Unilever

The overview

Unilever is a multi-national company that develops and supplies a whole selection of household products – from foodstuffs to beauty products to detergents. In the industry these are known as ‘fast moving consumer goods’ (or FMCG). The company has been operating for more than 100 years in the UK (William Hesketh Lever created ‘Sunlight Soap’ in the 1890’s) and is now a global giant.

Unilever employs people across a range of different business areas, including:

• research and development
• supply chain
• business and technology management
• human resources
• financial management
• marketing
• customer development

In recent times, much like its competitors in the retail sector, Unilever has branched out more into its international market, with particularly strong areas of business being India and certain parts of eastern and western Africa. This impact to emerging markets is something that strikes a chord with investors, and a concentration on this may mean that some food products are dispensed with in the future.

Brands

Unilever has more than 400 global brands. Around 35 millions cups of PG tips are drunk everyday and four pot noodles are sold every second.

This is a selection of some of the most recognised Unilever names:

Unilever's work in emerging markets could mean alterations in available products.

• Ben and Jerry’s
• Hellman’s
• PG Tips
• Pot Noodle
• Flora
• Persil
• Comfort
• Dove
• Lynx
• Radox
• Vaseline
• TRESemmé

Business surveys and rankings

• 3rd in Top 100 Advertisers 2011 (Nielsen Media Research). Unilever spends around £6 billion each year on advertising.
• 2nd in Responsible Supply Chain Management Benchmark 2010 (VBDO).
• 2nd in the Dutch Top 100 Corporate Brands 2010 (Brand Competence).
• Unilever is currently one of the largest FTSE 100 companies and has continued to grow during the economic slump. Sales were up 3.5% in 2009, and 4.1% in 2010.

Salary and benefits

The starting salary for all graduates on the Unilever Future Leaders Programme is £28,500 (reviewed every six months).

In addition to what they earn, graduates will also get:

• An annual bonus opportunity (based on individual and business performance)
• One-off payment if they have a masters or PhD.
• 25 days’ annual leave

Internship salary and perks

Graduates who successfully complete a placement and then apply for a graduate job with Unilever are invited to the ‘selection day’ stage of the recruitment process.

Students on both industrial placements and internships will receive:

• Salary of £17,850 per annum, pro rata
• 20 days’ annual leave, pro rata
• Access to on-site facilities.
• Contributory pension
• Private medical insurance
• Life assurance
• Flexible working
• Relocation assistance
• Interest free loan of up to £5,000
• Staff shop
• On-site gym, café and health centre (at Leatherhead head office).

Long-term benefits

As managers progress through Unilever, they may become eligible for ‘management share awards’. These are designed to acknowledge long-term commitment to Unilever and also to encourage a vested interest in the company.