Ice Cream Finance Manager - Global Cost Control

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Title: Ice Cream Finance Manager - Global Cost Control

Scope: Global

Reports to: Ice Cream Global Cost Control Lead

Location: Pune

Terms & Conditions: Full time, local terms with possibility of relocation support

If you are in the Unilever Ice Cream business or are considering working for the Unilever ice Cream business, you will work for the global, leading Ice Cream player with €8bn Turn Over in 2023. The Ice Cream business is operating in a highly attractive category, as we are part of the 1 trillion snacking and refreshment industry, growing consistently at high pace. We have strong brands equities: 5 of the top 10 selling brands including Wall’s, Magnum, Ben &Jerry’s. We are investing to unlock the full growth potential of Ice Cream as a standalone entity, once we separate from Unilever, which is planned to happen by November 2025. Ice Cream has distinct characteristics from Unilever’s other operating businesses and the growth potential of Ice Cream will be better delivered under a different ownership structure.

We are committed to developing and nurturing talent within our Ice Cream company. You will have ample options for career growth and exploration, allowing you to explore roles and opportunities across the new organisation. Your career development will be a priority for us, and we are dedicated to supporting your growth journey within the new company.

We hope that you will want to build the new chapter of our Ice Cream history together with us.

Unilever Ice Cream is the largest global Ice Cream Company in the world, with over 100 years of experience delivering a diverse range of indulgent, yet responsible, craft food experiences and treats delighting consumers. Committed to innovation, quality, and sustainability we have 35 brands, including 3 one billion Euro brands (Magnum, Wall’s, Ben & Jerry’s), a strong presence in over 60 countries, generating annual revenue of €8 billion. All brands are driven to transform moments into memories through indulgent yet responsibly made and marketed products. We have a well-developed strategy to deliver growth and value creation which is clear on where to play and how to win.

We turn the ordinary into the extraordinary by designing unique and innovative Ice Cream experiences that make life taste better, creating joyful experiences. In our Ice Cream business, we’re crafting the future through innovation and imaginative minds, creating unique products. We spark moments of happiness for people and within the communities where we operate. However, it is not as simple as it may seem. As Ice Cream makers we are serious about happiness. With warm hearts, we create the coolest products.

Ice Cream Finance: Leading for a winning, trusted and investible global ice cream market leader

This is your chance for a ‘once in a lifetime’ career experience, playing a part in the creation of a fully independent, new Ice Cream organisation.in what will be the Ultimate Pleasure Food company.

We are seizing this unique opportunity to reset the role of Ice Cream Finance. Together we will become the best and most admired finance team in the world, and we’ll do this by focusing on value creation, trailblazing future-fit financial processes and technology, and by becoming a training ground for financial craftmanship that will be the envy of everyone. 

Just imagine the benefits of working within a single category, where everyone and everything is laser-focused on the same goal, where there's opportunity to develop deep and wide understanding of the business economics and international ecosystem of a single category, and to translate that into value creation.

The role of Ice Cream Finance in this momentous moment is staggering, exciting, and yes...a little daunting, which is why we are looking for empowered and accountable decision makers who are keen to take on end-to-end responsibility; if you are a self-starter who identifies opportunities, takes initiative, and innovates to create value, who is proactive, resourceful and comfortable with challenge and uncertainty, you will thrive with us. In return, you will be rewarded with a rich finance role, no matter where you are in your career, and within an environment that’s both fulfilling and fun...after all, life tastes better with Ice Cream!   

See appendix if you want to know more about the Ice Cream Finance North Star, showing our vision, goals and proposition in more detail.

JOB PURPOSE:

You will play a pivotal role in driving financial efficiency and transparency across our Ice Cream Business Group and Business Units. You will collaborate closely with Marketing, HR, and other Central Functions to develop innovative cost models and an information management network for BMI & OVH. Your efforts will ensure that we set the right budgets across cost lines, maximizing the return on every dollar spent.

You will be responsible for ensuring transparency and ownership of costs, as well as compliance with key policies and standards. By structuring various BGT/FC/Actual reports and dashboards, you will provide essential stakeholders with the insights they need. Additionally, you will work hand-in-hand with the separation and establishment team to meet our cost and saving targets as we transition to a standalone company.

Your role will also involve partnering with global functions on dynamic resource allocation, budget transfers, and managing the separation and TSAs. Furthermore, you will establish a mechanism for stat charge allocation to countries, ensuring our financial operations are robust and well-structured.

We are seeking a dynamic talent with strong finance & business acumen and leading-edge data & analytics skills to join the team. The successful candidate will be one who has a proven record within finance and has a passion for change management, simplification, data & analytics, communication, and a desire to make a meaningful impact.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Collaborate with Marketing, HR, and other Central Functions:
  • Develop future-fit cost models and an information management network for BMI & OVH.
  • Ensure alignment with strategic objectives and operational needs.
• Budget Management:
  • Set and manage budgets across cost lines to maximize return on investment.
  • Ensure transparency and ownership of costs.
• Compliance and Standards:
  • Ensure adherence to key policies and standards across the cost base.
  • Foster a culture of compliance and financial discipline.
• Reporting and Dashboards:
  • Structure and deliver BGT/FC/Actual reports and dashboards for essential stakeholders.
  • Provide insights and analysis to support decision-making.
• Separation and Establishment:
  • Work closely with the separation and establishment team to meet cost and productivity targets.
  • Support the transition to a standalone company.
• Resource Allocation and Budget Transfers:
  • Partner with global functions on dynamic resource allocation and budget transfers.
  • Manage financial aspects during the separation and TSAs.
• Stat Charge Allocation:
  • Establish mechanisms for stat charge allocation to countries.
  • Ensure accurate and efficient financial operations.
• Global BMI:
  • Oversee a track of actualized costs for global branding and marketing investments.
  • Optimize resource allocation to maximize brand impact and market reach.
• Global Functions Management:
  • Manage financial aspects of global functions, including HR, IT, and other central services.
  • Ensure cost efficiency and strategic alignment.
• Global R&D Cost Control:
  • Control and monitor costs associated with global research and development activities.
  • Ensure financial sustainability and alignment with business goals.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

Experiences & Qualifications

The preferred candidate would have 5+ years in Finance with at least 2 years in a role with experience in Finance, Performance Management with FET/ Market Finance and following key skills:

Experience required

• Experience in managing a large and complex set of stakeholders
• Experience in presenting to and communicating with senior Finance and non-Finance stakeholders
• Experience in driving P&L improvements (e.g. closing gaps vs. target) and holding others accountable (particularly peers and senior leadership)
• Finance Business partnering, with Accounting & Controlling experience is a pre.

Skills required

• Ability to present complex information in a simplified manner
• High degree of flexibility and ability to quickly understand new topics
• Resilience (ability to cope with time pressure and challenges)
• Courage to drive change
• Strong analytical skills, Excel modelling skills and attention to detail
• Strong engagement, presentation and communication skills
• Financial academic level or equivalent experience.

Must have competencies

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• High level of integrity and professionalism.
• Strategic thinker with a proactive approach.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex data insights to non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

ARE YOU EXCITED TO CRAFT THE ICE CREAM FUTURE?

Unilever embraces diversity and encourages applicants from all walks of life. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. 

Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter detailing their relevant experience and qualifications to Unilever's career portal.