Supply Chain Finance Cost Management Lead at Unilever Sandhurst, La Lucia

💼 Leadership Opportunity: Supply Chain Finance Cost Management Lead

Job Purpose

The Supply Chain Finance Cost Management Lead is a key member of the Southern Africa SC Finance Leadership team, responsible for driving the controls and savings agenda with a primary focus on production sites (factories and 3rd-Party manufacturers).

This role is critical for:

1. Maintaining strong accounting controls aligned with Unilever’s Global Financial Controls Framework (GFCF).
2. Providing financial insights that drive a cost-competitive, agile Supply Chain organization, directly impacting SC P&L and Balance Sheet lines.
3. Leading Sourcing Unit cost optimization, delivering the Net Productivity agenda, and driving down waste.

Key Responsibilities

Your main responsibilities will be split across Control/Compliance, Cost Optimization, and Business Partnering:

I. Financial Controls & Compliance

• Control Assessment: Assess the adequacy of existing controls in SC, particularly factory and 3P operations, and develop efficient controls in line with GFCF.
• Material Usage: Maintain robust material usage controls and engage with operational teams to drive action and accountability for material usage variances.
• Stock & Claims: Monitor 3P stock losses and ensure timely claims for losses above annual thresholds. Ensure SOX-compliant stock controls.
• Reporting Integrity: Ensure robust forecasting and controls over savings reported on systems (SRS/Prism). Ensure timely and accurate reporting and adherence to the Unilever Standard Chart of Accounts.
• Approval Authority: Ensure journals, write-offs, and provisions are done in accordance with the Schedule of Authority.

II. Cost Optimization & Business Performance

• Net Productivity: Drive the delivery of reduction in Cost Per Ton (Net Productivity) across all Supply Chain costs.
• Waste Reduction: Lead the business waste reduction program for factory and 3P sites.
• Capital Expenditure: Review, challenge, and monitor Capital Expenditure Proposals (CEP) against the annual budget.
• Project Support: Participate in transformation project squads/teams, providing financial insights required to deliver key projects and maximise appropriate government incentives.
• Continuous Improvement: Lead continuous improvement and automation initiatives within SC Finance and at production sites to improve efficiency and cost optimization.
• Benchmarking: Assist in benchmarking activities to ensure the competitiveness of SC costs.

III. Supplier Management & Decision Support

• Supplier Spend: Monitor and analyse production spend by supplier across all sites, performing variance analysis (Budget/Forecast vs Actuals).
• Contract Compliance: Analyze supplier spend against Service Level Agreements (SLA) to ensure compliance to contract terms and monitor pricing movements.
• System Integrity: Ensure SAP stock errors are understood and corrected.
• Forecasting & Insight: Drive and coordinate the forecasting process (budget, financial forecasts) and provide accurate, relevant business insights using designated best practice tools.

IV. Talent & Leadership

• Team Oversight: Oversee the SC Cost Management Accountant, supporting task prioritization and barrier resolution.
• Strategic Direction: Contribute to the strategic direction of the SC organization as a member of the SC Finance Leadership Team.
• Talent Development: Drive the talent development agenda within SC Finance.

Candidate Profile

Experience & Qualifications

• Qualification: Professional qualification in accountancy (CA or CIMA).
• Experience: Previous experience in Supply Chain or Factory Finance is required.
• Technical Skills: Advanced Microsoft Excel, SAP PM/FI and PA knowledge is desirable. Must be a “Digital native”.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Analytical: Strong analytical capabilities with a bias to drive action.
• Leadership & Influence: Ability to steer conversations and influence stakeholders.
• Agility: Agility and proactivity with the ability to prioritise effectively and communicate clearly.
• Stakeholder Management: Exceptional stakeholder management skills, strong work ethic, and resilience.
• SC Finance Acumen: Deep understanding or ability to quickly grasp financial principles in the end-to-end Supply Chain to identify and drive value-creating choices.
• Resilience: Ability to handle and work under pressure to meet tight deadlines.

Unilever Standards of Leadership (SOL) Highlights

This role requires a leader who demonstrates:

• PERSONAL MASTERY: Setting high standards and demonstrating emotional intelligence.
• PASSION FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE: Driving intensity, delivering results at speed, and taking personal accountability.
• TALENT CATALYST: Investing in people, coaching for full potential, and fostering an inclusive climate.
• PURPOSE & SERVICE: Demonstrating humility and understanding that leadership is service to others.
• BUSINESS ACUMEN: Creating sustainable growth with purpose.