Unilever Commercial Finance Business Partner (Foods) Vacancy

Opportunity Overview

Unilever is a global business whose products are used by 3.4 billion people across more than 190 countries daily, making a significant impact on the world. The company is driven by a purpose to make sustainable living commonplace and believes that operating with purpose leads to superior performance. At its core, Unilever fosters an inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment, providing employees with the tools to shape their unique career journeys.

This full-time, permanent opportunity for a Commercial Finance Business Partner (Foods) plays a pivotal role within Unilever's corporate management accounting systems. The position is instrumental in areas such as governance, controls, budgeting, planning, reporting, and the overall management of business performance. It focuses on providing crucial financial insights, reporting, and analysis to partner the Business Group, driving performance and strategic decision-making across Southern Africa.

Minimum Requirements

• A Degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, or a related field.
• 2-5 years of commercial experience.
• Professional qualification in accountancy (CA or CIMA) will be advantageous.
• Strong analytical capabilities with a bias to drive action.
• Ability to manage upwards.
• Ability to steer conversations and influence.
• Understanding or the ability to quickly grasp financial principles across the end-to-end process, and to identify and drive relevant value-creating choices and decisions.
• Ability to handle and work under pressure, meeting tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in financial forecasting and reporting tools.
• Ability to analyze complex financial data and provide actionable insights.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Leadership skills, including the ability to lead, motivate, and inspire.
• Strong communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to present complex information in a simplified manner.

Key Responsibilities

• Demonstrate visible leadership within the Finance function and engage in industry forums to enhance the organisation's reputation.
• Lead teams in delivering people agenda activities, including mentoring, recruiting, and talent management.
• Actively participate in the budgeting process, collaborating closely with various departments to ensure accurate and realistic budgets.
• Monitor and update forecasts based on actual performance and prevailing market conditions.
• Be accountable for the internal validation and sign-off of your respective Category Forecast.
• Track key performance indicators (KPIs) and provide regular updates to senior management.
• Identify areas for cost optimisation and efficiency improvements.
• Provide financial decision support to the Business Group leadership teams.
• Prepare and conduct financial analysis and Return on Investment (ROI) assessments for new product launches, marketing campaigns, and other business initiatives.
• Lead digital, simplification, and process improvement initiatives.

What the Work Involves

As a Commercial Finance Business Partner, you will work closely with Business Group leadership teams, providing critical financial support and insights. Your daily activities will encompass active involvement in the budgeting and forecasting cycle, ensuring that financial plans are realistic and regularly updated to reflect current performance and market dynamics. You will track key performance indicators, prepare detailed reports, and provide regular updates to senior management, helping to identify opportunities for cost efficiency and improvement.

The role requires you to conduct thorough financial analysis for new product launches, marketing campaigns, and other strategic initiatives, offering valuable data to inform decision-making. You will collaborate with various departments, reporting directly to the Commercial Finance Manager. This full-time, permanent position is based in either Durban or Johannesburg, focusing on the Southern Africa scope.

How to Apply

To apply for the Commercial Finance Business Partner (Foods) vacancy at Unilever, please follow the steps below:

• Visit the official Unilever careers portal by clicking this link: https://unilever.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Unilever_Experienced_Professionals/job/61-Katherine-Street/Commercial-Finance-Business-Partner--Foods-_R-1187971/apply
• On the Workday jobs platform, locate the "Commercial Finance Business Partner (Foods)" position using Job ID: R-1187971.
• Follow the instructions on the portal to complete and submit your application electronically.