Finance Controller Foods DACH (d/f/m)

Unilever PLC; Hamburg; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hours

Remote work option

30 days vacation

Meal allowance

Job summary

Unilever Hamburg is hiring a Finance Controller Foods DACH to safeguard financial health, ensure US GAAP reporting, and strengthen internal controls across Germany, Austria and Switzerland. You will lead local Controlling and partner on the planned combined business with McCormick.

You will guide audits, embed SOX controls, and provide clear financial judgement to senior stakeholders while fostering a culture of ownership and continuous improvement in a multinational setting.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of Finance experience in an international organisation.
• Strong expertise in financial accounting, internal controls and risk management, incl. SOX or equivalent.
• US GAAP experience or ability to implement with support.
• Strong knowledge of German statutory accounting and governance requirements.
• Experience managing internal and external audits and driving remediation.
• Proven people leadership with cross-functional delivery.
• Fluency in German and English.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal and external audits; main contact for local auditor and Corporate Audit.
• Ensure the Financial Controls Framework (SOX) is embedded and remediates controls.
• Drive high-quality risk assessments and mitigation.
• Oversee statutory reporting and integrity of DACH balance sheets across R2R, P2P and O2C.
• Upskill local teams in US GAAP and lease accounting.
• Oversee treasury and local banking relations with governance adherence.
• Advise senior leadership on accounting, reporting, risk and controls.
• Develop the Controlling team with clear priorities and performance expectations.
• Foster ownership and continuous improvement in local processes.

Skills

Finance leadership

SOX/compliance

US GAAP

German statutory accounting

Auditing

Stakeholder communication

German & English

Education

CA/CPA/ACCA

Tools

SAP S/4HANA

Job description

Earlier this year (March 2026), Unilever announced an agreement to separate our Foods business. Our Foods business, including brands such as Hellmann's and Knorr, will join forces with McCormick to become a global flavour leader, with leading positions across spices, seasonings, condiments and complementary food categories, supported by a strong retail and food service platform. McCormick has 135+ years of heritage, a presence in 150+ countries and territories, and a portfolio of trusted brands. The transaction remains subject to consultation, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions with a targeted deal close of mid‑2027.

Finance Controller Foods DACH (d/f/m)

The Finance Controller Foods DACH is the senior finance leader accountable for the integrity of financial accounting and reporting, the effectiveness of the risk and control environment, and the quality of internal and external assurance across Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The role safeguards the financial health and compliance of the DACH legal entities and provides clear financial judgement and constructive challenge to senior Finance and business stakeholders. The role will be integral in establishing and implementing new processes locally to meet the reporting requirements of the planned combined business with McCormick, including compliance with the reporting calendar, US GAAP accounting standards and SOX control frameworks. The Finance Controller is also responsible for the continuous development of the local controlling organization. You’ll be part of a team that believes in doing work that matters — for people and the planet. Because here, we don’t just hire for jobs. We invite you to be part of something bigger.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead internal and external audits; act as main contact for the local external auditor and Corporate Audit and own all follow-up actions
• Ensure the Financial Controls Framework (incl. SOX) is embedded in line with the global model, including controls operated outside Finance (e.g. Supply Chain), and drive remediation where controls are not operating
• Proactively lead the risk management agenda, ensuring high‑quality risk assessments and appropriate mitigation
• Ensure accurate and timely group and local statutory reporting, own the integrity of the DACH balance sheets, including timely substantiation and resolution of material exposures, and ensure high‑quality delivery across Record to Report, Procure to Pay and Order to Cash
• Continuously improve accounting quality, implement changes in group & local standards and establish the local processes required for reporting in the planned combined business, working with the central Reporting & Accounting Operations team to upskill local teams (e.g. lease accounting under US GAAP)
• Oversee statutory accounting, filing and governance requirements for the DACH legal entities, including Supervisory Board papers, in coordination with local directors, auditors, Tax, Legal, Treasury and Pension specialists
• Oversee Treasury operations and local bank relations in line with the Global Treasury Standard, and implement required risk control and insurance standards
• Act as a trusted adviser to DACH Finance and business leadership on accounting, reporting, risk and control matters, providing constructive challenge, translating complex topics into clear recommendations and holding senior stakeholders to account for timely resolution of risks
• Lead, coach and develop the local Controlling team, setting clear priorities, accountabilities and performance expectations
• Build capability in accounting, US GAAP, statutory reporting, SOX and risk management, and foster a culture of ownership, integrity and continuous improvement

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 8+ years of Finance experience, including financial accounting, reporting and controls in an international organisation
• Strong expertise in financial accounting, internal controls and risk management, including SOX or comparable control frameworks
• US GAAP experience, or the ability to implement US GAAP requirements with specialist support
• Strong knowledge of German statutory accounting and governance requirements, with a working understanding of tax matters
• Good understanding of German pension accounting, reporting and governance requirements
• Experience managing internal and external audits and driving remediation of findings
• Proven people leadership, including delivering outcomes through cross‑functional stakeholders
• Strong judgement and clear communication, with the ability to explain complex financial matters to non‑Finance audiences
• Fluency in German and English

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A recognised professional accounting qualification (e.g. CA, CPA, ACCA or equivalent)
• Experience across Germany, Switzerland and Austria
• SAP S/4HANA experience

WHAT WE OFFER YOU:

• flexible hours and the option for remote work
• 30 days of vacation plus December 24th and 31st off
• Meal allowance: €65 per month
• Access to Manager Check‑Ups – Optional executive‑level health screenings to support long‑term well‑being and performance
• Company pension & shares
• In‑house café: snacks, lunch, and coffee specialties at discounted prices ·Discounts via Corporate Benefits
• Deutschland Ticket: €50 monthly subsidy or a discounted company bike
• Free training opportunities and access to our own learning platform
• E‑GYM/Wellpass for €20 per month & free corporate health management & a 24/7 counseling service
• And the best for last – unlimited ice cream!

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.

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