Finance Director: Supply Chain Africa at Unilever

MAIN JOB PURPOSE
The Finance Director, Supply Chain Africa is at the heart of driving both short and long-term performance across the Supply Chain in Africa.The role is highly visible to multiple senior leaders across Finance and the Supply Chain both in Africa and at a global level and provides a unique opportunity for an experienced and high-potential WL3 ( Senior Management )to gain a deep understanding of the African supply chain and the financial choices across its full end-to-end scope.As well as driving in-year target delivery, the role provides ample opportunity to impact key elements of the longer-term strategy including the impact of technology on the Supply Chain.
This role reports into the VP Finance Africa and key contacts and stakeholders are as follows:

• Africa VP SC
• Africa VPSC’s in African MCO’s
• Africa VPF/FD’s in MCO’s
• Procurement Finance
• Plantations Teams
• EVP Africa and the Africa Leadership Team
• VPF Global Supply Chain and the wider Global Supply Chain team
  Key Accountabilities

JOB SUMMARY

Performance Management

• Lead the performance management process for the Africa Supply Chain and Plantations business covering all aspects of performance (both financial and non-financial) and engaging with a wide group of Supply Chain Leaders across the continent.Overall responsibility for driving the monthly performance management cycle, including:
• Monthly accountability calls with 4 ( Multi Country Organizations)- MCO’s and Plantations
• Preparation and presentation of Africa results along with the Head of Africa SC to CSCO and his Leadership Team
• Participation in monthly calls between Africa VPF and the African MCO’s
• Ad hoc presentation and representation of SC performance in various African and category meetings

Driving Value from Supply Chain Costs

• Leadership of cost optimisation work in all areas of the €300m of Africa Supply Chain controlled costs, including:
• Restructuring of the overall supply chain network
• Production, including World Class Manufacturing
• Logistics, including ZBB (Zero Based Budgeting) Logistics
• Supply Chain Overheads, including C4G (Connected for Growth)
• Business Waste (including material waste)
• Business Partner the Procurement Teams helping to:
• Accelerate the localisation agenda for Africa to de-dollarise the cost base
• Maximise all elements of the materials savings agenda

Financial Management of the Plantations

• Direct Financial Leadership for the four plantations under Unilever control in the Region
• Unilever Tea Kenya
• Unilever Tea Tanzania
• Unilever Tea Rwanda
• Twifo palm oil plantation Ghana

Leading Talent & Teams: Skills/Experience

• Lead diverse team of direct reports (3*WL2 (Managers) in South Africa plus 4 * WL2(Managers) Plantation Finance Managers)
• Provide Indirect Leadership and Support to 5*WL2 (Managers) Supply Chain Financial Heads of Country across the rest of Africa
• Lead training initiatives at a global level for key areas of skill in supply chain finance
• Develop succession planning and career progression plans for the team
• Membership of the global Supply Chain Finance Leadership Team
• Membership of the Africa Finance Leadership Team

SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:

• An experienced WL3 (Senior Managers) individual with a proven track record of being effective in a complex operating environment and driving business performance
• Strong communication and influencing skills
• Objectivity and integrity in the face of challenge; courage and personal resilience
• Ability to build networks and manage multiple senior stakeholders
• Understanding and ability to quickly grasp financial principles in the end-to-end Supply Chain, identify and drive relevant value-creating choices and decisions
• Leadership of change – the ability to drive change management initiatives, staying close to best practices and relevant external developments
• Driving efficiency and effectiveness in the performance management cycle, working with Supply Chain, Supply Chain Finance and ETS – Enterprise and Technology Solutions
• Team leadership and talent development
• The applicant must be a qualified accountant, ideally with prior significant supply chain experience
• Future Fit skills and high levels of Insights and Analytical thinking

NOTE
Unilever is an equal opportunities employer and committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. We are intentional in employing the best talent that reflect the demographics of our country. We therefore invite applications from all candidates representing diversity of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief. When appointing potential candidates, the South African Employment Equity and Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Legislation will be considered.
We are required by law to verify your ability to work lawfully in South Africa. If you are applying as a Foreign National, please note that you may be requested to provide supporting documents supporting this.
Location South Africa-Gauteng-Johannesburg-Atholl Towers