Unilever - the firm behind brands such as Ben & Jerry's, Dove and Domestos - has revealed plans to cut around 7,500 jobs globally.
A spokesperson told Newstalk the job cuts will be "predominantly office-based" with the roles to be impacted over the next two years.
Unilever currently employs approximately 128,000 staff worldwide and over 6,000 people across Ireland and the UK.
The company is also separating its ice-cream brands into a standalone entity.
"Ice-cream has a very different operating model, and as a result the board has decided that the separation of ice-cream best serves the future growth of both ice-cream and Unilever," the London-based firm said on Tuesday.
A Unilever building in the US. Image: UnileverFollowing the separation, it said Unilever will become more focused on beauty and wellbeing, personal care, home care and nutrition.
The 7,500 job cut figure applies to Unilever without its ice-cream business.
It has five of the top 10 selling global ice-cream brands including HB, Magnum and Ben & Jerry's.
These brands delivered turnover of €7.9 billion in 2023.
Some of Unilever's ice-cream brands sold under the HB logo. Image: UnileverUnilever said a "demerger" of its ice-cream arm is the most likely separation route.
A process for separation is to begin immediately and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Unilever CEO Hein Schumacher said the new programme will be carried out in consultation with employee groups.
"Simplifying our portfolio and driving greater productivity will allow us to further unlock the potential of this business, supporting our ambition to position Unilever as a world-leading consumer goods company delivering strong, sustainable growth and enhanced profitability," he said.
"We are committed to carrying out our productivity programme in consultation with employee representatives, and with respect and care for those of our people who are impacted," he added.
Mr Schumacher was appointed as Unilever's Chief Executive Officer last year.
