Unilever cutting 1,500 management jobs

Consumer goods company Unilever announced Tuesday that it will be cutting 1,500 management jobs companywide.

Unilever, which owns hundreds of brands, including Ben & Jerry’s and Dove, said it is simplifying its organizational structure and that the changes will lead to the reduction of roughly 15 percent of senior manager roles and 5 percent of more junior management roles. 

In total, around 1,500 management positions will be lost globally, with the changes “subject to consultation,” per Unilever.

The company says it does not expect the layoffs to affect factory teams.

The company’s organizational structure will now revolve around five distinct business groups, including beauty and well-being, personal care, home care, nutrition, and ice cream.

“Our new organisational model has been developed over the last year and is designed to continue the step-up we are seeing in the performance of our business,” Alan Jope, CEO of Unilever, said in a statement.

“Moving to five category-focused Business Groups will enable us to be more responsive to consumer and channel trends, with crystal-clear accountability for delivery. Growth remains our top priority and these changes will underpin our pursuit of this,” he added. 

The company also made changes to its leadership team that will take place at the beginning of April.