Business Excellence Lead at Unilever Durban/Johannesburg

Business Excellence Lead – Unilever South Africa

Job ID: R-1167280
Category: Customer Development
Location: Sandhurst, Gauteng (Durban/Johannesburg)
Date Posted: 15 October 2025
Employment Type: Full-time, Office-based
Function: Food Solutions
Reports To: GM/Head of Country
Scope: South Africa
Work Level: 2B

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🌍 About Unilever

With over 3.4 billion people in more than 190 countries using our products daily, Unilever is a global leader that impacts lives and communities worldwide. We are driven by our purpose — to make sustainable living commonplace — and we believe that doing business the right way leads to superior performance.

At Unilever, our people are at the heart of what we do. We foster an inclusive, flexible, and collaborative working environment, giving you the tools to shape your own future and make a real difference.

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🍴 About Unilever Food Solutions (UFS)

Unilever Food Solutions is a €2.5 billion+ division operating in 72 countries across 22 Multi-Country Organizations (MCOs). UFS leads the dynamic food service market with innovative solutions for restaurants, hotels, caterers, and delis.
We are accelerating our digital transformation to fuel growth through data-driven, technology-enabled go-to-market strategies.

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🎯 Job Purpose

The Business Excellence Lead is a key leadership role responsible for driving business strategy, data-led decision-making, and operational execution across South Africa. You will lead a team of data analysts, transforming data into actionable insights that drive performance, efficiency, and innovation.

If you are passionate about data analytics, storytelling, and business transformation, this is your opportunity to create meaningful impact at one of the world’s leading organizations.

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💼 Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Leadership

• Lead the Business Excellence Strategy and prioritization for South Africa, aligned with IBP and Country Lead goals.
• Develop and oversee the data insights strategy, ensuring alignment with business KPIs.
• Act as a strategic integrator between Customer Development (CD) and Marketing to ensure unified business goals.
• Manage and optimize local market reporting, avoiding duplication across regional reports.
• Champion data-driven decision-making and drive adoption across all business units.

Data & Analytics

• Spearhead external SSD collection and develop a continuous data improvement roadmap.
• Oversee customer lead management flows and monitor engagement effectiveness.
• Lead Net Revenue Management (NRM) analysis and ROI tracking for promotions and marketing activations.
• Provide data-driven insights to enhance incentive design and business performance.
• Govern data quality, standardization, and compliance with POPI regulations.
• Ensure data harmonization and seamless integration with UDL.

Customer Experience (CX) & Technology

• Act as the Change Leader for CX transformation initiatives across commercial teams.
• Manage the BEX budget, including CRM, data automation, and vendor contracts.
• Support CD teams in the implementation of new CX and technology initiatives (CRM, UDL).

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🤝 Key Interfaces

• Direct Reports: Data Analysts (x4), CEXP & DSR Team (x2)
• Cross-functional Stakeholders: CD Lead, Territory Lead, Trade Lead, Chains Lead, Marketing Lead, PU BEX Lead, PU CX Lead, PU UniOps Team

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📚 Experience & Qualifications

Essential:

• 10+ years of professional experience, including 3+ years in a Business Excellence leadership role.
• Strong operational and strategic understanding of B2B and/or FMCG models.
• Proven success in data analytics, business insights, and performance delivery.
• Ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights.
• Strong influencing skills and ability to lead without formal authority.
• Agile and adaptable in dynamic business environments.

Desirable:

• Project management experience.
• Knowledge of Digital Marketing and eCommerce.
• Experience in Customer Journey Mapping.

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🧠 Key Skills

• Business Acumen
• Data Analytics & Visualization
• Communication & Presentation Skills
• Selling & Negotiation Skills

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🌟 Leadership Attributes

• Results-Oriented: Driven to deliver impactful outcomes and lead by example.
• Consumer-Centric: Keeps the consumer at the core of decision-making.
• Innovative Thinker: Anticipates trends and creates solutions that stay ahead of the competition.
• Collaborative Leader: Inspires, empowers, and engages teams across the organization.

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💡 Unilever Behaviours

• Focus on What Counts: Prioritize what truly matters and execute brilliantly.
• Care Deeply: Show commitment to people, performance, and planet.
• Stay Three Steps Ahead: Think boldly and creatively to anticipate change.
• Deliver with Excellence: Execute with accountability and pace.

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🌈 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Unilever celebrates diversity and is committed to fostering an environment of equity, inclusion, and belonging. We welcome applicants from all walks of life, regardless of race, gender, age, disability, religion, or background.

If you require any reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please inform us at the time of application — we’re here to support you on your journey.

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📩 Apply Now and be part of a company that empowers you to shape a better business and a better world.