DEEKSHA SINGH APPOINTED GLOBAL PRODUCT DIRECTOR FOR INTEGRATED PLANNING & CUSTOMER CONNECTIVITY AT UNILEVER

Unilever has appointed Deeksha Singh as Global Product Director – Integrated Planning & Customer Connectivity. With over 15 years at the company, Singh brings deep expertise in digital transformation, procurement, analytics, and global planning, and will play a key role in advancing Unilever’s data-driven, future-ready operating model.

Deeksha Singh’s appointment as Global Product Director – Integrated Planning & Customer Connectivity at Unilever marks a defining moment in a career that has been closely intertwined with the evolution of one of the world’s largest FMCG companies. With more than 15 years at Unilever, Singh’s journey reflects the increasing centrality of technology, data, and integrated decision-making in global consumer goods operations, as well as the growing influence of leaders who can bridge strategy, execution, and transformation at scale.

Over the years, Singh has emerged as a key contributor to Unilever’s global transformation agenda, working at the intersection of planning, procurement, customer development, and digital enablement. Her career progression within the organisation mirrors Unilever’s own shift toward a future-ready operating model—one that relies heavily on data-driven insights, connected systems, and agile planning capabilities to respond to fast-changing consumer and market dynamics. From early roles focused on analytics and process excellence to senior global mandates shaping enterprise-wide platforms, Singh has consistently operated in spaces where complexity and impact converge.

In her new role, Singh is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening Unilever’s integrated planning capabilities while deepening customer connectivity across geographies. Integrated planning has become a strategic priority for global FMCG companies, as they seek to align demand, supply, finance, and commercial decisions into a single, cohesive view of the business. Customer connectivity, meanwhile, is increasingly critical as brands strive to engage retailers, distributors, and consumers through real-time data, shared insights, and collaborative planning models. Singh’s mandate sits squarely at this intersection, placing her at the heart of how Unilever translates data into action across markets.

Singh’s track record suggests she is well positioned for this responsibility. In her previous role as Global Product Director – Sourcing & Sustainability, she was closely involved in shaping digital platforms that enabled responsible sourcing and sustainability-led procurement at scale. These initiatives not only supported Unilever’s ambitious sustainability goals but also demonstrated how technology can be leveraged to deliver transparency, efficiency, and measurable impact across global supply networks. Her leadership in this area contributed to award-winning programs that underscored Unilever’s reputation as a pioneer in sustainable and digital procurement.

Earlier, as Director – Customer Development Data & Analytics, Singh worked extensively on building advanced analytics capabilities that supported commercial decision-making and customer engagement. This role required close collaboration with sales, marketing, and customer development teams across regions, reinforcing her ability to operate across functions and geographies. By enabling better use of data and insights, her work helped strengthen Unilever’s ability to anticipate customer needs, optimise promotions, and improve overall commercial effectiveness.

Her tenure as IT Director – South Asia further broadened her leadership exposure, placing her at the helm of regional technology strategy and execution in one of Unilever’s most complex and dynamic markets. In this capacity, Singh oversaw large-scale technology programs, balanced global standards with local business needs, and worked closely with business leaders to ensure technology investments translated into tangible outcomes. This experience proved instrumental in shaping her understanding of how global platforms must adapt to local realities—an insight that is particularly relevant in her new global role.

Beyond these formal titles, Singh has held senior leadership roles across global procurement and planning functions, giving her a holistic view of Unilever’s value chain. Her work has consistently focused on enabling scale through standardisation while preserving the flexibility required for market-specific innovation. This balance has become a defining theme of her career, as Unilever and its peers navigate the tension between global efficiency and local responsiveness.

Before joining Unilever, Singh gained valuable experience at Genpact, where she built a strong foundation in process transformation and analytics. This early exposure to large-scale transformation programs and data-driven decision-making helped shape her approach to leadership and problem-solving. It also provided her with a perspective that extends beyond a single organisation, enriching her ability to benchmark practices and adapt best-in-class approaches within Unilever’s context.

An alumna of the Indian Institute of Management Mumbai, where she completed her PGDIM, Singh brings a rigorous management education to complement her extensive industry experience. Her academic background has supported her ability to combine strategic thinking with execution discipline, a blend that has been evident throughout her career. Colleagues and collaborators often point to her ability to translate complex strategic objectives into clear, actionable roadmaps—a skill that is especially valuable in global roles involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.

Singh’s leadership journey has also been notably international. With exposure across India, the UK, and several other markets, she has developed a nuanced understanding of cultural, regulatory, and operational differences that shape global business. This global operating experience is a critical asset in her new role, which requires close coordination across regions and functions to deliver truly integrated planning and customer connectivity solutions.

As Unilever continues to invest in digital transformation, integrated planning, and advanced analytics, the role of Global Product Director – Integrated Planning & Customer Connectivity is expected to be central to the company’s long-term strategy. The position calls for not only technical and functional expertise, but also the ability to lead change, influence senior stakeholders, and inspire cross-functional teams around a shared vision. Singh’s career trajectory suggests a leader who is comfortable operating in this space, combining depth of knowledge with the agility required to navigate constant change.

Her appointment also reflects a broader trend within global organisations toward recognising and elevating leaders who have grown within the system and understand its complexities from the inside. Singh’s long tenure at Unilever has given her deep institutional knowledge, strong internal networks, and credibility built on consistent delivery. At the same time, her varied roles and international exposure ensure she brings fresh perspectives and a forward-looking mindset to the challenges ahead.

For Unilever, strengthening integrated planning and customer connectivity is not merely a technology initiative, but a strategic imperative tied to growth, resilience, and competitiveness. As consumer preferences evolve, supply chains become more complex, and sustainability expectations intensify, the ability to connect data, decisions, and partners across the value chain will be a key differentiator. Singh’s mandate places her at the forefront of this transformation, with the opportunity to shape how Unilever operates in an increasingly interconnected world.

Global Entrepreneurs Today congratulates Deeksha Singh on this well-deserved appointment and wishes her continued success as she takes on this significant global role. Her journey serves as a testament to the impact of sustained leadership, continuous learning, and the ability to adapt and lead through change—qualities that will undoubtedly define her next chapter at Unilever as she drives innovation, integration, and transformation on a global scale.