Ice Cream – Logistics Finance Manager Europe

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

UNILEVER IS LOOKING FOR AN ICE CREAM – Logistics Finance Manager Europe

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:

The Europe/Australia New Zealand Ice Cream Business Unit contributes ca 40% to the global IC business and has the ambition to accelerate underlying sales growth whilst stepping up underlying operating profit growth and ROIC. The ambition requires a high level of value creation, transformation and process re-design, which will be part of the new company establishment journey. The IC Finance function plays a pivotal role - supporting strategic business decisions, providing relentless focus on the cash and value, while setting up a strong stewardship function in a highly volatile environment.

The European Logistic Finance Manager will manage ca 300mE of annual Logistic spend, working closely with the Ice Cream Logistics, Customer-Service & Planning Teams. Key deliverable is to set up the Logistic Finance activities for the dedicated Ice Cream company across the countries in Europe. Key capabilities to be established include forecasting, analysis, benchmarking, savings partnering & realization and establishing the financial control framework. The role will work closely with the SCFS logistics teams located in Katowice, Poland that supports all IC European Finance activities across Transport, Warehousing & Overheads. A key aspect of this position is to ensure seamless Logistic Finance operations during periods of transition and organizational change. The role will report to the SC Finance Director for Ice Cream Europe.

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

• Set up Logistic Finance function & operating model for all countries in Europe

• Establish robust & efficient logistic finance processes to ensure accuracy of actual results & forecast;

• Drive insightful analytics of monthly logistics results by working closely SCFS & Logistics teams;

• Craft action plans with the logistics colleagues and provide visibility on its financial impact;

• Provide input for business cases and support in the design of EU logistics transformational projects;

• Monitor the logistics efficiencies and ensure a clear link between operational KPIs and financial results by making use of internal & external transport benchmarks;

• Detailed analysis of the operational trends and correlate with financial trends to support an impactful logistics business plan;

• Provide support in the relevant tendering processes;

• Support the planning team with review, timelines and processes with the countries and be able to clarify all variances in the sales and production forecasts.

• Support the central SC finance team on the cyclical financial processes (e.g. forecasting and annual business planning);

• Adequately support BG Finance teams, especially in reporting, result controlling and performance management.

• Ensure compliance to relevant elements of Financial Control Framework;

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO SUCCEED

Skills & Experience

• Minimum 6 years’ experience in Finance roles (Controlling, Performance management & FMCG industry experience is preferred)

• E2E understanding of Cost / P&L with hands-on experience brought from previous roles

• Several years of experience in Finance logistics, also on strategic level, being capable of setting up new organization in place

• Strong Forecasting understanding and proven track record in process optimizations

• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously in a highly VUCA environment

• Experience managing a large, complex and senior set of stakeholders with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.

• Business acumen – rapidly absorbs new information; applies new techniques, technology and procedures to drive efficiencies in daily operation;

• Analytical thinking, problem solving attitude – ability to combine multiple and different data point to draw conclusions; apply systematic approach to identify and eliminate root causes; identify problem solution;

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.   

• 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.