ICE CREAM - Global Procurement Finance Lead

Note: Deadline for applying is 23.59 the day before the Job Posting End Date.

UNILEVER IS LOOKING FOR AN ICE CREAM – Global Procurement Finance Lead

Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Full-time   

Local conditions apply  

For the recruitment of this position, we would like to emphasize that local conditions apply to the position and for this vacancy in principle we will consider candidates based in the set locations. If you are based outside of these locations and you are interested to apply, please feel free to do so but at this stage we will not take your application forward. We will only consider your application if a decision is made to also recruit outside of the set locations.

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.    

We want our business to flourish, and we know that our success depends on others flourishing around us. That's why our purpose is to make sustainable living commonplace, and why sustainable, long-term growth is at the heart of our business model.   

ABOUT ICE CREAM: Life Tastes Better With Ice Cream

 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 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 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!

JOB PURPOSE:

As IC Global Procurement Finance Leader, you will be the financial partner to procurement function, ensuring strategy and spend are backed by insightful financial planning and analysis. Your role is crucial in supporting buying strategies, managing impact of inflation on Materials costs and driving efficiencies in the Portfolio. By working closely with procurement you will co-lead initiatives that drive gross margin delivery and propel our business forward.

Join us and be the visionary who transforms financial data into actionable insights, fostering innovation and excellence in our procurement processes. Your expertise will be the cornerstone of our success, ensuring we achieve our ambitious goals with precision and efficiency. Be a part of our journey to financial brilliance and strategic innovation!

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Net Material Cost Inflation Management and Analysis:

• Forecast net material inflation, drive savings agenda.

• Lead and coordinate material price forecasting and transfer pricing processes with PFET, power of one procurement, hubs.

• Partner Procurement and SC lead in setting materials savings targets, inflation mitigation plans to deliver targets.

• Prepare robust analysis of material cost variance versus prior year and forecast and drive high forecast accuracy.

• Monitor, challenge and report Suso investments

Saving agenda:

• Implement cost reduction strategies and define targets for savings

• Track savings delivery and impact on financial performance.

Supplier Management:

• Evaluate and manage financial performance of Global suppliers.

• Conduct financial assessments of potential suppliers and support negotiate favourable terms.

• Collaborate with procurement teams to ensure alignment with financial goals.

Performance Monitoring:

• Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for all procurement activities.

• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide insights to drive improvements.

• Ensure procurement activities are aligned with overall business objectives.

Strategic Support:

• Support strategic procurement initiatives with financial analysis and modelling.

• Provide financial insights to support decision-making on Global supplier selection and contract negotiations.

• Participate in cross-functional teams to drive procurement optimization.

Risk Management:

• Identify and mitigate financial risks related to procurement activities.

• Provide support for internal and external audit requirements.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Work closely with procurement, finance, SC Heads and other departments to ensure cohesive operations.

• Communicate financial performance and insights to stakeholders.

• Provide training and support to procurement teams on financial processes and tools.

Systems and Processes:

• Oversee the implementation and maintenance of financial systems related to procurement activities.

• Drive process improvements and automation initiatives to enhance efficiency.

• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.

People management

• Ensure team members have the required skills and competencies to do their roles through providing support, coaching, development and mentoring.

• Responsible to create a collaborative working environment within and across the team and supporting functions.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

Experiences & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, Supply Chain Management, or related field; MBA or professional certification (e.g., CPA, CMA) preferred.

• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in finance, with preferrable experience of at least 2 years in procurement Finance.

• Strong knowledge of financial planning, analysis, and cost management.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Proficiency in financial modelling and ERP systems.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

• Leadership experience and ability to manage cross-functional teams.

Must have competencies

• Financial Acumen
• Analytical Thinking
• Strategic Vision
• Communication Skills
• Problem Solving
• Collaboration
• Leadership
• Adaptability

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?

 Unilever is the place where you can be yourself and bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. We offer an exciting & dynamic work environment where you can make things happen. Furthermore, we offer some great reward and benefits!   

• Attractive total remuneration package; excellent company pension, bonus and share scheme.  

• Flexible cross-disciplinary career opportunities and a wealth of training opportunities & wellbeing resources whenever and wherever.   

• Plenty of company-paid holidays to further ensure your work-life balance is maintained.   

• We encourage an inclusive culture, which comes to life with interchangeable public holidays, paid paternity leave of 6 weeks and our transgender policy.   

• Under the Hybrid Working principles, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 40% in the office or at customers, suppliers or partners to connect and collaborate.  For the time you work from home, we will ensure you are well equipped. When you are at the office , you can enjoy our tasty canteen with prepped food and own products. 

• Informal culture and being the first one trying our new products.    

• My Fitness Plan (reduction on your Fitness Subscription).  

• Home work allowance 

• Company laptop and mobile phone 

• Green Mobility Policy 

EXCITED?

Join Unilever and our team! To apply, you must do so online. Please do not forget to upload your CV and a motivation letter.  Your application will be reviewed against our requirements and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date to provide you with an update on the status of your application.  

Looking forward to meeting you!    

Please note this is a Direct Search led by Unilever. Applications from agencies will not be accepted, nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs.   

Equal Opportunity Employer: Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, parenthood, pregnancy or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against.

By highlighting the gender diversity at the workplace, Unilever encourages women equally men to apply. If you look for a job after a long career break or after any type of leave, do not hesitate to apply.

NOTE: Please save a copy of this vacancy for personal use as it will disappear from the website after closing of the role.