Supply Chain Procurement Accountant at Unilever

JOB PURPOSE

• The Supply Chain Procurement Accountant plays a critical role in safeguarding and optimizing business profitability by managing the financial impact of material cost drivers across the value chain. This position is responsible for analysing and controlling cost fluctuations arising from global commodity price movements, foreign exchange volatility, and material usage efficiencies through Design-to-Value initiatives. The role ensures competitive procurement by benchmarking against industry peers, driving value chain strategies to secure favourable material pricing, and managing fixed infrastructure costs associated with cost that are outside of standard material pricing.
• Additionally, the position oversees the financial implications of global commodity hedging activities, sustainability programs, and waste reduction efforts during production. By providing accurate cost visibility, saving initiatives, actionable insights, and strategic recommendations, the Supply Chain Procurement Accountant enables informed decision-making that supports margin improvement, cost competitiveness, and long-term business resilience.

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

Key Responsibilities

Cost Analysis & Reporting

• Monitor and report material price changes driven by commodity market movements and forex fluctuations.
• Track and analyze the impact of global commodity hedging gains/losses on procurement costs.
• Provide monthly and quarterly cost variance analysis for procurement-related expenses.
• Tracking PPV, Savings and MUV monthly and adjusting business forecast by Business Group.

Value Chain & Cost Optimization

• Partner with Procurement, R&D and supply chain teams to implement Design-to-Value initiatives, material usage savings and material price standards.
• Support value chain strategies to secure better material prices and benchmark against competitors.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction through inbound logistics and infrastructure optimization to reduce costs outside of material prices.

Sustainability & Waste Reduction

• Assess and report the financial impact of global sustainability initiatives on material costs.
• Monitor and quantify savings from waste reduction during production processes.

Forecasting & Budgeting

• Develop accurate forecasts for material costs considering commodity trends, FX rates, and hedging positions.
• Support annual budgeting and long-term planning for procurement-related costs.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure adherence to financial controls and compliance standards in procurement accounting.
• Maintain accurate documentation for internal reporting by Business Group/Category for month end & quarterly forecast financial reviews.

Invoice & Credit Note Management

• Manage the review and validation of sundry invoice collections to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Oversee the outsourced offshore team responsible for:
• Processing credit notes for material returns.
• Executing writebacks of accruals for material receipts older than six months.

Experiences & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance
• Professional accounting qualification (CIMA/CA) would be highly advantageous
• A solid foundation in supply chain accounting and cost management.
• 2 years of experience in analyzing material variances, commodity market trends, and implementing saving strategies.

Skills

• Advanced Microsoft Excel, SAP knowledge desirable
•  Self-starting & proactive mind-set
• Highly agile and proactive, with proven ability to prioritize effectively, communicate clearly, and influence stakeholders across functions.
• Strong team player
• Skilled at steering conversations to achieve alignment and deliver outcomes under pressure, both independently and collaboratively, while meeting tight deadlines.
• Combines technical expertise with strong time management and problem-solving skills to support cost optimization and enhance supply chain performance
• Demonstrates exceptional analytical capabilities with a strong bias for action, ensuring timely and accurate insights that drive business decisions.