Along with other consumer goods companies, Unilever has faced a surge in labor, freight and ingredients costs.
Billionaire Peltz in recent weeks met two possible contenders to replace Jope, one of the sources said.
FLORIDA TALKSEven before Jope announced his departure, Peltz met with a former consumer goods CEO in Florida, one of the sources said.
In the last month, Peltz and his team also approached another former consumer packaged goods CEO about the Unilever job, the source said.
Peltz supports Unilever's sustainability strategy, including a plan to decarbonize the company's business units, Unilever has said.