Unilever plans to slash a third of all office roles in Europe by the end of 2025.
The job cuts will impact 3,000 to 3,200 roles, according to a company-wide video call shared with the Financial Times.
The move forms part of the consumer goods giant’s productivity programme, announced in March, which will result in as many as 7,500 jobs axed globally, a Unilever spokesperson confirmed for Cosmetics Business.
Through this, Unilever aims to deliver total cost savings of around €800m over the next three years.
It currently has around 10,000 office-based staff in Europe.
A human resources officer from the Dove and Vaseline owner added on the call that the cuts would not include jobs based in factories.
The spokesperson told Cosmetics Business: “In March, we announced the launch of a comprehensive productivity programme, to drive focus and growth through a leaner and more accountable organisation.
“We are now, over the next few weeks, starting the consultation process with employees who may be impacted by the proposed changes.”
They added: “We recognise the significant anxiety that these proposals are causing amongst our people [and] we are committed to supporting everyone through these changes, as we go through the consultation process.”
It is anticipated that Unilever’s corporate centres in London and Rotterdam will be particularly affected.
CEO Hein Schumacher, who replaced outgoing head Alan Jope in July 2023, has come under pressure from shareholders, especially activist investor Nelson Peltz, to boost growth.
