Customer Collaboration Specialist - Supply Chain

Manpower are currently seeking an interim Customer Collaboration Specialist – Supply Chain, to work with our global FMCG client Unilever, renowned for brands such as Dove, Sure, Persil, and Simple, to become an integral part of their fast-paced FMCG environment.

The position is based at Kingston Upon Thames. This is a full-time temporary role for 12 Months, requiring 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Compensation for this role is competitive, paying up to £44,625 per annum, pro rata, depending upon experience.

The role currently offers a mix of remote and onsite working, subject to adjustment based on business requirements.

JOB PURPOSE

The Customer Collaboration Specialist is the supply chain face of Unilever to our customers. The ultimate goal of the role is to make Unilever the preferred supplier that our customers want to work with. Role holders are primarily responsible for working with our customers on forecasting & events to improve Unilever’s customer relationships through delivery of brilliant service levels, OSA & Forecast Accuracy. This role is geared towards focussing on the future, including planning of the mid-term promotion and events horizon (30 to 90 days) and range change planning (up to 12 months out), with some intervention in the immediate term where needed. Role holders are expected to use their knowledge of customer and Unilever supply chains to influence decision making on initiatives that add value to Unilever and the customers.

RESPONSIBILITIES / KEY DELIVERABLES

Operations & Systems

Forecasting

• Provide customer-specific insights & recommendations based on analysis & collaborative discussions (such as 30-60-90 forums) to positively influence the forecast accuracy & bias of promotional volumes within Unilever and with customers.

Order to Deliver

• Provide information & input to customer execution teams to inform short-term decision-making process.
• Management & planning of exceptional events (such as shippers, gifting, WIGIGs, range reviews, etc) to facilitate effective execution by O2D teams.

Systems that a role holder would be expected to use or interpret includes but is not limited to – SAP, RTVA, PowerBI, MS Office, TPM, TPA, customer portals.

Projects, Innovation & Capabilities

• Leads small scale customer projects that help Unilever stand out vs other suppliers (knows as “podium plays” – i.e. they put Unilever on the podium. E.g helping a customer to test and launch a new system).
• Work with the Customer Innovation Leaders on larger scale customer projects to land with the customer in a joined up way.
• Collaborate with customer to ensure correct set up of NPD, including master data, phasing, and first-order management.
• Supports relevant internal and external stakeholders on technology, process or business changes.
• Provides guidance and support to CD and other stakeholders on the feasibility and execution of initiatives.

Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving

• Review compliance with logistics trade terms and identify opportunities to improve with customers. This includes analysis of order patterns, load fill, volumes, full pallets, order amendments, etc.
• Analysis of service / OSA losses to determine key trends & chronic problems, working with stakeholders to improve availability.

External Communications & Relations

• Act as the supply chain face of Unilever to our customers.
• Understanding the needs of retail customers, be the voice of the customer internally and develop relationships with key customer contacts.
• Lead communication to customer on service performance & incidents, proactive sharing of potential supply risks and associated mitigations.
• Expected to visit customer offices and sites on a frequent basis (up to once per week) to develop face-to-face relationships and improved understanding of their issues and opportunities.
• Build relationships to positively influence customer behaviour in line with Unilever’s operational & leadership expectations.

Line Management & Coaching

• Training & coaching for new CCS starters may be an expectation of this role.
• This role may be expected to coach / educate CAMs on forecasting & supply chain fundamentals.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

Minimum Requirements

• A customer-focused mindset, seeking to exceed their expectations where possible.
• Willing and able to travel to meet customers.
• Strong internal and external stakeholder management.
• Excellent quantitative analytical skills.
• Proficiency in English & Maths.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to adapt style to influence stakeholders.

Ideal Requirements

• Advanced skillset in Microsoft Excel.
• Experience working with retail customers.
• Experience with SAP or other ERP software.
• Experience working in logistics, planning or commercial roles.
• An understanding of basic financial / commercial measures and how supply chain roles can influence them.
• A solid grasp of supply chain fundamentals.

KEY INTERACTIONS

• Customer – Commercial & Supply contacts
• CD - Customer Account Managers & Customer Business Managers
• Customer Experience - Customer Execution Specialists, OFCLs
• Planning - Demand and Supply Planning Teams
• Customer Planners & Customer Experience Analysts
• Subject Matter Experts
• Logistics
• Pricing Teams