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Does Unilever have a matrix structure?

Author

Daniel Santos

Updated on January 13, 2026

The company organisation has a matrix structure, with the following basic departments by function: sales function is represented by Customer development department, supply function is represented by supply Chain department, marketing function is represented by Brand Development and Brand Building Departments, and other …

Is Unilever centralized or decentralized?

This week Unilever was again in the press for making big changes to its marketing. Following the drive to zero-based budgeting, and the monster acquisition of Dollar Shave Club, Unilever announced a significant centralization of its marketing structure.

What type of market is Unilever?

Unilever is a multi-national consumer goods company that produces food, beverages, cleaning agents and personal care products.

What is Unilever known for?

Unilever at a glance. We’re driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace. Established over 100 years ago, we are one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies. We are known for our great brands, a global footprint and our belief in doing business the right way.

How did Unilever success?

By utilizing the already developed levers of the company, Unilever became very successful in the first 5 years of the launch of the new program. Unilever has 400 brands worldwide (in more than 190 countries) that are in Food, Refreshments, Home and Personal Care categories.

What is Unilever target market?

Unilever products target every single consumer in the market ranging from small children to the elderly. In almost every household, one of their five products is a Unilever product.

What kind of organization does Unilever have?

Unilever as an organization embraces Geographical structure in organizing its operations around the globe. Geographical structure is basically a type of organizational structure where the company’s organization is centered, or based on the geographical areas where it operates.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Unilever corporate structure?

This corporate structure is also advantageous because it enables Unilever to differentiate its products despite the large size of its global operations. A disadvantage of Unilever’s organizational structure is its minimal support for regional strategic implementation.

When did Unilever restructure its board of directors?

In 2000, Unilever restructured their board of directors by electing new faces to the board and seeing other key members retire, like Jan Peelen and Robert Philips. Miles and Snow stated that there are four types of organizational strategies pursued by companies; Defenders, Prospectors, Analyzers and Reactors.

How does product type division work in Unilever?

A product type division functions as a unit that enables Unilever to manage the development, manufacturing, distribution and sale of its consumer goods. For example, corporate managers use this feature of the organizational structure to match markets needs with appropriate products.