Finance Manager: Reporting and Information & Analytics at Unilever

Purpose of the Role

• This role plays a key role in the company’s corporate management accounting systems (incl governance and controls, budgeting, planning & reporting and management of business performance.)
• Managing MR and Forecast deliverables for Southern Africa both Local and Global Submissions
• This role is also key in driving the I&A digital agenda within finance.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage monthly/quarterly/year – end close process, reporting to the cluster and centre. Operate Financial controls in line with the Global Financial Controls Framework (GFCF), variance to budget analysis and preparation of board materials.
• Ensure accurate preparation of analysis of monthly/quarterly results for the executive team
• Minutes and actions of the monthly results sign off
• Prepare and Review Presentation for total company (International Visitors, Townhalls, Global)
• Consolidation of Quarterly CEO update
• Maintain integrity of complex historical data
• Develop and maintain robust business planning and performance monitoring process for enhanced analysis, modelling and forecasting for business leaders.
• Develop and maintain library of information and Analytics reports on one-view in collaboration with ETS I&A – drive adoption.
• Maintain alignment across all reporting systems SAP, BW, GCUT and Ifinance
• Proactively initiate develop and maintain effective working relationships with business partners (Global, Cluster, ZALT, Divisions, Functions FET and own team.
• Business partner Southern Africa director on reporting matters
• Update financials on Income statement commentary file for variance analysis
• Assist with landing successful SEA integration in reporting space
• Tea disposal (June onward) – ensure this is executed with minimal disruption to reporting.

I&A

• Member of the simplification/ automation committee to help drive and land the Finance Digital Agenda
• Partner with the business including I&A and offshore teams including the team in Bangalore to accelerate digital, RPA and other cognitive capabilities

Reporting

• Responsible for accurate submissions to Cluster and Global actuals and forecast, maintaining a good reporting score.
• Through ensuring respective submissions for Southern Africa are submitted for each of the below on time and accurately by the team:
• Flash Turnover
• V200 actual reports
• V220 Customer
• V540 GMVA
• Forecast GMVA (Quarterly)
• Monthly Forecast P&L
• Review and ensure timeous and accurate delivery of board pre-read IC sheets and post board IC sheets for sign off
• Commentary for Africa/ Global variance analysis on the actual month performance
• Provide Total company GMVA to SC teams

Other Adhoc

• MDG approvals
• Trintech approvals
• Owner of SAP access approvals
• Supplier payments of AMEX/DHL/Aramex
• CD Reporting, at a customer level
• Adhoc SCOA changes and year end restatements
• Reporting system issues – BW, GCUT, Ifinance
• Information for decision support to the business
• P&L reports for auditors

Knowledge

What qualifications, skills, knowledge, understanding, experience and/or training are necessary to perform the role?

• Degree plus professional qualification (CA/ACMA or equivalent)
• Leadership skills, ability to lead a team
• Strong organisational and prioritisation skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with key stakeholders
• Ability to present complex information in a simplified manner and clearly explain Finance concepts to non-Finance stakeholders
• Direct Responsibility for budgeting, forecasting and quarterly reporting.
• Strong Analytical skills and ability to communicate analytical findings both verbally (in meetings) and in written form (through formal presentations)
• Strong initiative and ability to work
• Ability to work under pressure and late hour over the month end reporting period
• SAP, GCUT, Ifinance experience