Finance Assistant, Global Procurement (Home Care)

Unlocking Opportunities: A Deep Dive into the Finance Assistant, Global Procurement (Home Care) Role

For ambitious finance professionals seeking a dynamic and impactful career, the Finance Assistant, Global Procurement (Home Care) position at Unilever presents a compelling opportunity. This role is not just about managing numbers; it's about becoming a strategic partner, driving value, and navigating the complexities of a global market.

If you're looking to make a tangible contribution to a leading Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company and hone your analytical and business partnering skills, this role warrants your close attention. We’ve broken down what makes this opportunity stand out and what key considerations will guide your career journey.

Why This Role is a Career Accelerator:

• Strategic Impact on a Global Scale: You will be at the heart of Unilever’s Home Care business, managing a significant portion of a €6 billion global procurement spend. This provides an unparalleled platform to influence financial performance and sustainability initiatives across a vast product portfolio.
• Navigating Market Volatility: The current economic landscape is characterized by fluctuating input costs. This role offers the chance to develop deep expertise in commodity markets, learn sophisticated hedging strategies, and become adept at combating inflation, directly contributing to the company’s bottom line.
• Driving Value Creation Projects: Beyond day-to-day management, you will lead and support value-delivery projects aligned with the 'Light House' strategy. This is an excellent opportunity to sharpen your project management skills and drive tangible savings and efficiency improvements.
• Ownership and Leadership in Cash Management: Taking ownership of the procurement finance data strategy and leading the Home Care procurement cash agenda means you will be instrumental in optimizing working capital. This includes driving cash KPIs, ensuring payment term transparency, and identifying cash vs. cost optimization opportunities.
• Developing Financial Acumen Across the Organization: A crucial aspect of this role is enhancing the financial literacy of procurement teams. Through training and presentations, you will empower colleagues with a better understanding of financial implications, fostering a more financially astute procurement function.
• Exposure to Diverse Stakeholders: You'll collaborate with colleagues across global business organizations and functional areas, including FET Finance, Procurement, and BG-BU Finance. This cross-functional engagement will broaden your network and enhance your ability to influence and partner effectively.
• Continuous Learning and Development: The description emphasizes a "learning mindset, curious and eager to tackle new challenges." This signals a supportive environment for professional growth, where you'll be encouraged to expand your knowledge base and adapt to evolving business needs.

Key Considerations for Your Career Path:

• Analytical Prowess is Paramount: Success in this role hinges on strong analytical skills. Be prepared to conduct deep-dive analyses, understand complex cost drivers, and leverage MS Excel for sophisticated modeling. Your ability to translate data into actionable insights will be critical.
• Agility in a Fast-Paced Environment: The FMCG sector, particularly procurement, operates at a rapid pace. The job description highlights the need for flexibility and the ability to "shift gear." Candidates who thrive in dynamic settings and can manage ambiguity will find this role particularly rewarding.
• Business Acumen is Essential: Beyond technical finance skills, a strong business understanding is vital. You'll need to think strategically, connect financial performance to business outcomes, and bring a proactive business perspective to your work.
• The Importance of Communication: Excellent spoken and written English is a prerequisite. Given the global nature of the role, the ability to articulate complex financial information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences will be a significant asset.
• Experience in FMCG (Preferable): While a university degree in a related field is required, prior experience in the FMCG sector is noted as preferable. If you have this background, you'll likely have a head start in understanding the industry's nuances.

The Finance Assistant, Global Procurement (Home Care) role offers a unique blend of strategic financial management, operational excellence, and cross-functional collaboration within a globally recognized organization. If you are driven, analytical, and eager to contribute to significant business objectives, this is an exceptional platform to advance your career in finance and procurement.