Unilever Supply Chain Finance Production Manager Vacancy 2026

Opportunity Overview

Unilever, a global leader in consumer goods, is seeking a dedicated Supply Chain Finance Production Manager. This full-time, on-site role in South Africa is crucial for driving financial performance, governance, and cost optimisation across its extensive manufacturing network. You will provide financial leadership to Unilever factories and collaborative manufacturing partners supporting key categories such as Nutrition, Home Care, Beauty & Wellbeing, and Personal Care.

This position is key to improving profitability, enhancing operational efficiency, strengthening governance, and delivering sustainable cost savings within the production landscape. You will join a team committed to making a tangible impact, contributing to Unilever's mission for both people and the planet.

Minimum Requirements

• Function: Finance
• Reports to: Supply Chain Finance Director
• Scope: South Africa
• Terms & Conditions: Full-time, Onsite
• Location: Johannesburg or Durban

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with factory leadership teams to steer business performance through insightful financial analysis and decision support.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning processes across manufacturing and collaborative production sites.
• Provide actionable insights through variance analysis, identifying key performance drivers, risks, opportunities, and corrective actions.
• Support capital investment decisions through robust business cases and evaluation of Capital Expenditure Proposals (CEPs).
• Partner with Supply Chain and Category teams to maximise government incentives and support delivery of key strategic projects.
• Monitor stock losses, material usage variances, and operational performance metrics to support effective decision-making.
• Drive the Cost per Ton agenda through delivery of productivity, efficiency, and cost reduction initiatives across manufacturing operations.
• Challenge and influence factory teams to achieve productivity targets while maintaining quality, service, and safety standards.
• Lead financial governance of waste reduction programmes and identify opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiencies.
• Monitor and evaluate capital expenditure commitments against budgets and expected returns.
• Drive alignment of manufacturing cost benchmarks and productivity improvements across sourcing units and production facilities.
• Partner with Operations teams to reduce production indirect costs and improve overall supply chain competitiveness.
• Ensure robust financial controls, governance practices, and compliance standards are implemented and maintained across Supply Chain operations.
• Lead audit engagements and coordinate financial reviews to ensure control effectiveness and compliance with company policies and SOX requirements.
• Maintain the integrity of balance sheet and income statement reporting through strong financial discipline and governance processes.
• Ensure compliance with Unilever's Standard Chart of Accounts and financial reporting requirements.
• Manage journals, provisions, write-offs, and financial adjustments in line with Schedule of Authority requirements.
• Drive timely, accurate, and transparent financial reporting to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Lead annual budgeting processes.

What the Work Involves

As a Supply Chain Finance Production Manager, you will be based on-site in either Johannesburg or Durban, operating within Unilever's manufacturing network. Your daily work will involve closely partnering with factory leadership, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Category Finance teams to drive financial performance. You'll be instrumental in leading financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and supporting critical capital investment decisions.

You will regularly engage with operations teams to identify and implement cost optimisation strategies, monitor productivity, and ensure adherence to financial controls and governance standards across production facilities. This role requires leading a high-performing finance team and collaborating extensively with cross-functional stakeholders to achieve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance overall profitability within a dynamic manufacturing environment.

How to Apply

To apply for this opportunity, please follow these steps:

• Visit the official Unilever career portal.
• Locate the "Supply Chain Finance Production Manager" vacancy (Job ID: R-1187668).
• Complete the online application form and upload any required documents.
• Ensure your application is submitted before the closing date of 9 March 2027.

Apply Here: https://unilever.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Unilever_Experienced_Professionals/job/61-Katherine-Street/Supply-Chain-Finance-Production-Manager_R-1187668-1/apply