Mid-tier marketing roles are most likely to be hit, although a spokeswoman declined to confirm which positions were affected.
Unilever said that the cuts follow a review of the division's structure 'to support long-term growth objectives'. The division includes the bestselling Domestos, Persil and Dove brands.
The changes coincide with an ongoing overhaul of Unilever's business to improve pricing and branding. It has come under mounting pressure from competitors such as Procter & Gamble and Reckitt Benckiser as well as supermarket own-brands.
Persil sales fell by 11% in the year to June 2005, according to Marketing's Biggest Brands. Analysts attributed the drop to a lack of new product development.
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