Manager, Parent & Holding, Ice Cream​ 

Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Local conditions apply 

If you are in the Unilever Ice Cream business or are considering working for the Unilever ice Cream business, you will work for the global, leading Ice Cream player with €8bn Turn Over in 2023. The Ice Cream business is operating in a highly attractive category, as we are part of the 1 trillion snacking and refreshment industry, growing consistently at high pace. We have strong brands equities: 5 of the top 10 selling brands including Wall’s, Magnum, Ben &Jerry’s. 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 are committed to developing and nurturing talent within our Ice Cream company. You will have ample options for career growth and exploration, allowing you to explore roles and opportunities across the new organisation. Your career development will be a priority for us, and we are dedicated to supporting your growth journey within the new company.

We hope that you will want to build the new chapter of our Ice Cream history together with us.

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 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!

See appendix if you want to know more about the Ice Cream Finance North Star, showing our vision, goals and proposition in more detail.

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE?

Key Responsibilities include the following:

• Monthly group Reporting : Monthly internal and external reporting for consolidation and statutory purpose split into Inter-Company, Dividends, Royalty, overall Financial performance and support for any queries

• Manage Annual Statutory Audit : Coordinating & Managing the statutory audit of 10+ legal entities in both Netherlands & United Kingdom in line with the local GAAP (Dutch GAAP/UK 101).

• Acquisitions and Mergers: Preparation of accounting roadmaps for acquisitions, divestments and internal restructurings including oversight for group minority investments

• Annual Report: Company statements, Equity schedule, Group notes: Acquisitions and divestments, Interests in Entities.

• FX Mitigation: Device strategies to manage Forex exposure for all exposures

• IFRS Expertise: Be the Centre of Excellence & work alongside team leader to ensure smooth sign off from senior stakeholders including regional directors and Global teams for IFRS reporting.

• Impairment assessment: Check for impairment analysis for Intangible and Investments

• Inter-Company Reconciliation : As a holding company, ensure all the balances maintained with subsidiaries are reconciled on timely basis

• Share based Accounting : Manage share based accounting for all employees in line with IFRS 2 and the relevant Dutch GAAP

Continuous Improvement:

• Drive efficiencies in areas of Process improvement including areas like Robotic Process Automation, Power BI and also, Digital transformation

• Collaborate on process improvements in financial reporting, automation, and data integrity initiatives, leveraging technology to enhance efficiency.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

Experiences & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field.

• Professional accounting qualification (ACCA or similar).

• Minimum 10 years of experience in finance function, with relevant experience in financial accounting and reporting.  

• Expertise of Dutch GAAP and IFRS;

Skills:

• Local GAAP and Regulatory knowledge: Take responsibility for the financial reporting to be made for Parent and Holding reporting under Dutch GAAP, IFRS, UK 101 and on statutory audit process; Understand Dutch Regulations for Statutory Reporting and local tax knowledge relevant for Parent & Holding entity as well. Meet high standards of quality and expectations in delivery to our auditors, regulatory and senior stakeholders.

• Team Management skills : Drive and motivate the team to perform at high levels of performance

• Collaboration with Opco Controllers: to provide subject matter expertise for one or more country specific skills related to language or accounting knowledge.

• To ensure the integrity of financial systems and the financial operating model, in accordance with financial procedures, external audit requirements and best accounting practice.

• Implement and ensure standardization: best practice from other jurisdictions to maximize efficiency

Must have competencies

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think strategically and align financial goals with business objectives.

• Attention to Detail: High level of accuracy and attention to detail in financial reporting and analysis.

• Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to changing business environments and manage multiple priorities.

• Collaboration: Strong collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

• Decision-Making: Sound decision-making skills, particularly under pressure and in complex scenarios.

• Innovation: Ability to drive innovation in financial processes and reporting.

• Ethical Judgment: Strong ethical judgment and integrity in handling financial information.

Key Interactions

• Group Controller team

• Tax and Treasury Team

• Country reporting teams

• Global business office (operating centres)

• Investor Relations

• External Auditor

WHAT DOES UNILEVER OFFER/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, 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%-60% 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.   

ARE YOU EXCITED TO CRAFT THE ICE CREAM FUTURE?

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.

Disclaimer

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