Foods ID Corporate Affairs Manager

Role: Foods ID Corporate Affairs Manager
Team: Foods Corporate Affairs Team
Reportingto: Greater Asia Corporate Affairs Director

Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
Start date: TBC

Earlier this year, Unilever announced an agreement to combine its Foods business with McCormick & Company, creating a scaled global flavour powerhouse. The proposed combination would bring together iconic Foods brands, including Hellmann’s and Knorr, with McCormick’s portfolio to create a global leader across spices, seasonings, condiments and complementary food categories, supported by strong retail and foodservice platforms. McCormick brings more than 135 years of heritage, a presence in 150+ countries and territories, and a portfolio of trusted brands. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, with completion estimated for mid-2027.

Purpose of the Role

Lead the Corporate Affairs agenda for Indonesia, protecting and enhancing Foods' reputation through public affairs, trade association representation, stakeholder engagement, communications and issues management. The role supports business growth and transformation by ensuring effective engagement with policymakers, industry bodies, media, employees and other key stakeholders on critical food topics.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Develop and implement the Indonesia Corporate Affairs strategy, aligned to business priorities and global Corporate Affairs direction.
• Business partner with the GM/CEO Indonesia and Indonesia business leadership to identify, discuss and strategise on local issues, external risks and opportunities, ensuring Corporate Affairs is embedded in business decision-making.
• Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, trade associations, media and other key stakeholders, representing Foods in relevant forums and advancing advocacy on priority areas such as commodities import issues, nutrilevel, and salt-sugar-gat issues, as well as packaging, and responsible marketing.
• Monitor political, regulatory, media and stakeholder developments on critical food topics and assess implications for Foods and its reputation in Indonesia.
• Lead local issues management and reputation protection activities, ensuring emerging risks are identified and managed effectively.
• Lead local sustainability and/or community engagement programmes, ensuring consistent presences of the Foods brands in the communities.
• With Global Media Relations support, manage media enquiries, ensuring timely, accurate and aligned responses that protect and strengthen Foods' reputation.
• Support clear and consistent employee communications on business priorities, transformation and issues with local relevance.

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS
• Significant experience in Corporate Affairs, Communications and Public Affairs.
• Strong understanding of the Indonesian political, policy, regulatory, media and trade association landscape, particularly on priority food sector issues.
• Experience managing reputation, stakeholder engagement, communications, and sustainability and/or community engagement programmes within a complex organisation.
• Proven ability to represent business positions externally and work through trade associations to shape credible, evidence-based policy engagement.
• Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Strong communication, presentation and writing capability in English and Bahasa Indonesia.
• Ability to operate effectively under pressure and manage sensitive issues with sound judgement.

MINDSET & BEHAVIOURS

Focus on What Counts
• Focuses the organisation on the external issues, narratives, public affairs priorities and stakeholder relationships that matter most to Foods in Indonesia.

Stay Three Steps Ahead
• Anticipates reputational risks and stays close to policy and regulatory developments, media trends and stakeholder expectations before they become business challenges.

Challenge & Debate on the Right Choices
• Brings thoughtful challenge to leadership discussions and shapes stronger external positioning.

Deliver with Excellence
• Ensures consistent, high-quality external communications and stakeholder engagement that strengthen trust and reputation.

WHAT SUCCESS WILL LOOK LIKE

Within 24 months:
• Foods is recognised as a credible and trusted voice on priority food policy issues in Indonesia.
• Stakeholder engagement and advocacy support the successful delivery of business priorities.
• Reputation risks are anticipated and managed effectively.
• Indonesia leaders view Corporate Affairs as a valued strategic partner and trusted advisor.
• Communications and stakeholder engagement contribute positively to Foods' reputation, external relationships and employee understanding.

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, 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 and this includes you! Thus 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.

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