Cluster Engineering Capex Lead

Unilever Plc; Johannesburg; Hybrid; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global consumer goods company in Johannesburg seeks a Cluster Engineering Capex Lead. This role involves managing the Southern Africa cluster capex program with a focus on financial governance and digital transformation. Candidates should possess either an Engineering or Finance degree and demonstrate strong attention to detail, leadership, and agility. Responsibilities include capital planning, developing forecasting tools, and training teams in governance. An office-based role, requiring presence primarily in Johannesburg or Durban.

Qualifications

• Engineering or Finance degree is required.
• Strong attention to detail and leadership abilities.
• High bias for action with responsibility and integrity.

Responsibilities

• Lead capital planning and governance to ensure adherence to policies.
• Develop forecasting tools and dashboards driving digital transformation.
• Conduct training sessions on governance for engineers and finance teams.

Skills

Strong attention to detail

Leadership

Agile principles

Education

Engineering Degree

Finance Degree

Tools

Power BI

Jazz

Job description

Cluster Engineering Capex Lead

Unilever Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

Function: Supply Chain Scope: Local Location: 61 Katherine Street, La Lucia Ridge Terms & Conditions: Full time

About Unilever: Unilever is the place where you can bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world.

You will work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us.

You will lead innovations, big and small, that will make our business win and grow.

You will learn from brilliant business leaders and colleagues who provide mentorship and inspiration so that you can become a better you.

Job Purpose

This role exists to lead the delivery of the Southern Africa cluster capex program with a strong emphasis on financial governance, forecasting accuracy, digital transformation, and capability building. This role integrates finance expertise into engineering operations, ensuring strategic alignment, value‑driven decision‑making, and operational excellence across the Southern Africa cluster.

The role is a member of the Sn A Engineering Team responsible for the E2E design and delivery of the cluster capex program.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead capital planning and governance, ensuring adherence to accounting policies, and driving net productivity.
• Challenge and influence capex decisions to ensure financial prudence and strategic alignment.
• Develop and maintain forecasting tools and dashboards (e.g., Power BI, Jazz), driving digital transformation through system integration and AI‑enabled decision support.
• Act as Marlin / Jazz system lead for Southern Africa, providing user support, training, access control, and maintaining the Schedule of Authority (SOA).
• Deliver regular training sessions on CEPs, DCFs and governance for engineers and finance teams to embed governance and forecasting principles.
• Lead post‑investment reviews and savings tracking to ensure capital efficiency.
• Support succession planning through structured handover modules and mentoring.

Metrics

OTIF delivery of Project Reports and Performance Reports, Annual Capex delivery vs. target, Net Productivity bias, Forecast accuracy and governance compliance, Number of training sessions delivered and feedback received, Engagement in One Engineering Community and cross‑functional initiatives.

Experience & Preferred Qualifications

Either an Engineering Degree or a Finance degree.

Skills

Strong attention to detail.

Leadership & Personal Excellence

High bias for action, responsibility and integrity.

Consistently striving to perform at their best, maintaining wellbeing, resilience, and high personal standards, while demonstrating empathy and emotional intelligence.

Facilitating productive engagement within and outside the organization, inspiring and motivating others, and fostering a results‑driven environment.

Taking responsibility for outcomes, making data‑driven decisions, and showing initiative without the need for close supervision.

Embracing agile principles, iterative learning, prioritizing customer value, while actively contributing to building an agile culture.

Acting with humility, guided by a strong sense of purpose aligned with Unilever's mission of sustainable living, and viewing leadership as service to others.

Encouraging employees to champion company values and initiatives, understanding the importance of advocacy and managing external perceptions.

Demonstrating adaptability, resilience, and the ability to navigate ambiguity and solve problems independently.

Caring deeply about how consumers experience our brands every day, everywhere; about our people's growth and development, and our impact on the planet.

We set clear and stretching goals and recognize maximum performance impact.

We think boldly and creatively to make breakthroughs in performance; we are always curious and confident.

We deliver everything we do with excellence and pace, taking personal ownership and accountability.

Equal Opportunities

Unilever is an equal opportunities employer and committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. We are intentional in employing the best talent that reflects the demographics of our country and which will help build representation of currently under‑represented groups.

We therefore invite applications from all candidates representing diversity of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief.

When appointing potential candidates, the South African Employment Equity and Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Legislation will be considered. We are required by law to verify your ability to work lawfully in South Africa. If you are applying as a foreign national, please note that you may be requested to provide supporting documents.

This is an office‑based role in Johannesburg OR Durban and requires % of time attendance on site.

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.