ICE CREAM - Group Financial Accounting Manager

Note: Deadline for applying is 23.59 the day before the Job Posting End Date. 

UNILEVER IS LOOKING FOR AN ICE CREAM – GROUP FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Full-time   

Local conditions apply  

For the recruitment of this position, we would like to emphasize that local conditions apply to the position and for this vacancy in principle we will consider candidates based in the set locations. If you are based outside of these locations and you are interested to apply, please feel free to do so but at this stage we will not take your application forward. We will only consider your application if a decision is made to also recruit outside of the set locations. 

ABOUT UNILEVER  

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world.    

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.    

We want our business to flourish, and we know that our success depends on others flourishing around us. That's why our purpose is to make sustainable living commonplace, and why sustainable, long-term growth is at the heart of our business model.   

ABOUT ICE CREAM: Life Tastes Better With Ice Cream 

 Unilever Ice Cream is the largest global Ice Cream Company in the world, with over 100 years of experience delivering a diverse range of indulgent, yet responsible, craft food experiences and treats delighting consumers. Committed to innovation, quality, and sustainability we have 35 brands, including 3 one billion Euro brands (Magnum, Wall’s, Ben & Jerry’s), a strong presence in over 60 countries, generating annual revenue of €8 billion. All brands are driven to transform moments into memories through indulgent yet responsibly made and marketed products. We have a well-developed strategy to deliver growth and value creation which is clear on where to play and how to win. 

We are investing to unlock the full growth potential of Ice Cream as a standalone entity, once we separate from Unilever, which is planned to happen by November 2025. Ice Cream has distinct characteristics from Unilever’s other operating businesses and the growth potential of Ice Cream will be better delivered under a different ownership structure.  

We turn the ordinary into the extraordinary by designing unique and innovative Ice Cream experiences that make life taste better, creating joyful experiences. In our Ice Cream business, we’re crafting the future through innovation and imaginative minds, creating unique products. We spark moments of happiness for people and within the communities where we operate. However, it is not as simple as it may seem. As Ice Cream makers we are serious about happiness. With warm hearts, we create the coolest products.  

Ice Cream Finance: Leading for a winning, trusted and investible global ice cream market leader 

This is your chance for a ‘once in a lifetime’ career experience, playing a part in the creation of a fully independent, new Ice Cream organisation in what will be the Ultimate Pleasure Food company.  

We are seizing this unique opportunity to reset the role of Ice Cream Finance. Together we will become the best and most admired finance team in the world, and we’ll do this by focusing on value creation, trailblazing future-fit financial processes and technology, and by becoming a training ground for financial craftmanship that will be the envy of everyone.   

Just imagine the benefits of working within a single category, where everyone and everything is laser-focused on the same goal, where there's opportunity to develop deep and wide understanding of the business economics and international ecosystem of a single category, and to translate that into value creation.  

The role of Ice Cream Finance in this momentous moment is staggering, exciting, and yes...a little daunting, which is why we are looking for empowered and accountable decision makers who are keen to take on end-to-end responsibility; if you are a self-starter who identifies opportunities, takes initiative, and innovates to create value, who is proactive, resourceful and comfortable with challenge and uncertainty, you will thrive with us. In return, you will be rewarded with a rich finance role, no matter where you are in your career, and within an environment that’s both fulfilling and fun...after all, life tastes better with Ice Cream!    

JOB PURPOSE: 

The newly created Ice Cream Group Controlling Team is a core part of the central Ice Cream Finance team.  

Ice Cream Group Controlling Team is responsible for Ice Cream’s external financial reporting and global financial reporting controls (including Sarbanes Oxley compliance), managing the global auditor relationship; determining and implementing Ice Cream’s accounting policies; and many other projects related to how Ice Cream measures its performance and presents and communicates this to the external world.  

