Customer Development Finance - Lead

Job Title: Customer Development Finance Lead – Australia
Location: North Rocks, Sydney
Reports to: Chief Financial Officer – ANZ
Business Function: Finance
Direct Reports: CD Finance Analyst
Key Partner: Head of Sales – Australia
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Business Context
The Customer Development (CD) Finance Lead – Australia is a critical leadership role within the ANZ Finance team, focused exclusively on partnering with the Customer Development function to drive profitable growth. This role is responsible for delivering financial leadership across the CD agenda, with a focus on Net Revenue Management (NRM), Gross Margin improvement, and Customer Profitability. The role partners closely with the Head of Sales – Australia and is a key member of the CD and Finance leadership teams.
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Main Purpose of the Role

• Provide strategic finance leadership to the Customer Development function in Australia.

• Drive value creation through commercial insight, performance management, and financial stewardship.

• Lead the financial planning, forecasting, and performance tracking for CD.

• Optimize trade investments and pricing strategies to maximize Net Revenue and Gross Margin.

• Manage and develop finance talent, including direct line management of a GTM Finance Analyst.

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Key Responsibilities
Area Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Forecasting

• Lead the development of robust financial plans and forecasts aligned with CD strategies and business targets.

Performance Management

• Drive volume and market share growth while ensuring profitability. Identify risks and opportunities, and implement corrective actions.

Net Revenue Management (NRM)

• Lead pricing and promotional strategies to optimize NRM and deliver sustainable value.

Customer Profitability

• Analyze customer P&Ls, drive improvements in customer and channel profitability, and support Joint Business Planning (JBP).

Trade Spend Optimization

• Ensure effective allocation and ROI of Trade Terms Spend (TTS), including post-promotion evaluations and TTS savings initiatives.

Business Partnering

• Act as a trusted advisor to the CD leadership team, influencing strategic decisions with financial insight.

Team Leadership

• Manage and develop direct report, fostering a high-performance and inclusive team culture.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Sales, CSP, Marketing, Supply Chain) and represent CD Finance in ANZ leadership forums.

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Key Relationships

• ANZ CFO and Finance Leadership Team

• Head of Sales – Australia (Ben Jacob)

• Customer Development Leadership Team

• Customer Strategy & Planning (CSP), Marketing, and Supply Chain teams

• Global and Regional Finance stakeholders

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Key Performance Indicators

• Net Revenue Growth

• Gross Margin Improvement (bps)

• Customer Profitability Metrics

• Trade Spend Efficiency (TTS ROI)

• Forecast Accuracy

• Team Development & Engagement

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Candidate Profile
Qualifications & Experience:

• Chartered Accountant (CA/CPA/CIMA/ACCA) or MBA qualified.

• 8+ years of experience in commercial finance or business partnering roles, preferably in FMCG.

• Proven experience in Customer Development or Sales Finance, including P&L ownership and trade spend management.

• Strong track record of influencing senior stakeholders and driving financial performance.

Key Skills:

• Commercial acumen and strategic thinking

• Strong analytical and Excel modeling skills

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management

• Resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving ability

• Leadership and coaching capabilities

• Ability to simplify complex financial data for decision-making

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Standards of Leadership
The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Business Acumen – Understands the drivers of value and uses financial insight to shape strategy.

• Passion for High Performance – Sets ambitious goals and delivers results with excellence.

• Agility – Adapts quickly to changing business needs and market dynamics.

• Personal Mastery – Leads self and others with integrity, curiosity, and a growth mindset.

What awaits you at Unilever?

The core of Unilever’s culture is captured as Human, Purposeful, Accountable. You will be joining a dynamic, flexible, and inspiring work environment that truly cares about your wellbeing, values what you do and celebrates your success.

This is your opportunity to be part of a purpose-led business and a global community where you can progress your career both locally and internationally. You will also benefit from amazing discounts on external company products, attractive employee referral reward program amongst other benefits.

This is a great opportunity to work within an iconic and global organization. We have gained our reputation as one of the world's most admired employers by providing an environment where individuals can achieve their goals, both professionally and personally.

Make no mistake we expect a lot from our people as they do of us. So, if you can rise to the challenge, don't waste any time - apply now!

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment journey. Should you require additional information or reasonable adjustments to allow you to present your best self during this process, please contact anz.talent@unilever.com.

Unilever is an organization 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.

This means we encourage people with all backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pacific Peoples, and people with disabilities. Interested in learning more, check out our Reconciliation Action Plan and Workplace Adjustment Policy on the Unilever webpage.

At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! We encourage you to advise us at the time of your application if you require any reasonable adjustment so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.

Unilever is an organization 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.

This means we encourage people with all backgrounds to apply, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Māori and Pacific Peoples, and people with disabilities.

At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! We encourage you to advise us at the time of your application if you require any reasonable adjustment so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.