensure local compliance (legal, fiscal and statutory) requirements are properly communicated to the global project team and that the solutions developed provide the required compliance standards.

• Identify and mitigate risks associated with the deployment process and escalate for support where required.

Performance Monitoring:

• Provide regular updates and reports on deployment progress and performance to both: global project team and Business Unit leadership team.

Stakeholder Collaboration:

• Work closely with Global Process Owners, IT, and external consultants to ensure project and future operating financials are understood and managed.

• Facilitate communication and collaboration among all Business Unit and Markets stakeholders to ensure alignment and support.

External Communications and Change Management:

• Provide leadership in transitioning operations to the new ERP environment, ways of working ensuring smooth adoption and minimal disruption.

• Work with the local teams to ensure timely and accurate updates and requests are communicated to customers, vendors and other 3rd parties with appropriate follow-up to ensure deadlines are met. 

• Raise, document, manage approval for and lead resolution of any exception to globally established standards.

QUALIFICATIONS :

• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field plus a professional qualification in project management or related areas.

• Experienced business leader with broad understanding of how Go To Market and Supply Chain processes operate across their Business Unit

• Proven track recordof a leadership role in a transformation project including systems implementation.

• Experience working internationally and with offshore service providers

Demonstrated ability to lead for change WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED: 

Technical Skills:

• Experience of operating some core country processes that use SAP ERP or Supply Chain systems 

• Ideally experience in deploying IT systems.

• Proficiency in project management tools and methodologies.

Analytical Mindset:

• Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to translate data into actionable insights.

• Ability to analyze and optimize deployment processes.

Communication :

• Excellent interpersonal and presentation skills, with the ability to engage with stakeholders at all levels.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

LEADERSHIP:  The Ice Cream Way 

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams in a high-pressure environment.

• Strong leadership and team management skills.

If these qualities resonate with you, we’d love to connect and explore how you can be part of our team.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

As publicly announced, it is envisaged that Unilever will internally separate its Ice Cream business by July 2025, at which point this role will transfer to the new Ice Cream company. It is expected that the Ice Cream business will then separate from Unilever by the end of 2025. Any impact on terms and conditions of employment will be communicated in due course. This proposal is subject to consultation where legally required.