Chief Data Officer
About Unilever Ice Cream
Unilever Ice Cream, the world’s largest ice cream company, is set to become a standalone entity, separating from Unilever by the end of 2025. This strategic move is designed to unlock the full growth potential of the ice cream business, which will operate under a new ownership structure, distinct from Unilever’s other operations. As part of the highly attractive snacking and refreshment category, a $1 trillion global industry, Unilever Ice Cream has consistently shown rapid growth. In 2023, the company reported a turnover of €7.9 billion, further solidifying its strong position in the market. The company has a presence in over 60 countries and operates 35 brands, five of which are part of the top ten global ice cream brands, including Ola Magnum, and Ben & Jerry’s, Unilever Ice Cream boasts significant brand equity and is well positioned to continue its success as a separate business.
Unilever Ice Cream has a well-defined strategy that focuses on driving growth and value creation. The company is committed to developing and nurturing talent within its organization, offering ample career growth opportunities as the company transitions to its new structure. Currently based in Rotterdam, the company plans to relocate to Amsterdam in 2025.
Requirements*
- Over 10 years of experience
- In data science & AI-driven initiatives
- And with data management, governance, analytics & BI
- Within a global corporation (preferably in the consumer goods industry)
- Business and commercially savvy
- Confident communicator and stakeholder manager
- Strategic and systemic problem-solver
- Inspirational people leader and driver of transformative change
Research shows that while male candidates feel confident enough to apply when they meet about 60% of the requirements, female candidates only apply when they tick every box. So if this role has your name on it, but you’re not sure about the criteria, we still want to hear from you.
This is an incredibly unique high-impact leadership opportunity. As Chief Data Officer, you will be the driver of a data & insights-led enterprise and implement AI strategies that will define the success of our business, as we step into an exciting new era of independence.
Chief Data Officer
Unilever Ice Cream is focused on becoming a data & insights-led autonomous enterprise and the Chief Data Officer (CDO) will be at the forefront of making this happen. As Unilever Ice Cream embarks on this exciting new journey, the CDO will be a pioneer in defining the company’s digital future, building and maintaining a world-class data ecosystem for the multi-billion-dollar business. The CDO will lead the creation of a new data lake, establish governance frameworks, and oversee the integration of data science, advanced AI and automation capabilities across the organization.
Reporting directly to the Chief Technology and Information Officer (CTIO), the CDO will be a key member of the Ice Cream Technology Leadership Team. The high-impact leadership role involves close collaboration with technology teams, business stakeholders, and external vendors to ensure the seamless delivery of data-driven solutions. The CDO will shape and lead a high-performing team of data, AI, and automation experts, overseeing key areas including strategy, products, core data technology, and partner management. They will drive collaboration across teams to ensure the delivery of cutting-edge solutions that align with business objectives and determine future partnerships with external providers to enhance capabilities and oversee regionally tailored products and solutions across 54 countries.
Taking complete ownership of the development and implementation of global data and AI strategies, the CDO will set a bold vision for the future, transforming insights into action and enhancing predictive capabilities across the business. Implementing procedures that prioritize accuracy and accessibility, the CDO will create a solid foundation for reliable and secure data management, ensuring the collection, storage, and governance of data meet the highest standards of quality, security, and compliance. Staying ahead of industry trends, the CDO continuously identifies opportunities for innovation and strategic growth through AI and automation, adopting emerging technologies and integrating data science into business processes. The use cases exist organization wide, ranging from predicting weather impact on sales to optimizing marketing promotions to supply chain forecasting and many more.
The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with a deep understanding of data governance, analytics, data science and emerging technologies. Inspirational and influential, the CDO drives change, builds high-performing teams, and fosters collaboration across the organization. A strategic thinker and excellent communicator, they easily translate complex technical concepts into practical business solutions. An adaptable problem solver with a passion for innovation, they harness the power of data to drive growth, revolutionize operations, and deliver tangible, measurable impact.
Unilever Ice Cream is committed to transforming everyday moments into extraordinary experiences through innovative products that bring joy to consumers and positively impact communities. The role will initially be based in Rotterdam and move to Amsterdam in 2025.
More information?
Curious if this role is right for you? View the full job profile for more details about the responsibilities, the team, and what we're looking for in a candidate.
This position has been filled
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