Unilever is currently hiring for FET Manager

Location: Durban or Johannesburg

ABOUTUNILEVER

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world. 

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

JOB PURPOSE

Find your purpose at Unilever. You will lead innovations, big and small, that will make our business win and grow. You will learn from brilliant business leaders and colleagues in a truly global and diverse culture to ultimately become a better you. This role plays a key role in the company’s corporate management accounting systems (incl governance and controls, budgeting, planning & reporting and management of business performance.)

The purpose of this role will be to:

Manage monthly/quarterly/year – end close process, reporting to the cluster and centre. Operate Financial controls in line with the Global Financial Controls Framework (GFCF), variance to budget analysis and preparation of board materials.

Ensure accurate preparation of analysis of monthly/quarterly results for the executive team

Minutes and actions of the monthly results sign off 

Prepare and Review Presentation for total company (International Visitors, Townhalls, Global)

Consolidation of Quarterly CEO update

Maintain integrity of complex historical data

Develop and maintain robust business planning and performance monitoring process for enhanced analysis, modelling and forecasting for business leaders.

Develop and maintain library of information and Analytics

Maintain alignment across all reporting systems SAP, BW, GCUT and Ifinance

Proactively initiate develop and maintain effective working relationships with business partners (Global, Cluster, PLT, Divisions, Functions FET and own team.

Business partner Southern Africa director on reporting matters

Update financials on Income statement commentary file for variance analysis

I&A :

Drive simplification/ automation committee to help drive and land the Finance Digital Agenda.  Partner with the business including I&A and offshore teams including the team in Bangalore to accelerate digital, RPA and other cognitive capabilities.

Providing monthly insights to business leaders to step change performance across all categories, by providing accurate and timely performance / forecast packs.

Reporting:

Responsible for accurate submissions to Cluster and Global actuals and forecast, maintaining a good reporting score. Through ensuring respective submissions for Southern Africa are submitted for each of the below on time and accurately by the team:

Flash Turnover

V200 actual reports

V220 Customer

V540 GMVA

Forecast GMVA (Quarterly)

Monthly Forecast P&L

Review and ensure timeous and accurate delivery of board pre-read IC sheets and post board IC sheets for sign off

Commentary for Africa/ Global variance analysis on the actual month performance

Provide Total company GMVA to SC teams

Other Adhoc:

MDG approvals

Trintech approvals

Owner of SAP access approvals

Supplier payments of AMEX/DHL/Aramex

CD Reporting, at a customer level

Adhoc SCOA changes and year end restatements

Reporting system issues – BW, GCUT, Ifinance 

Information for decision support to the business

P&L reports for auditors

OVERHEADS:

Prepare & submit an annual FC for overheads for Southern Africa

Increase visibility & profile of overheads within the business & create a sense of accountability towards set budgets

Track actuals and hold functions accountable for driving reductions and spending efficiently in line with Zero Based Budgeting (ZBB) disciplines.

Align processes with, and implement the objectives of the Global Overheads FET Team as per Gobots requirements

In line with S&OP timetable, prepare & submit an updated phased FC for overheads for Southern Africa on a monthly basis.

Prepare and communicate performance within overheads to BT/ PLT as required

Maintain a documented and agreed Standard Operating procedure that is understood and has buy in from Finance, HR and functions & which clearly articulates roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders within overheads.

Look for continuous improvements within the OH Space. Seek out and implement Simplification & standardisation opportunities specifically reviewing CC quantity.

Educate users & improved controls around CC and GL selection to improve cost hygiene

Ensure team makes necessary accruals / provisions as required monthly

Complete Balance Sheet Reconciliations as required by Controllers Team.

Benchmarking to identify efficiency improvement opportunities

Perform ad-hoc analysis as required

Coordinate data cleansing where required (master data and Eg. SAP IO maintenance

Understand and implement ZBB recommendations, drive ZBB mind-set in the business

Experiences & Qualifications & Skills

Professional qualification in accountancy – CA or CIMA (or other finance professional qualification) .

Min 3-5 years' Experience in Overheads and I&A Finance

Min 3-5 years at Management and managing people

An advantage to have both head office and factory Finance experience

Ability to steer conversations and influence

Leadership skills – able to lead, motivate, inspire

Previous experience in SAP 3 years.

Proficient in Microsoft Excel.

Previous SOX experience would be an advantage. 

Proven track record of being effective in a complex operating environment and driving business performance

Strong communication and influencing skills

Objectivity and integrity in the face of challenge; courage and personal resilience

Ability to build networks and manage multiple senior stakeholders

Leadership of change – the ability to drive change management initiatives, staying close to best practices and relevant external developments

Ability to present complex information in a simplified manner and clearly explain Finance concepts to non-Finance stakeholders

Direct Responsibility for budgeting, forecasting and quarterly reporting.

Strong Analytical skills and ability to communicate analytical findings both verbally (in meetings) and in written form (through formal presentations)

Strong initiative and ability to work

Ability to work under pressure and late hour over the month end reporting period

SAP, GCUT, Ifinance experience

Leadership

You are an inclusive motivator of people. Your team deliver with real passion, growing and learning from each other whilst delivering quick wins.

You are still responsible for your own results and as a manager, you also need to motivate others to deliver with passion, creating an inclusive and engaging climate around you. You can balance challenge with support and coaching. You understand the wider business context and you are emotionally intelligent enough to motivate people to deliver what is needed.

Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviors

PERSONAL MASTERY: Sets high standards for themselves. Has emotional intelligence to take feedback, manage mood and motivations, and build empathy for others.

PASSION FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE: Generates intensity and focus to motivate people to deliver results at speed. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results.

TALENT CATALYST: Invests in people – coaches individuals and teams to realize their full potential. Creates an inclusive climate, empowering everyone to be at their best.

PURPOSE & SERVICE: Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside Unilever.

CONSUMER LOVE: Invests time inside and outside to understand the needs of consumers.

BUSINESS ACUMEN: Creates sustainable growth with purpose, engaging different partners across the system for change.

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.