Unilever surprised investors on Tuesday by ousting chief executive Hein Schumacher and replacing him with finance chief Fernando Fernandez, who will focus on speeding up the execution of the consumer group's turnaround strategy.

Unilever CEO Hein Schumacher is stepping down after less than two years in the job, the company said Tuesday. Current CFO Fernando Fernandez is set to take his place leading the company, effective March 1.

The surprise exit of Hein Schumacher comes less than two years after he took on the top role at the consumer-goods giant.