Unilever YES Programme: Ignite Your Future Leadership Skills
About Unilever
With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.
At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.
The Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme
**Location:** Durban
The Youth Employment Service (YES) Programme is a national collaborative initiative aimed at empowering South African youth by providing them with valuable work experience. The YES Programme at Unilever is more than just work experience – it’s a launchpad for future careers. As part of this initiative, you’ll be immersed in a 12-month journey designed to ignite your potential, equip you with practical skills, and expose you to real-world business challenges. Whether you’re supporting teams in our offices or on the factory floor, you’ll gain meaningful, hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment where learning, growth, and purpose come together. This is your chance to be part of a company that’s reimagining the future of work – and investing in yours.
Job Purpose
The Unilever YES Programme is meant to provide participants with a meaningful work experience, skills development opportunities, and exposure to a professional environment as a stepping stone into the world of work.
What Will Your Main Responsibilities Be?
Participants will take on support responsibilities across different business functions. These responsibilities play a crucial role in ensuring the effective operation of the function and offer accelerated and practical work experience.
Business Functions:
– **Customer Development (CD):** Work with customers, such as major supermarkets, to ensure optimal results for both Unilever and the customer. Focus on building strong relationships and driving sales through effective collaboration and execution at the customer level.
– **Culinary:** Help prepare product samples for customer demos and manage logistics of demo events, trade shows, and customer meetings. Support chefs with content creation for webinars and “how to” videos.
– **Marketing:** Responsible for building brands, driving consumer engagement, and developing strategies to grow market share and brand equity.
– **Supply Chain:** Manages the end-to-end process of sourcing, manufacturing, and delivering products to customers.
– **Human Resources (HR):** Handles talent management, employee engagement, and organizational development.
– **Finance:** Oversees financial planning, analysis, reporting, and compliance.
– **IT (Information Technology):** Supports business operations with technology solutions and digital transformation.
– **Mechanical Engineering:** Work on engineering projects and gain exposure to industry-leading manufacturing processes.
– **Safety, Health, and Environment (SHE):** Supports the site SHE Coordinator to implement systems to reduce Occupational Health and Safety risk by creating and maintaining an effective SHE management system.
– **Communications:** Manages internal and external communications, including corporate affairs and public relations.
– **Learning & Rewards:** Focuses on employee development, training, and compensation strategies.
Minimum Requirements
– South African citizen, aged 18 – 34 years
– Currently unemployed and not studying full-time
– Completed Matric certificate (Grade 12)
– Relevant tertiary qualifications advantageous
– Should not have more than 2 years’ work experience
– Commitment to the 12-month programme
– Must not have completed a YES Programme previously
– Willingness to learn and grow in a professional environment
– A strong academic record
– Strong computer literacy
– Strong written and verbal communication skills
– Good time management
– Ability to work in a collaborative team environment
– A positive attitude
Unilever Behaviors
Assess whether the candidates’ responses and examples resonate with Unilever’s expected behaviours:
– **Care Deeply:** We care deeply about how consumers experience our brands every day, about our people’s growth and development, and our impact on the planet.
– **Focus on What Counts:** We ruthlessly prioritise what truly matters, setting clear goals & direction and recognising others for maximum impact.
– **Stay Three Steps Ahead:** We think boldly and creatively to make breakthroughs in performance, anticipating and staying ahead of consumer needs and external trends.
– **Deliver with Excellence:** We deliver excellence at pace, taking personal ownership and holding each other accountable.
How to Apply
Please kindly attach the following documents as part of the selection:
– Updated CV
– Copy of highest qualification (e.g., Grade 12, Diploma, Degree)
(We value equity, diversity, and inclusion. This initiative forms part of our transformation objectives and our commitment to Employment Equity. Consideration will therefore be given to suitably qualified individuals from designated groups in line with the Employment Equity Act.)
Unilever is committed to equity, inclusion, and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever, we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work. If you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.