Head of Finance Ice Cream ANZ

Who we are?

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 over $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.   

A job at Unilever is a career made by you, with development opportunities, benefits and a working culture that embraces diversity and is pioneering flexibility. There’s no better time to join our team!  

Job Summary

The Europe/ANZ Ice Cream Business Unit contributes ca 40% to the global Ice Cream 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 Ice Cream 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 CFO Australia & New Zealand has end to end responsibility for top and bottom-line delivery for the local operating companies in Australia & New Zealand, with full P&L, Balance Sheet and Cash ownership. The role will focus on execution of the BU strategy in the market and drive both Value Creation and Transformation. There will be a key role in taking over and setting up CD Finance (both In Home and out of Home), FET capabilities and Controllership / Stewardship for the new legal entity in scope. It will be critical to ensure business continuity during the separation and establishment process. There will be a team of direct Finance reports (including the Factory Finance Controller) and there is local Australia statutory responsibility.

The role will report to the EU/ANZ Ice Cream CFO and will be part of the EU/ANZ IC Finance Leadership Team.

Role Responsibilities:

Business Performance

• Delivering the in-year Profit & Loss, driving and shaping business performance.
• Performance analysis and interventions for delivery of in-year financial targets.
• Setting the longer term strategic plan and lead the financial inputs/outputs of Integrated Business Plan.
• Support commercial decision making for both In Home and Out Of Home CD teams.
• Lead the local Finance Excellence Team (FET) for Cash Up, Overheads and BMI control.
• Responsible for Factory controlling and SC Finance activities.
• Responsible for end to end Cash delivery of the stand alone Ice Cream company.

Value Creation

• Ensure strong Forecast accuracy and land Finance transformation initiatives.
• Drive Fuel for Growth (5S savings, NRM, ZBB and return on marketing investment).
• Drive strong decision making around resource allocation and budget setting.

Stewardship

• Balance sheet and control framework ownership for the new legal entities, including statutory responsibilities.
• TTS budget control, Rebate and Overdue management for both IH and OOH.
• Taking over the FET activities for Ice Cream ANZ (cash up, overheads, BMI).

Leadership

• Lead the local Finance team members in the region including Factory Controller.
• Part of the Australia & New Zealand Leadership Team and EU/ANZ Finance LT.
• Support the establishment and set up of key processes in the countries.

What you will need to succeed:

Skills & Experience

• Professional qualification (CA/ACMA/MBA or equivalent).
• FMCG or comparable industry experience at Finance Director level.
• In-market experience of P&L delivery and balance sheet/control management.
• Excellent commercial acumen & strong business partnering credentials with a proven track record on delivery.
• Strong experience in managing in-market control framework, cash and stewardship.
• Understanding / exposure to SC Finance activities and Factory controlling.
• Exposure to key value creation initiatives such as NRM, Integrated Business Plan (IBP), Fuel For Growth (F4G).
• Financial forecasting and cash up exposure, with a track record in driving forecast accuracy.
• Strong leadership skills are essential, experience in leading large teams leading transformation.
• Experience managing a large and complex set of local and regional stakeholders.
• Experience in presenting to and communicating with senior Finance and non-Finance stakeholders.

Leadership

• You are now a Leader of Change. People look to you to provide safety in a storm, and you also appropriately challenge to get even better results. You role model resilience and care. You navigate these uncertain times by flexing plans and your leadership style, always with authenticity.
• You are still responsible for delivering to the highest standards. You must be resilient so you can lead others to deliver with passion through uncertainty and create opportunities through the core and beyond. You must be able to flex your style and your plans to guide others through difficult times.

What awaits you at Unilever Ice Cream?

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!

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.