BG FET Cost Control & Investment Lead

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE: Finance Excellence Teams (FETs) are a core pillar within the Unilever Finance Operating Model. The Business Group FET directly business partners the marketing teams across 3 core areas, Innovation Planning & Performance, Cost Control Management, and Information Management. Working within the FET provides ambitious individuals with the opportunity to work in a Global team, develop team leadership and stakeholder management skills, and gain exposure to the strategies and priorities of all five Business Groups.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own and continuously develop all Cost Control and Investment-related tools, including EasyBudget, PowerBI dashboards, Automation RPA Bots, Degreed Pathway, EasyAnswer, FET Training Hub.

• Drive process innovation for Cost Control & Investment, including leading on automation, standardization, and simplification of end-to-end processes.

• Develop and deliver all Cost Control and Investment related training for global finance and marketing teams.

• Lead all operational processes (IO & PO creation, actuals/ forecast/ masterdata update, GRIR review), ensuring timely and accurate reporting of BMI & Overheads.

• Organise and lead the annual Category Investment Planning (CIP) with all 5 BGs.

• Ensure stakeholders are updated with reporting timeline (forecast/ actuals), key actions and watchouts, FET news and progress via periodic comms/ newsletters

• Partner with the I&A team to define and develop Cost Control and Investment analytics that will equip the BG Finance partners to deliver performance-changing insights to the business.

• Lead and coach a team of 3 direct reports in the Cost Control and Investment Expertise Pillar.

KEY INTERACTIONS:

The role will interface with the following stakeholders:

• BG & BU Marketing Team

• BG & BU Finance Business Partners

• Global FET Team

• RPA Automation Teams

• Infosys service providers

• EasyBudget Developer

• UniOps IT Support Team

• UniOps I&A Team

REQUIREMENTS:

• Strong performer with a bias for action to align and resolve issues timely

• Good understanding of analytical and automation tools like PowerBI, excel macros, RPA bots

• Strong data management and manipulation capabilities

• Strength in holding others accountable

• Strong engagement and relationship-building skills

• Excellent communication skills

• Ability to manage large and complex set of stakeholders

• Experience in presenting and communicating with senior stakeholders

• Pro-active team player