Join us as: Demand Operations Lead (DOL)- Nutrition
Function: Supply Chain
Reports to: Sales & Operations Planning Lead
Scope: Southern Africa
Location: La Lucia
Terms & Conditions: Full time
ABOUT UNILEVER
With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.
At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.
JOB PURPOSE
Unilever is the place where you can bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world.
The DOL supports the execution of the demand planning agenda by delivering accurate short- and long-term forecasts, coordinating promotional planning, and ensuring alignment across key stakeholders. The role focuses on translating data, insights, and commercial inputs into actionable demand plans, while continuously improving forecast accuracy, reducing bias, and closing performance gaps.
This role works closely with cross-functional teams to drive forecast execution, support promotional effectiveness, and leverage planning tools and systems to ensure reliable demand signals that enable strong business performance.
WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE
Long-Term Forecast Planning
Develop and maintain full-year demand forecasts using sales trends, macroeconomic insights, promotional plans, and innovation pipelines.
Leverage AI-enabled forecasting tools to generate baseline and promotional forecasts that support business planning.
Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to gather inputs, align assumptions, and build robust demand plans.
Short-Term Forecast Execution
Own the quarterly demand forecast, ensuring delivery against value and volume targets.
Drive continuous improvements in forecast accuracy and reduce forecast bias.
Identify performance gaps and develop actions to mitigate risks and deliver business targets.
Promotional Planning & Performance
Collaborate with Customer and Planning teams to develop and execute promotional forecasts.
Evaluate promotional performance and ROI, identifying opportunities to optimize investment and improve business outcomes.
Provide data-driven insights to support commercial decision-making and demand generation strategies.
WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED
Experiences & Qualifications
3-5 Years exposure to broad based Supply Chain management.
Understand S&OP process & cadence
Experience in managing external parties.
Experience working and interacting with all levels in a business.
FMCG experience
Strong capability in using AI-enabled planning/forecasting tools and data-driven systems
Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate data into actionable business decisions
Skills
AI-Enabled Planning & Analytics
Stakeholder Management
Commercial Acumen
S&OP Process Knowledge
Problem Solving & Decision Making
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Digital & Continuous Improvement Mindset
Leadership
You are energized by delivering fantastic results. You are an example to others – both your results and your resilience. You are constantly on the lookout for better ways to do things, engaging and collaborating with others along the way. As an individual you are the one responsible for your own wellbeing and delivering high standards of work. You must also focus on the Consumer and what they need. You are humble and have your head up, looking around to interpret evidence and data smartly, spot issues and opportunities to make things better.
Unilever behaviours
CARE DEEPLY: We care deeply about how consumers experience our brands every day, everywhere; about our people’s growth and development and our impact on the planet. We care about our performance, to a point where it hurts when we don’t win. It is not just about being nice or avoiding honest conversations about performance and opportunity.
FOCUS ON WHAT COUNTS: We ruthlessly prioritize what really, really matters, allowing us to do better on fewer things. We set clear and stretching goals and recognize maximum performance impact. It is not about reducing ambition or effort or running after the ‘new and shiny’.
STAY THREE STEPS AHEAD: We think boldly and creatively to make breakthroughs in performance. We are always curious and confident, anticipating and staying ahead of consumer needs and external trends to beat the competition. It is not taking our eye off the ‘here and now’.
DELIVER WITH EXCELLENCE: We deliver everything we do with excellence and pace. We take personal ownership and hold each other to account – always finding a way to do what we’ve said we will do. It is not about analyzing the inevitable roadblocks, admiring the problem or tolerating mediocrity.
Unilever is an equal opportunities employer and committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. We are intentional in employing the best talent that reflects the demographics of our country and which will help build representation of currently under-represented groups. We therefore invite applications from all candidates representing diversity of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief. When appointing potential candidates, the South African Employment Equity and Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Legislation will be considered.
We are required by law to verify your ability to work lawfully in South Africa. If you are applying as a foreign national, please note that you may be requested to provide supporting documents supporting this.
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. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.