Unilever Industrial Placement Programme - Finance - UK

ABOUT UNILEVER 

Unilever is one of the world's leading FMCG companies, home to iconic brands including Dove, Vaseline, TRESemmé, Lynx, Persil, Domestos, Surf, Radox, Sure and Liquid I.V. Through products used by millions of people every day, we help improve health, wellbeing, confidence and care around the world.  

Established over 100 years ago, Unilever has a proud heritage of innovation and a long-standing belief that great brands, great people and responsible business go hand in hand.  

Today, we are transforming into a faster, more focused growth company centred on Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care and Home Care. Through world-class brands, cutting-edge science and technology, digital innovation and AI-enabled capabilities, we are building unmissably superior products and experiences for consumers around the world.  

A career at Unilever offers the opportunity to work at global scale while helping shape the future of some of the world's most recognised brands. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, bringing curiosity, creativity and passion to solve real business challenges and make a meaningful impact every day.

*As we receive a high volume of applications, please make sure to read the job descriptions on our website carefully and apply for the ONE function you are most interested in. Only your first application will be considered*

What do we look for? 

It might come as a surprise, but we don’t have a specific discipline requirement, so you don’t have to have a background in finance or economics. We’re looking for strong analytical ability, ambition, a talent for influencing people, and a real desire to comprehend how a business operates and succeeds. Dedication and commitment go a long way.  

With a strong performance culture, challenging goals, and continuous feedback, we will help you in achieving your potential in an inclusive environment. You will thrive by gaining exposure to real business challenges where your energy and fresh thinking will have an impact. First-hand experience- it’s the fastest way to learn. 

Students must have completed the penultimate year of their undergraduate degree by the time they start their placement and be returning to study after their placement. 

Our Finance Industrial Placements are a chance to showcase your thinking and skills, with total encouragement from a line manager and a buddy.  

What could your day-to-day role include (depending on your role)? 

• Working in either a local or global role with a broad range of cross-functional stakeholders.  

• Driving performance by ensuring our resources are driving sustainable and profitable growth. 

• Analysing data to bring impactful insights to the business teams.  

• Developing communication and storytelling skills to translate finance for non-finance partners to drive meaningful actions. 

• Delivering short-term plans, whilst also working on the longer-term strategic horizon 

• Identify fuel for growth opportunities and drive them through to delivery. 

• Budgetary and controlling exposure.  

• Learn about our Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet and how we use these to make decisions 

• Learning how to use business tools such as Excel, Power BI, and PowerPoint to a professional standard. 

Some of our positions you could be allocated to include: 

• Global Finance Business Partner – Beauty & Wellbeing

• Finance Business Partner – Foods

• Personal Care Brand Finance

• Procurement Finance

Skills required include: 

• Accounting and Reporting

• Prioritisation

• Stakeholder management

• Effective communication

• Microsoft Office skills (Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint)

Please note, that at Unilever, we have development programmes, the skills below are skills that would be good to have at the beginning however you will develop them over the course of the 12 months.

Programme details 

Location:

Hybrid working with a minimum of 3 days required weekly at our London Blackfriars or Kingston office. 

Stage 3 – Digital Interview  

Complete a video interview.  

*Please note, we do not use AI as a screening tool in our recruitment process therefore, your digital interview submission will be reviewed by a real person*

Stage 4 – Pre-Screening Interview

Attend a virtual pre-screening interview with a member of our recruitment team. 

Stage 5 – In-Person Discovery Centre  

Attend an in-person discovery centre alongside fellow candidates. This will give you the opportunity to visit a Unilever office, meet and interview with business leaders, and work on function-related business challenges.

What Can Unilever offer YOU? 

• A competitive Salary of £27,898.00

• End of Placement Bonus  

• Subsidised Gym Memberships - availability varies by site

• Discounted Staff Shop 

• Opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.  

• 28 days (pro rata) of holiday inclusive of bank holidays. Once you have completed 12 worked weeks, under the Agency Workers Regulation your holiday entitlement will increase to 33 days inclusive of bank holidays, pro rata for the term of this placement.   

• Opportunity to join one of our Future Careers Development Teams such as Outreach, Digi, Community & Wellbeing and many more! By joining a team, you can grow business-critical skills, develop Unilever Behaviours, and make a meaningful contribution to Future Careers.

• A dedicated buddy to help you onboard and learn about the business. 

• An experienced Line Manager to develop your knowledge and understanding across the year.  

• Connections with the Graduates (UFLPs) who can share helpful tips on how to be successful at Unilever.  

To find out more about Future Careers at Unilever UK, check out our Instagram page!

At Unilever, diversity is about embracing differences, championing inclusion, creating possibilities, and growing together for better business performance. Join our vibrant and inclusive workplace that champions diversity and inclusion. 

We give full and fair consideration to all applicants, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity.  

We are a key advocate of well-being and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes, and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all.  

Do you require any adjustments in the application or assessment process?   

If you have any questions about your application, require reasonable adjustments to complete any part of the application process or wish to discuss any mitigating circumstances, please contact the Talent Acquisition team using the following details. If adjustments are required, the team will reach out to discuss available accessibility options. E.g., If required extending time spent in any ‘timebound’ assessments/interviews.   

*We also provide accessibility options such as magnifying glass, decrease/increase font size, change font & colour, screen ruler, screen mask for everyone who would require support.   

futurecareers.recruitment@unilever.com. 

How is Unilever tackling this?  

Many of Unilever’s recruitment sites publish a warning to candidates about recruitment fraud. The Cyber Security team also proactively scans for signs of people setting up fake Unilever sites and acts to close them down.  

What can I do?  

If you become aware of potential recruitment fraud, spot fake Unilever recruitment adverts or fake LinkedIn profiles, report them via Una Live Chat.  

Unilever does not accept responsibility or liability for any candidates who are financially impacted by recruitment fraud. Your vigilance is key!