About the Company & Graduate Programme
Unilever is a global powerhouse of consumer goods, home to over 400 iconic brands that touch the lives of 3.4 billion people every day. In the UK, our operations are a central hub for innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation. We believe that business must be a force for good, which is why our supply chain strategy is deeply integrated with our Compass sustainability goals. We are looking for the next generation of leaders to help us reinvent the way we design, manufacture, and distribute products in an increasingly complex and digital-first global market.
Our Graduate Future Leaders Programme (Supply Chain & Sustainable Tech) is designed to cultivate future leaders who can navigate the intersection of operational excellence and emerging technology. As a graduate, you will play a pivotal role in our transition towards 'Factory of the Future' capabilities, data-driven logistics, and net-zero carbon operations. We offer an environment where your ideas matter, your personal development is a priority, and your impact is felt across our global operations from day one.
What You'll Do & Key Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end supply chain projects involving procurement, manufacturing, logistics, and planning departments.
- Utilize advanced data analytics (PowerBI, Python, SQL) to identify efficiencies in our distribution network and reduce carbon emissions.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams on the integration of IoT and predictive maintenance tools within our UK manufacturing sites.
- Engage with senior stakeholders to present data-driven recommendations that influence global procurement and production strategies.
- Manage relationships with third-party logistics partners to ensure service level agreements are met while maintaining cost-to-serve targets.
- Oversee small-scale change management initiatives during production line upgrades or new system implementations.
- Support the transition to a circular packaging economy by vetting new sustainable materials with R&D and manufacturing partners.
Who We Are Looking For & Candidate Eligibility
- A minimum of a 2:1 degree (or predicted) in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Data Science, Business, or any analytical STEM discipline.
- A deep curiosity for sustainable technology and an understanding of global supply chain challenges.
- Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex data sets into actionable insights that drive business performance.
- Strong leadership potential, evidenced by extracurricular roles, volunteerism, or internship leadership.
- Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to articulate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
- Resilience and adaptability, with a proactive approach to solving problems in ambiguous environments.
- Must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the programme (we provide support for those eligible under the Graduate Route visa).
- Collaborative mindset, valuing diversity of thought and the ability to work effectively across different cultures and functions.
Graduate Training, Rotations & Mentorship
Your 24-month journey is divided into three distinct 8-month rotations, providing exposure to different parts of our business, including Planning, Manufacturing, and Customer Service/Logistics. Each rotation is carefully designed to challenge your existing knowledge while exposing you to new methodologies. You will receive structured, on-the-job training and formal workshops focused on leadership, financial acumen, and project management, ensuring you are equipped to lead in a fast-paced corporate environment.
Support is central to your success at Unilever. From the day you join, you will be assigned a senior mentor—a leader from within the Supply Chain organisation—who will provide long-term career guidance. Additionally, you will have a 'buddy' from a previous graduate cohort to assist with your day-to-day integration. We actively support you in pursuing professional certifications, such as CIPS (Procurement), CILT (Logistics), or industry-standard technical certifications like AWS Cloud Practitioner or Six Sigma Green Belt, depending on your rotational focus.
Salary, Bonus & Benefits Package
- Competitive base salary of £36,000 per annum.
- Annual performance-based bonus scheme reflecting individual and company success.
- Generous Unilever pension scheme with significant employer contribution.
- 25 days annual leave plus UK Bank Holidays, with the option to purchase additional days.
- Private medical insurance and a comprehensive wellbeing programme including mental health support.
- Hybrid working allowance to support your home office setup.
- Exclusive employee discounts on a vast range of Unilever products and partner retailers.
- Relocation assistance for candidates moving between regional placement sites.
Recruitment Stages & How to Apply
- Online Application: Submit your CV and a brief cover letter via our portal. We review applications on a rolling basis, so early submission is highly encouraged.
- Gamified Cognitive & Situational Judgement Tests: Complete our digital assessment to test your problem-solving style and values alignment with Unilever’s culture.
- On-Demand Video Interview: A short, asynchronous video task designed to get to know you, your motivations, and your passion for our brands and sustainability.
- Virtual Assessment Centre & Technical Presentation: Participate in a half-day session involving group exercises and a structured presentation on a live business case study.