Unilever CEO Steps Up With Plan to Shed Ben & Jerry’s, Jobs (2)

The new boss of Unilever Plc wants to reverse years of lackluster performance with an ambitious plan to separate the conglomerate’s ice cream arm and remove layers of middle management.

About nine months since taking charge of the Anglo-Dutch company, Hein Schumachermoved to offload a division worth as much as $18 billion, according to Barclays analysts. It’s home to brands including Ben & Jerry’s and Magnum — which a previous Unilever chief, Paul Polman, dubbed “one of the greatest-ever success stories in the consumer goods market.”

It’s just one part of Schumacher’s wider plan to drive growth and ...