The Group Financial Accounting Manager – Balance Sheet is primarily responsible from the preparation of the Group’s consolidated balance sheet and statement of changes in equity, playing a pivotal role in ensuring accurate financial reporting and compliance with international accounting standards and SOX framework. This role requires a deep understanding of global accounting principles, strong leadership skills, and the ability to work cross-functionally with teams in different countries. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Key Responsibilities include the following:  

Financial Reporting and Compliance:   

• Coordinate month-end, quarter-end, and year-end financial closing processes, including consolidation of financial data across multiple regions. This will include communicating reporting instructions, providing guidance and training to countries on accounting policies, responding to accounting and reporting queries and reviewing monthly financial results to ensure compliance to Group accounting policy.  

• Lead the preparation of financial statements in compliance with international accounting standards and ensure the financial statements are accurate, timely, consistent and a fair representation of the Group’s performance. 

• Analyse the results and support the presentation to the Global Finance leadership team. 

• Prepare the relevant parts of the quarterly results announcements and the Annual Report & Accounts.  

• Implement new reporting requirements on a timely basis. 

• Support ad-hoc projects as they arise. 

Internal Controls and Audit:  

• Ensure SOX compliance for the processes owned. 

• Support the Group Audit process regarding the accounts owned.  

Continuous Improvement:  

• Collaborate on system implementations and upgrades, ensuring that accounting requirements and best practices are integrated. 

• Drive process improvements in financial reporting, automation, and data integrity initiatives, leveraging technology to enhance efficiency. 

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:  

Experiences & Qualifications ​​ ​

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field.  

• Professional accounting qualification (ICAEW, ACCA or similar). 

• Previous experience in finance function, with relevant experience in financial accounting and reporting – exposure to group financial accounting and/or audit experience is preferred.  

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a managerial or supervisory role.  

Skills: 

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively at all levels of the organization. 

• Proven track record in managing and developing teams, with a focus on inclusivity and cross-cultural sensitivity. 

• Proficiency in ERP systems and advanced MS Excel skills is desirable 

Must have competencies 

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think strategically and align financial goals with business objectives. 

• Attention to Detail: High level of accuracy and attention to detail in financial reporting and analysis. 

• Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to changing business environments and manage multiple priorities. 

• Collaboration: Strong collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders. 

• Decision-Making: Sound decision-making skills, particularly under pressure and in complex scenarios. 

• Innovation: Ability to drive innovation in financial processes and reporting. 

• Ethical Judgment: Strong ethical judgment and integrity in handling financial information. 

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?  
  
Unilever is the place where you can be yourself and bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. We offer an exciting & dynamic work environment where you can make things happen. Furthermore, we offer some great reward and benefits!   

• Attractive total remuneration package; excellent company pension, bonus and share scheme.  

• Flexible cross-disciplinary career opportunities and a wealth of training opportunities & wellbeing resources whenever and wherever.   

• Plenty of company-paid holidays to further ensure your work-life balance is maintained.   

• We encourage an inclusive culture, which comes to life with interchangeable public holidays, paid paternity leave of 6 weeks and our transgender policy.   

• Under the Hybrid Working principles, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 40% in the office or at customers, suppliers or partners to connect and collaborate.  For the time you work from home, we will ensure you are well equipped. When you are at the office , you can enjoy our tasty canteen with prepped food and own products. 

• Informal culture and being the first one trying our new products.    

• My Fitness Plan (reduction on your Fitness Subscription).  

• Home work allowance 

• Company laptop and mobile phone 

• Green Mobility Policy 

EXCITED?  

Join Unilever and our team! To apply, you must do so online. Please do not forget to upload your CV and a motivation letter.  Your application will be reviewed against our requirements and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date to provide you with an update on the status of your application.  

Looking forward to meeting you!    

Please note this is a Direct Search led by Unilever. Applications from agencies will not be accepted, nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs.   

Equal Opportunity Employer: Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, parenthood, pregnancy or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against.   

By highlighting the gender diversity at the workplace, Unilever encourages women equally men to apply. If you look for a job after a long career break or after any type of leave, do not hesitate to apply.  

NOTE: Please save a copy of this vacancy for personal use as it will disappear from the website after closing of the role.