Franchise Relations Manager - Unilever (Northern, Vermont)

Franchise Relations Manager

South Burlington, VT

Unilevers mission is to add Vitality to Life.  We meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life.

Unilever is among the Top 70 of the Fortune Global 500 Companies.  We are also one of the worlds leading suppliers of fast moving consumer goods in foods, household and personal care products.  Our purpose is to meet the everyday needs of people everywhere to anticipate the aspirations of our consumers and customers and to respond creatively and competitively with branded products and services, which raise the quality of life.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Franchise Relations Liaison manager creates, plans, coordinates and implements Ben & Jerrys Franchise Community Relations programs and strategies to establish and maintain harmonious non-litigious relationships with franchise community on both a domestic and international level. This includes coordination with franchisees, internal Ben & Jerrys staff, legal staff and the broader collective community including vendors, distributors, litigators, Unilever stakeholders and supporting staff, etc. The Liaison operates with only general supervision and has discretion and latitude to use individual judgment and company resources within broad guidelines to resolve issues of moderate complexity or risk to the company. Position influences the reduction of 1m$ legal budget thru proactive solutions. Scope includes 800 stores worldwide and 350 franchisees. This position will report to the Director of Retail Operations and is based at South Burlington, VT.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develops and implements education and communication programs and strategies that promote strong franchise relations and mutual commitment to the success of the community and the company. Communicates company needs, concerns or complaints to franchisees.

Acts as the franchise communitys primary point of contact in the company for addressing chronic complaints or concerns.

Facilitates resolution of franchisees issues within the parameters of the company and corporate operating structure, company values and philosophy and other pertinent guidelines.

Maintains a visible presence with franchisees to encourage open lines of communication and maintain positive relationships.

Communicates franchisee needs, concerns, or complaints to the appropriate team members. Elevates significant franchise community concerns to the Retail Operations Director and the Sr. Manager of Operations in a timely manner, with recommended solutions as appropriate.

Knowledge and skill-set to train other retail operations staff best practices regarding communications and maintaining positive working relationships with the franchise community. Will also be called upon by other department personnel to help craft communication strategies around topics that may be considered contentious.

Ensures that the companys contractual obligations to franchise are met; coordinates with other departments and vendors in support of franchisees needs.

Develops and recommends strategies and tools to improve quality and effectiveness of the overall franchising program.

May be called upon to contribute to the company response to litigation or other complex or contentious issues between franchisees and the company.

Manages projects and performs other duties and tasks as directed or assigned by Sr. Manager of Operations or Director of Retail Operations, such as coordinating the annual meeting and FAC meetings

Prepares and maintains records, compiles and composes reports, and responds to correspondence.

Protects franchisees, employees, and companys right to privacy by keeping all records confidential.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS: (Education; Experience and Skills)

BA or equivalent experience required.

Minimum of 5 years experience in management positions at the franchise corporate level with experience in franchise operations, development, and marketing. Ideal candidate has management experience in all three of these areas.

Ability to maintain calm and professional demeanor in difficult or contentious situations and ability to assess and solve problems expeditiously, at times without complete data

Clear, well organized verbal and written communication and presentation skills

Basic project management skills

Demonstrated ability to work with the company philosophy and corporate structure on difficult franchise relations situations; demonstrated understanding of relationship to the franchise community.

Demonstrated ability to earn the respect of franchisees, field staff and internal Ben & Jerrys management staff.

Demonstrated ability to interface with business and legal organizations in complex, highly litigious situations successfully.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Regular travel is required up to 10% of the time; some repetitive, office-environment motion required

The above cited duties and responsibilities describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that an incumbent may be expected to perform.

No relocation assistance is currently available for this position.

Unilever offers a competitive compensation package which includes:  Medical & Dental Plans, Life Insurance, including spouse & children, Health Care Flexible Spending, Dependent Care, Retirement & Savings Plans, Tuition Reimbursement, Paid Vacation and Holidays.

Visit our website at www.unileverusa-careers.com or to apply now, click on the link below.

https://recruitment.unileverservices.com//MAIN/careerportal/job_profile.cfm?szOrderID=20045

Unilever is an equal opportunity employer.  It prohibits discrimination based on age, color, disability, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

Employment is subject to verification of pre-employment drug-screening results and background investigation.