The Unilever YES Programme
Location: Johannesburg
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 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 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.
The different business functions are:
Customer Development (CD): This function works with customers—such as major supermarkets—to ensure that outlets deliver optimal results for both Unilever and the customer. It focuses on building strong relationships and driving sales through effective collaboration and execution at the customer level.
Cullinary: Help prepare product samples for customer demos and logistics of demo events, trade shows, customer meetings. You will get to 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 the creation and maintenance of 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, everywhere; about our people’s growth and development, and our impact on the planet. We care about our performance, to a point where it hurts when we don’t win.
Focus on What Counts: We ruthlessly prioritise what truly matters, and so do fewer things brilliantly. We set clear goals & direction and recognise others for maximum impact.
Stay Three Steps Ahead: We think boldly and creatively to make breakthroughs in performance. We are always curious and confident - anticipating and staying ahead of consumer needs and external trends, to beat the competition.
Deliver with Excellence: We deliver excellence in what we do at pace. We take personal ownership and hold each other to account – always finding a way to do what we said we will do.
Please kindly attach the following documents as part of the selection:
updated CV
copy of highest qualification (eg. 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 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.