Foods UK Country Controller

Earlier this year, Unilever announced an agreement to combine its Foods business with McCormick & Company, creating a scaled global flavour powerhouse. The proposed combination would bring together iconic Foods brands, including Hellmann’s and Knorr, with McCormick’s portfolio to create a global leader across spices, seasonings, condiments and complementary food categories, supported by strong retail and foodservice platforms. McCormick brings more than 135 years of heritage, a presence in 150+ countries and territories, and a portfolio of trusted brands. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, with completion estimated for mid-2027.

Role Purpose

The UKIFinancial Controller will be a core part of the UKI Foods Finance team. The controller leads local financial accounting and reporting, risk management and control, and internal & external assurance. The role will be integral in establishing and implementing new processes locally to meet reporting requirements for the new combined McCormick company, including complying with the reporting calendar, US GAAP accounting standards and SOX controls frameworks. The role manages two direct reports and is responsible for their continuous development: the UK analyst and Ireland controller.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Risk Management & Controls

• Ensure that the Financial Controls Framework is embedded and operated in line with the agreed global model, including driving the rollout of any changes required   

• Pro-actively lead the risk management agenda, ensuring high-quality risk assessments are conducted and risks are appropriately managed. 

• Understand root causes of issues and identify where controls are not operating and drive remediation through relevant business leaders. 

• Oversight over financial controls operated outside of Finance (e.g. Supply Chain) and drive focus on operational controls across the business 

• Maintain and enforce relevant local authority schedules 

Accounting & Reporting

• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting for both group and local statutory reporting 

• Continuously improve the quality of accounting and implement changes in group & local accounting standards, policies & procedures 

• Be the key point of contact for Reporting & Accounting Operations team on all accounting matters 

• Liaise with central Reporting & Accounting Operations team to implement and upskill local teams on changes to reporting, for example lease accounting under US GAAP  

Expertise Areas

• Active oversight of relevant local filings, enquiries, issue management  

• Third Party relationship management where delegated by the relevant Global Expertise team 

Internal & External Assurance

• Liaise with Corporate Audit & own any follow up actions 

• Owner of relationship with local external auditor 

Local Treasury Operations

• Provide oversight to Treasury operations to ensure compliance to the Global Treasury Standard 

• Manage local bank relations 

• Implement required standards of risk control and maintain insurance against risks specified in Global Insurance & Risk Control Standards 

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

• 5+ years of experience in Finance, with experience in business facing Finance roles and ideally some prior experience of controlling 

• Strong understanding of different areas of business 

• Qualification and/or experience in Accounting and reporting  

• Qualification and/or experience in SOX, audit or risk management  

• Understanding of local regulations relating to accounting and taxation 

• Experience in control, design and assessment of business operations effectiveness 

• Significant experience managing a large and complex set of stakeholders (including peers and 3rd parties) and holding others accountable 

• Significant experience in presenting to and communicating with senior Finance and non-Finance stakeholders 

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