Personal Care Europe Finance Lead and UK&I Head of Finance

Unilever Brazil; Kingston upon Thames; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Personal Care Europe Finance Lead and UK&I Head of Finance to drive strategic financial initiatives across key markets. This high-exposure role demands a strong leader to oversee finance operations, ensuring compliance and governance while fostering a culture of ethical business practices. You will be pivotal in shaping the financial landscape, managing P&L, and delivering sustainable growth through innovative financial frameworks. If you are passionate about finance and ready to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment, this opportunity is tailored for you.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Pension

Annual bonus

Subsidized gym membership

Staff shop discounts

Shares

Flexible working options

Wellbeing support

Inclusive workplace

Qualifications

• Experience in P&L ownership through FBP, CFP, or similar roles.
• Category-focused and customer-facing experience.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for compliance and control within the market cluster.
• Develops long-term strategy and manages financial performance.

Skills

P&L ownership experience

Category-focused experience

Customer-facing experience

UKI Market/Operational experience

Education

CFO / Controller experience

Job description

Job Title: Personal Care Europe Finance Lead and UK&I Head of Finance

Location: Kingston Head Office

JOB PURPOSE

Europe Personal Care is a vital Business Unit (BU) within the Global Personal Care Business Group, with an annual turnover of approximately €1.8bn. It comprises 6 strategic markets (UK, Germany, France, Benelux, Italy & Poland) and 3 Personal Care Categories (Deodorants, Skin Cleansing, and Oral Care). Working with some of Unilever’s most iconic brands such as Dove, Axe, Signal & Rexona, the BU is key for market share, growth, and profitability in a competitive landscape, supported by 6 European Sourcing Units and a large 3PM network. The BU focuses on sustainable profitable growth through powerful brands, innovation, and agility in managing channel dynamics.

Following several years of low single-digit growth, the BU has experienced a strong 'Compass era' with unprecedented price-led growth and margin recovery. This high-exposure role offers a unique opportunity to understand strategic and commercial challenges of this portfolio.

The role reports to the PC6 BU General Manager and is a key member of the BU Leadership Team and the BG Finance leadership team. It involves frequent engagement on performance and strategy with the BG LT.

Within the Country Leadership team, the Head of Finance (HOF) is expected to oversee the full Finance remit and to serve as a voice of economic and ethical challenge, promoting a culture of compliance, governance, and business acumen among the country LT.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Head of Finance, UK

• Stewardship: Responsible for control and compliance within the market cluster. While many day-to-day tasks are carried out by the Controller, the HOF remains accountable with fiduciary duties, especially in Tax and Statutory areas.
• Customer Finance: Responsible for cross-BU support to Customer Development and integrated Customer Finance Operations.
• Overheads Management: Manages overheads for the Finance function and the overall Country operation.
• UKI Cash Contribution: Ensures delivery within the broader European Cash Contribution Framework.

Personal Care Finance Lead

• Develops the long-term strategy and value creation through portfolio transformation, simplification, and financial frameworks aligned with BG strategy for sustainable growth.
• Ensures accuracy of monthly financial forecasts and manages strategic opportunities and risks.
• Delivers in-year financial performance aligned with strategic pricing and GM objectives.
• Works with SC to develop resilient SU and network strategies supporting LT BU goals.
• Ensures PC6 Cash Contribution delivery within the European and PC BG frameworks.

European Finance Excellence Team (FET)

Partners in process execution, information provision, and performance management across European BU’s and UL organizations, including S&OP, Cost Control, R2R, and Cash Contribution.

People & Talent Development

Builds and owns the UKI talent pipeline, leading talent hubs and the UFLP program, and delivering the Kingston Campus project in line with the finance framework.

ALL ABOUT YOU

Key Skills & Knowledge

• Category-focused and customer-facing experience
• P&L ownership experience (via FBP, CFP, or similar roles)

Highly Desirable

• UKI Market/Operational experience

Relevant Experiences

• CFO / Controller

Key Interfaces

• UKI Leadership Team
• PC 6 Leadership Team
• PC BG
• European Finance Leadership Team
• European Controller

NOTES

About Unilever

Unilever is a leading global supplier of Food, Home, and Personal Care products with over 400 brands including Dove, Tresemme, Lynx, Lifebuoy, and more, reaching 2 billion consumers daily in over 190 countries. We aim to make sustainable living commonplace, addressing climate change and human development challenges.

Location

Unilever plans to consolidate offices into Kingston-upon-Thames by early 2025, but as of August 2024, the headquarters remains at 100 Victoria Embankment until lease expiry in 2027. The role’s location will be confirmed post-consultation.

What We Offer

Competitive salary, pension, annual bonus, subsidized gym membership, staff shop discounts, shares, flexible working options, wellbeing support, and an inclusive, diverse workplace.

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