Finance Manager (FET)

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.

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