Unilever - Global Finance Manager - CA - Enterprise & Technology Services

Function : BFS

Position Title : Global Finance Manager

Scope : Global

Location : Bangalore, India

Business Context and Main Purpose of the Job

Unilever Enterprise & Technology Services (ETS) is a global business unit that will manage the company's shared business services, made up of HR Services, Business and Finance Services, IT Services, Information Management Services and Workplace Services. BFS within ETS is responsible for running Business and Finance Services. BFS is currently in the process of expansion and in the process of standardizing and consolidating various operations across Unilever. Within BFS different services are at various levels of maturity including fairly mature processes like Purchase 2 Pay, Record to Report, Control Services and some new process like financial performance management, procurement services, SC finance services etc.

Mission to provide excellent services globally which enable Unilever to win in the market by :

- Putting the business- goals at the heart of what we do

- Leveraging cost-effective, best practice, global solutions across Unilever to meet users- needs

- Making continuous improvement in both cost and service an integral part of our way of working

- Building a professional services organization that enables our people to give their best

- Developing win-win relationships with selected providers to meet our current and future requirements

The key benefits from ETS are expected to be :

- Lower cost of delivery through standardization, simplification, process harmonization & scale leverage.

- Better user experience by delivery of integrated service bundles to end user.

- Continuous improvement through end-to-end process ownership.

Within the service catalogue of ETS, Business and Finance Services (BFS) organization is responsible for the management and delivery of Finance Services globally; both through third-party outsourced providers and through in sourced operations. The R2R service line is responsible for the End to End General Accounting processes from Transacting to Reporting, including the maintenance of procedures and standardized chart of accounts, journal entry processing, intercompany accounting and account reconciliations, fixed assets, project cost and inventory accounting, tax accounting services, compliance and controls, month end close process, financial consolidations and financial statements (excluding group level), financial reporting of all different business units to the Centre.

Key activities summary :

- Management of financial transactions and reporting;

- Integrity of financial operating model & tools;

- Subject matter expertise for local accounting operations;

- Project Management and Delivery

- Business understanding and performance management

Main purpose of the role includes :

- General Performance Management and FP&A

- Manage SC Finance services including product costing profits etc.

- Change Management and transition

- Lead a highly qualified and motivated team and take responsibility for the end-to-end financial accounting process for India; and to provide subject matter expertise for a dedicated part of the end to end service delivery model.

- Implements and ensures standardization and best practice from other jurisdictions to maximize efficiency and load balance.

- Ensures accounting rules are properly applied for both management and financial accounts in compliance with corporate standards.

- Identifies key issues and delivers efficient responses through the implementation of the right procedures.

- Acts as internal consultant to satisfy stakeholder expectations. Maintain formal relationship with the shared services provider.

- Consistently work to identify opportunities and implement continuous improvement to achieve harmonization and standardization.

Accountabilities and responsibilities

Customer Service :

- To lead the delivery of accurate performance of accounting operations within the end-to-end service delivery model, and set the appropriate work instructions for the team.

- Set the team's service levels and the factors that affect service, providing a high standard customer service.

- Define and implement the work instructions for the team to accurately comply with the financial systems and rules.

- Active involvement in team meetings - suggest ways of improving efficiency and the service provided.

- Seek and promote to improve service levels, quality, KPIs, and targets.

Quality :

- Understand the accounting policy and procedures required.

- Develop procedures and work instructions to meet the required standards.

- To lead and develop the team to build effective team working and a performance culture.

General :

- Take responsibility to undertake training in personal development and seek to understand the communication of changes impacting the role, requesting further clarification where needed.

- Carry out additional duties as shall from time to time be required.

- Understand and demonstrate the values and culture of the department.

- Comply with corporate policies and procedures.

- Deal with issues in an appropriate and timely manner.

- The role may require some working of nonstandard hours as workload dictates.

REQUIRED SKILLS :

- Qualified C.A (Chartered Accountant) or Similar

- Strong Finance skills

- Minimum 5 Years of the overall industry experience.

- At least 2 years of managerial experience

- Demonstrated the ability to lead and develop a team of accounting professionals.

- Demonstrated a track record of excellent service delivery, fast reaction, and crisis management.

- Effective communication both written and oral in English and designated - local- language.

- Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret problems/data gathered from a variety of sources.

- Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in a changing environment.

- Performance Improvement

- Project Management

- Building Talent

- Organization Effectiveness

- Change Management

- Effective networking skills

DESIRED SKILLS :

- University Graduate (or similar)

- Strong knowledge of key Finance processes

- Knowledge of a second process in the process model is beneficial.

- Negotiation and interpersonal skills

OTHER TEAM SKILLS :

- Actively promotes the maintenance of a high-performance culture

- Adaptability and commitment in dealing with a virtual, complex and changing working.

- Cooperates with team members responsible for other sub-functions and expertise in the ESOC.

- Demonstrates a team-oriented approach, is confident and decisive.

- Demonstrated the ability to work with a range of technically and culturally diverse people.

- Demonstrated ability to successfully contribute multiple projects & competing priorities in a time-sensitive environment.

- Ability to work a flexible work schedule - evenings and weekends, if and when required.

DIRECT REPORTS: Variable

KEY INTERFACES :

- Global Finance and Business Teams across Unilever (all locations)

- Other ETS teams