Lead Generation Specialist-Unilever Food Solutions - Chicago

📌 Core Information 🔹 Job Title: Lead Generation Specialist - Unilever Food Solutions - Chicago 🔹 Company: Unilever 🔹 Location: Remote - USA 🔹 Job Type: Full-Time 🔹 Category: Sales & Marketing 🔹 Date Posted: May 21, 2025 🔹 Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years) 🚀 Job Overview Key aspects of this role include: - Driving sustainable business growth through new operator wins and reduced sales cycle. - Collaborating with Territory Development Managers (TDMs) to create and execute action plans. - Conducting market analysis and customer segmentation to identify high-potential opportunities. - Leveraging digital and data analysis to optimize sales strategies and improve conversion rates. - Building and nurturing relationships with key trade partners and local distributor sales reps. - Implementing contact matrix for key trade customers and working in squads for effective customer management. ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong sales background, preferably in the foodservice industry, with a proven track record of driving business growth. Experience with salesforce, digital analysis, and data-driven decision making is essential. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working remotely and collaborating with a team spread across different time zones. 📋 Key Responsibilities 🌟 Lead Generation & Sales: - Create new contacts with targeted restaurant and non-commercial accounts to bring new culinary inspiration to their menus. - Develop a collaborative calendar process with TDMs to bring new customer meetings into their schedules and prepare them for successful culinary ideations. - Follow through with marketing action plans (ABM) where customer leads need to be contacted after responding to UFS marketing campaigns. - Create penetration playbooks and build basket affinities for Citadel. - Conduct analysis using sales data and trade partner playbooks to create priority customer urgent actions for customers at risk of lapsing and customers on the verge of becoming loyal customers. 💻 Digital & Data Responsibilities: - Engage on automated warm leads and targeted leads driven via CRM (Salesforce). - Drive conversion of leads in territory and grow penetration strike rate target achievement based on SKU prioritization. - Data enrichment – continuously enrich all operator data to ensure personalized content. - Implement Omni channel (On and Offline) contact strategy for your territory. 🎯 Required Qualifications Education: - Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, or a related field (or equivalent experience) Experience: - 2-3 years of working experience, preferably in the Foodservice Industry - Proven track record in sales, preferably in the Foodservice Industry Required Skills: - Digital & Data analysis, compiling action plans from insights - Strong working knowledge of Excel, MS Office, Power BI - Salesforce experience - Culinary knowledge and passion for food - Relationship building and collaboration skills - Market analysis and customer segmentation skills - Excellent communication and presentation skills Preferred Skills: - Experience with Firefly CRM - Knowledge of the foodservice industry and its trends - Familiarity with Unilever's products and portfolio 💰 Compensation & Benefits Salary Range: $65,000 - $85,000 per year (Based on industry standards for a mid-level sales role in the foodservice industry with remote work arrangement) Benefits: - Comprehensive health, wellness, and retirement benefits - Employee assistance programs - Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities - Generous paid time off and flexible work arrangements - Employee discounts on Unilever products Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week) with flexible scheduling to accommodate remote work and collaboration with global teams 📌 Applicant Insights 🔍 Company Context Industry: Consumer Goods, specifically focused on the Foodservice sector Company Size: 10,001+ employees (Global) Founded: 1872 (Headquarters in London, UK) Company Description: Unilever is a multinational consumer goods company that produces, markets, and distributes a wide range of products, including food, beverages, cleaning agents, beauty products, and personal care products. The company's mission is to make sustainable living commonplace, with a vision to achieve net-zero emissions by 2039 and to positively impact 1 billion lives by 2030. Company Specialties: Consumer Goods, Food, Home Care, Personal Care, Refreshments, Marketing & Advertising, Retail, Purpose, FMCG, Digital, Ice Cream, Nutrition, Sustainability, Beauty & Wellbeing, Innovation, and Careers Company Website: www.unilever.com ASSUMPTION: Unilever's size and global presence offer numerous opportunities for career growth and development. The company's commitment to sustainability and positive impact makes it an attractive choice for socially conscious job seekers. However, the large size and diverse portfolio may also present challenges in terms of bureaucracy and navigating internal structures. 📊 Role Analysis Career Level: Mid-level (2-5 years of experience) Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Territory Development Manager (TDM) and works closely with other TDMs and regional sales teams. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a matrix reporting structure and collaborating with cross-functional teams. Work Arrangement: Remote solely, with occasional travel required for customer meetings and team collaborations. The role requires strong communication and time management skills to balance remote work and collaboration with global teams. Growth Opportunities: - Progression to a Territory Development Manager (TDM) role, overseeing a team of Lead Generation Specialists. - Transition to a regional or global sales management role, driving strategic initiatives and leading larger teams. - Specialization in digital marketing, data analysis, or other related fields, contributing to Unilever's digital transformation and data-driven decision making. ASSUMPTION: The remote nature of this role offers flexibility and work-life balance, but it also requires self-motivation and strong communication skills to succeed in a virtual environment. The role's focus on digital and data analysis provides opportunities for career growth in these high-demand skill areas. 🌍 Location & Work Environment Office Type: Remote (100% remote work arrangement) Office Location(s): N/A (Remote work) Geographic Context: - Location: United States (Remote work) - Time Zone: Eastern Time Zone (ET) preferred, but other time zones will be considered due to the remote nature of the role. - Work Schedule: Flexible, with core hours between 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM ET, with the expectation to be available for team meetings and customer calls as needed. ASSUMPTION: The remote work arrangement offers flexibility and the ability to work from anywhere in the United States. However, the role requires strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with global teams and manage customer relationships across different time zones. 