Commercial Finance Business Partner – Modern Trade

Unilever is currently hiring for Commercial Finance Business Partner: Modern Trade

Function: Commercial Finance Business Partner

Reports to: Finance Manager

Scope: Southern Africa

Location: Unilever Head Office, La Lucia Ridge, Durban

Terms & Conditions: Full time

ABOUT UNILEVER

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.

The Finance controlling process for the Commercial Finance (CD - Customer Development) function, is owned & continuously improved by the Finance Business partner.  

JOB PURPOSE

Unilever is the place where you can bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world.  If you are able to drive CD performance management and processes (e.g. forecasting, controls) and continuously optimise information and analyticsthen this role is just for you!

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

·       Support decisions around CD promotions and work with CD Operations around accruals

·       Ensure right level of investments behind channels / categories / activities / customers 

·       Partner with CD account teams to manage performance (e.g. changes in forecast) in a standardised way across all accounts & channels, support initiatives to close gaps, intervene where required, mitigate risks and deliver opportunities (attend business review meetings by exception)

·       Communicate & manage account targets (growth & Trade Terms Spend (TTS)) 

·       Help develop customer investment plans and drive these through to implementation

·       Support with management of debtors and customer overdue’s

·       Help to resolve key issues around claims and aged deductions

·       Engage with the Order to Cash team in the Multi Country Operation to ensure transactional & balance sheet issues are resolved in an optimal way

·       Assist and intervene in CD finance controlling processes including accrual reviews, aged deduction management, preparation and posting of judgemental TTS accruals

·       Evaluate the feasibility and return on promotional plans

·       Analyse and present results on a monthly basis to relevant Business Partner teams with insight

·       Support CD operations in daily activities whenever finance expertise is required 

·       Analysis pre- and post- evaluation activities and application of learnings in future promotions, results of plan vs actual variances and establishment of learning sjointly with account teams

·       Forecasting done by category by customer

·       Drive TTS savings agenda

·       Monitoring, analysis, control and forecasting of contractual spend

·       Drive the Controls within the CDF Function

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

Experiences & Qualifications

• 3 - 5 years Commercial Finance experience (FMCG industry preferred)
• BCom Degree – Financial / Accounting
• CA or CIMA qualified

Skills

• Advanced Excel, Strong SAP & Powerpoint skills & knowledge, strong analytical & governance skills 

Leadership

• You are energized by delivering fantastic results. You are an example to others – both your results and your resilience. You are constantly on the lookout for better ways to do things, engaging and collaborating with others along the way.
• As an individual you are the one responsible for your own wellbeing and delivering high standards of work. You must also focus on the Consumer and what they need. You are humble and have your head up, looking around to interpret evidence and data smartly, spot issues and opportunities to make things better.

Unilever Behaviors

• Care Deeply: We care deeply about how consumers experience our brands every day, everywhere; about our people’s growth and development, and our impact on the planet. We care about our performance, to a point where it hurts when we don’t win.
• Focus on What Counts: We ruthlessly prioritise what truly matters, and so do fewer things brilliantly. We set clear goals & direction and recognise others for maximum impact.
• Stay Three Steps Ahead: We think boldly and creatively to make breakthroughs in performance. We are always curious and confident - anticipating and staying ahead of consumer needs and external trends, to beat the competition.
• Deliver with Excellence: We deliver excellence in what we do at pace. We take personal ownership and hold each other to account – always finding a way to do what we said we will do.

Unilever is an equal opportunities employer and committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.  We are intentional in employing the best talent that reflects the demographics of our country and which will help build representation of currently under-represented groups. We therefore invite applications from all candidates representing diversity of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief. When appointing potential candidates, the South African Employment Equity and Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Legislation will be considered.  

We are required by law to verify your ability to work lawfully in South Africa. If you are applying as a foreign national, please note that you may be requested to provide supporting documents supporting this.

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.