VMO Contract & Commercial manager - COMEX

JOB TITLE: VMO Contract & Commercial Manager - COMEX

LOCATION: Bangalore

ABOUT UNILEVER:

Be part of the world’s most successful, purpose-led business. Work with brands that are well-loved around the world, that improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We promote innovation, big and small, to make our business win and grow; and we believe in business as a force for good. Unleash your curiosity, challenge ideas and disrupt processes; use your energy to make this happen. Our brilliant business leaders and colleagues provide mentorship and inspiration, so you can be at your best. Every day, nine out of ten Indian households use our products to feel good, look good and get more out of life – giving us a unique opportunity to build a brighter future.

Every individual here can bring their purpose to life through their work. Join us and you’ll be surrounded by inspiring leaders and supportive peers. Among them, you’ll channel your purpose, bring fresh ideas to the table, and simply be you. As you work to make a real impact on the business and the world, we’ll work to help you become a better you.

ABOUT UNIOPS:

Unilever Operations (UniOps) is the global technology and operations engine of Unilever offering business services, technology, and enterprise solutions. UniOps serves over 190 locations and through a network of specialized service lines and partners delivers insights and innovations, user experiences and end-to-end seamless delivery making Unilever Purpose Led and Future Fit.

The UniOps organisation provides the resilient digital platform for the Unilever business. UniOps spends more than €1B each year with external vendors, and the quality and value of vendor services are critical to the success of Unilever.

About the role
Lead the Vendor Management Office (VMO) Business Services Commercial Experience (COMEX) team, collaborating closely with Procurement and key business partners including Service Lines to deliver strategic initiatives to increase value and optimise spend across Unilever’s current and future Finance, Supply Chain, Commercial Experience, and business process supplier landscape.
 

The UniOps organisation provides the resilient digital platform for the Unilever business. UniOps spends more than €1B each year with external vendors, and the quality and value of vendor services are critical to the success of Unilever. 

The Vendor Management Office (VMO) is a new agile, cross-functional organisation that will transform the way that UniOps manages suppliers and the value we gain from our supplier spend. The VMO will:

• Coordinate the change to a new proactive operating model, building collaboration across functions to maximize value from our supplier spend.
• Be the engine that amplifies delivery of value from a new Collaborative Procurement Model that plans supplier decisions much further ahead, across whole areas of spend rather than individual contracts, and ensures best alignment with our business strategies.
• Assure the performance and compliance of suppliers and will ensure that we have the right data to deliver ever more value year on year.
• Provide end-to-end orchestration, and governance of vendor management activities across UniOps.

Objective

Closely partner with the Procurement organisation and UniOps Commercial Experience Service Line (COMEX) to ensure alignment of business strategy to sourcing and supplier strategies across the portfolio, with Business Services needs consistently prioritized and mapped to the most effective vendor services.

Lead execution of the robust and proactive VMO governance for Business Services portfolio programs/projects, with resources prioritised against highest value activities.

Lead a team of commercial/contract managers ensuring clear and consistent visibility over vendor obligations and compliance across the contract lifecycle.

Fully leverage UniOps data & analytics resources to inform and improve Business Services operational & strategic activities.

Partner with Procurement to develop mature and strategic vendor relationships to maximize sustained value and innovation for Unilever.

Key Accountabilities

• Working collaboratively with MBS Business Services Procurement (COMEX) Portfolio Leads, support End-to-end vendor management strategy execution including governance and program management for COMEX initiatives, ultimately supporting delivery of business financial and operational targets
• Drive Business Planning and Strategic alignment, including the elicitation and aggregation of COMEX Service Line strategies to support Plan and Spend Better initiatives within the Collaborative Procurement Model 
• Lead Demand management, including forecasting and planning for Service Line demand.
• Maintain Vendor relationship management to ensure delivery of Unilever’s goals and objectives.
• Working collaboratively with key business service COMEX procurement leads, deliver Vendor Contract management, ensuring management and delivery of the commercial terms and conditions, managing strategic vendor relationships through contract life cycle and identifying continuous improvement opportunities.
• Responsible for Performance management, including adherence to contractual and operational objectives, value and satisfaction metrics, continuous improvement, and innovation.
• Support Risk management, with a holistic, life cycle approach that monitors and mitigates financial, operational, and strategic risks.
• Lead and develop capability of the VMO Business Services COMEX Portfolio team, cultivating a learning and collaboration, driving best practice, and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Lead execution of the robust and proactive VMO governance for Business Services COMEX portfolio programs/projects, with resources prioritised against highest value activities.

About you

• At least 5 years’ experience in Commercial & Contracts management in a global procurement environment
• A highly collaborative individual, strong listening skills with ability to interpret key business needs
• A results-driven, business focused leader with a passion for working strategically.
• Proven delivery of programs of strategic business change and continuous improvement.
• Deep understanding of vendor performance and relationship management.
• Experience in effectively leading and developing specialist teams.
• A strong team player, with the ability to grow effective relationships across a complex organisation.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) for interaction with C-level executives.
• Attention to detail, supported by sound financial and analytical understanding.
• Experience of Finance, Supply Chain, Commercial Experience, and business process services an advantage.

Behaviour

Candidates would be required to demonstrate the Unilever Standards of Leadership & live the Values through showing the following behaviours:

• A Passion for High Performance through Accountability - Strive for high quality and success, hold yourself and others accountable for decisions. Challenging the status quo, be bold & passionate about value, think outside of the box and be keen to improve.
• Demonstrate Consumer Love through a Customer First approach - Think about our customers constantly and strive to providing the best services and experiences.
• Be a Talent Catalyst through Collaboration - Work in an openly creative culture, where all ideas are welcome, encouraging innovation and transparency.
• Show Agility through Empowerment - Always be one step ahead, embrace change and challenges, initiate solutions and make decisions in good faith.
• A proactive, constructive attitude, driving collaboration both internally with business partners, externally with vendors

Reports

The role would lead an agile team of specialists responsible for driving value from UniOps Commercial Experience 3P engagement.

Interfaces

• Service Lines
• Global Procurement
• Supplier Operations
• Finance
• Data and Analytics functions

Preferred Education

• Masters or Advanced Business Degree
• Professional Certifications (e.g. Six Sigma)

At HUL, we believe that every individual irrespective of their race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, nationality, caste, disability or marital status can bring their purpose to life. So apply to us, to unleash your curiosity, challenge ideas and disrupt processes; use your energy to make the world a better place. As you work to make a real impact on the business and the world, we’ll work to help you become a better you!