💼 Interview & Application Insights Typical Process: 1. Online application submission 2. Phone or video screening with the hiring manager 3. Virtual interview with the hiring manager and/or other team members 4. Final round interview with senior leadership or other stakeholders 5. Background check and offer extension Key Assessment Areas: - Sales and customer engagement skills - Digital and data analysis skills - Problem-solving and strategic thinking - Cultural fit and alignment with Unilever's values Application Tips: - Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role. - Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your sales experience, customer engagement, and problem-solving skills. - Research Unilever's products, portfolio, and company culture to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm for the role. - Practice your presentation skills, as the role requires delivering compelling culinary stories and selling UFS solutions to customers. ATS Keywords: Lead Generation, Sales, Foodservice Industry, Digital Analysis, Data Analysis, Customer Engagement, Salesforce, Excel, MS Office, Power BI, Culinary Knowledge, Relationship Building, Market Analysis, Account Based Marketing, Virtual Consultation, Sampling ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing your sales and customer engagement skills, as well as your ability to work effectively in a remote environment. Be prepared to discuss your experience with digital and data analysis, and how you've used these skills to drive business growth in previous roles. 🛠️ Tools & Technologies - Salesforce (CRM) - Firefly (CRM) - Excel (MS Office) - Power BI - Other relevant sales and marketing tools (e.g., LinkedIn Sales Navigator, HubSpot, etc.) ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are standard for sales and marketing professionals. Familiarity with these tools and a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies will be essential for success in this role. 👔 Cultural Fit Considerations Company Values: - Value 1: Our purpose is to make sustainable living commonplace. - Value 2: We act like an owner, leading with a clear and bold purpose. - Value 3: We never stop learning and improving. - Value 4: We succeed together, with a culture of teamwork and collaboration. - Value 5: We are diverse and inclusive, open to all perspectives and backgrounds. Work Style: - Work Style Aspect 1: Results-driven and focused on delivering excellence. - Work Style Aspect 2: Collaborative and supportive, with a strong team orientation. - Work Style Aspect 3: Adaptable and resilient, able to thrive in a dynamic and changing environment. Self-Assessment Questions: 1. How do you align with Unilever's commitment to sustainability and making sustainable living commonplace? 2. Describe a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in your work environment or role. How did you approach this challenge, and what was the outcome? 3. How do you balance working independently in a remote environment with collaborating effectively with global teams? ASSUMPTION: Unilever's culture values diversity, inclusion, and collaboration. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate their alignment with these values and provide concrete examples of how they've embodied these principles in their previous roles. ⚠️ Potential Challenges - Challenge 1: The remote nature of the role may present communication and collaboration challenges, requiring strong self-motivation and time management skills. - Challenge 2: The role's focus on digital and data analysis may require continuous learning and adaptation to new tools and technologies. - Challenge 3: The fast-paced and dynamic nature of the foodservice industry may present unpredictable challenges, requiring quick decision-making and agility. - Challenge 4: The role's focus on new operator wins may require frequent travel and on-site customer meetings, which can be demanding and time-consuming. ASSUMPTION: The potential challenges associated with this role are inherent to its remote nature, fast-paced industry, and focus on new operator wins. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate their ability to overcome these challenges and thrive in a dynamic and changing environment. 📈 Similar Roles Comparison - Comparison Point 1: This role differs from traditional sales roles in its focus on lead generation and digital and data analysis, requiring a unique blend of skills and experiences. - Comparison Point 2: The role's focus on the foodservice industry and Unilever's portfolio provides unique insights and opportunities for growth and development. - Comparison Point 3: The role's remote nature and global scope offer unique challenges and rewards, requiring strong communication and collaboration skills. ASSUMPTION: The unique aspects of this role, such as its focus on lead generation, digital and data analysis, and remote work arrangement, set it apart from traditional sales roles. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate their ability to thrive in this unique environment and contribute to Unilever's continued success. 📝 Sample Projects - Developing a targeted marketing campaign to generate leads for a specific culinary trend or product innovation. - Conducting a market analysis to identify high-potential opportunities for new operator wins in a specific geographic region. - Creating a penetration playbook and basket affinities for Citadel, driving new menu applications and increasing volume usage of UFS solutions. ASSUMPTION: The sample projects provided are intended to give applicants an idea of the types of initiatives they may work on in this role. The ideal candidate will be able to provide specific examples of their experience with similar projects and how they contributed to their success. ❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview 1. How does this role fit into Unilever's overall strategy for driving business growth and market share in the foodservice industry? 2. What are the key priorities for the first 30, 60, and 90 days in this role? 3. How does the company support the professional development and career growth of employees in this role? 4. What are the key challenges facing the foodservice industry, and how does this role address them? 5. How does the company measure the success of this role, and what are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to track progress? ASSUMPTION: The key questions to ask during the interview are designed to provide applicants with a deeper understanding of the role's strategic importance, career growth opportunities, and the company's approach to measuring success. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate their ability to think strategically and contribute to Unilever's long-term goals. 📌 Next Steps for Applicants To apply for this position: 1. Submit your application through this [link](https://unilever.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/Unilever_Experienced_Professionals/job/Remote---USA/Lead-Generation-Specialist-Unilever-Food-Solutions---Chicago_R-82350). 2. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role. 3. Prepare for the phone or video screening by researching Unilever's products, portfolio, and company culture. 4. Practice your presentation skills, as the role requires delivering compelling culinary stories and selling UFS solutions to customers. 5. Follow up with the hiring manager after your interview to express your interest in the role and reiterate your qualifications. ⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.