Global Business Development Manager Hotels

Unilever has adopted a new divisional structure. With the merging of the Food and Refreshments divisions, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a Global Business Development Manager to join the company and drive growth and profitability in their Front-of-House channels.

Unilever and the front-of-house powerhouse

Unilever recognizes the commercial potential of Front-of-House channels, particularly in the Food and Refreshment categories. In the airline and hotel sectors there is considerable scope to drive profitability of various tea brands, dressings, and ice creams, and also continue to nurture the brand awareness of having these products in such captive markets.

Front-of-house has the potential to deliver substantial growth in sales volume and margin and will be a real powerhouse – under the right guidance.

Unilever’s association with hotels has typically been in a back-of-house capacity, but there’s enormous potential here. Refreshment options in receptions, restaurants, business, and bedrooms all require a subtly different approach. Is there a place for a Magnum at the hotel high-tea buffet? What’s the best fit for in-room refreshments for a quirky hotel? Can a narrative be crafted where Pukka tea becomes synonymous with a nightly, before-bed ritual?

Vacancy: Global Business Development Manager Hotels

The Global Business Development Manager can draw upon their considerable experience to develop and oversee the strategy needed to deliver results. The successful candidate utilizes their experience, contacts, and networks to hit the ground running. They will use their cumulative knowledge to develop a channel strategy, which will be delivered through local account managers and Front-of-House specialists. Industry knowledge, a creative, fast-thinking mind, and a bold, decisive leadership style all drive this success.

The Global Business Development Manager will report to the Global Account Director and lead a dedicated team of account managers. This is a global role, based in Rotterdam, and with some travel. In the hotels’ context, the role necessitates working with head offices to negotiate partnerships, and with individual countries in which these hotels might be situated to ensure the strategy is deployed successfully.

Unilever is renowned for its data-driven and systematic approach. The candidate will create accurate benchmarking of the portfolio and go-to-market approach to ensure Unilever dominates and wins in this field. This is a go-getting role, in a go-getting company.

Candidate profile

Personality

• Entrepreneurial problem-solver
• Comfortable working in an ambitious and changing environment
• Must have the potential to slip quickly into the roles at Unilever

Experience

• A seasoned sales professional with experience in the airline/ hotel sector
• Food and beverages background preferred – experience in branded manufacturing and customer liaisons a plus

Unilever works with Top of Minds to fill this vacancy. Contact Janko Klaeijsen at janko@topofminds.com for more information.