Manager, Parent & Holding, Ice Cream​ 

ICE CREAM is Hiring for a Manager, Parent & Holding, Ice Cream​

Location: Netherlands HQ (Amsterdam)

Local conditions apply

Full-time/Part-time

For the recruitment of this position, we would like to emphasize that local conditions apply to the position and for this vacancy in principle we will first consider candidates based in the Netherlands. If you are based outside of the Netherlands and you are interested to apply, please feel free to do so but we can only take your application on if a decision is made to also recruit outside of the Netherlands.

If you are in the Unilever Ice Cream business or consider choosing to work for the Unilever Ice Cream business, you will work for the Global, leading Ice Cream player with €7.9bn Turn Over in 2023. The Ice Cream business is operating in a highly attractive category, as we are part of the 1 trillion snacking and refreshment industry, growing consistently at high pace. We have strong brands equities: 5 of top 10 selling brands including Wall’s, Magnum, Ben &Jerry’s. We are investing to unlock the full growth potential of Ice Cream as a standalone entity, once we separate from Unilever, which is planned to happen by November 2025.

Ice Cream has distinct characteristics from Unilever’s other operating businesses and the growth potential of Ice Cream will be better delivered under a different ownership structure. As Ice Cream company we are committed to developing and nurturing talent within our Ice Cream company. You will have ample options for career growth and exploration, allowing you for you to explore roles and opportunities across the new organisation. Your career development will be a priority for us, and we are dedicated to supporting your growth journey within the new company. We hope that you will want to build the new chapter of our Ice Cream history together with us.

ABOUT ICE CREAM: Life Tastes Better With Ice Cream

Unilever Ice Cream is the largest global Ice Cream Company in the world, with over 100 years of experience delivering a diverse range of indulgent, yet responsible, craft food experiences and treats delighting consumers. Committed to innovation, quality, and sustainability we have 35 brands, including 3 one billion Euro brands (Magnum, Wall’s, Ben & Jerry’s), a strong presence in over 60 countries, generating annual revenue of over $8 billion. All brands are driven to transform moments into memories through indulgent yet responsibly made and marketed products. We have a well-developed strategy to deliver growth and value creation which is clear on where to play and how to win.

We turn the ordinary into the extraordinary by designing unique and innovative Ice Cream experiences that make life taste better, creating joyful experiences. In our Ice Cream business, we’re crafting the future through innovation and imaginative minds, creating unique products. We spark moments of happiness for people and within the communities where we operate. However, it is not as simple as it may seem. As Ice Cream makers we are serious about happiness. With warm hearts, we create the coolest products.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Within the Ice Cream Finance organization, you are part of the Group Chief Accountant’s Department (GCAD), reporting to the Group Financial Reporting Director. The GCAD consists of approximately 15 accounting professionals located in Amsterdam, London and Bangalore, and responsible for group external and internal reporting.

Key Responsibilities include the following:

Prepare for proper decision making on financial topics in de accounting domain of Parent & Holding by bringing various corporate functions around the table, such as Legal, Treasury, Tax, and Country reporting teams.

Monthly internal and external reporting for consolidation purpose split into Inter-Company, Dividends, Royalties, Corporate cost allocation and overall Financial performance and support for any queries.

Manage Annual Statutory Audit : Coordinating & Managing the statutory audit of 10+ legal entities in both Netherlands & United Kingdom in line with the local GAAP (Dutch GAAP/UK 101).

Oversee the global annual statutory reporting process of approximately 70 legal entities which is co-sourced with an external global service provider.

Acquisitions and Mergers: Preparation of accounting roadmaps for acquisitions, divestments and internal restructurings including oversight for group minority investments.

Annual Report: Company statements, Equity schedule, Group notes: Acquisitions and divestments, Interests in Entities.

FX Mitigation: Develop strategies to manage Forex exposure for all exposures.

IFRS Expertise: Be the Centre of Excellence & work alongside team leader to ensure smooth sign off from senior stakeholders including regional directors and Global teams for IFRS reporting.

Impairment assessment: Check for impairment analysis for Intangible and Tangible Fixed Assets (among which includes Equity investments).

Inter-Company Reconciliation: Oversee the process of Inter-Company Reconciliation and ensure all the balances maintained with subsidiaries are reconciled on timely basis.

Share-based Compensation Accounting: Manage Share-based Compensation Accounting for employees in line with IFRS 2.

Continuous Improvement: Collaborate on process improvements in financial reporting, automation, and data integrity initiatives, leveraging technology to enhance efficiency.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

Experiences & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related field.

• Professional accounting qualification (ACCA or similar).

• Minimum 10 years of experience in finance function, with relevant experience in financial accounting and reporting.  

• Expertise of IFRS and knowledge of Dutch GAAP.

Skills:

• Local GAAP and Regulatory knowledge: Take responsibility for the financial reporting to be made for Parent and Holding reporting under Dutch GAAP, IFRS, UK 101 and on statutory audit process; Understand Dutch Regulations for Statutory Reporting and local tax knowledge relevant for Parent & Holding entities as well. Meet high standards of quality and expectations in delivery to our auditors, regulatory and senior stakeholders.

• Team Management skills: Drive and motivate two members of the Parent & Holding team to perform at high levels.

• Collaboration with Opco Controllers: Provide subject matter expertise for statutory reporting issues in legal entities within the group (in close cooperation with the global co-sourcing partner statutory reporting).

• To ensure the integrity of financial systems and the financial operating model, in accordance with financial procedures, external audit requirements and best accounting practice.

• Implement and ensure standardization: best practice from other jurisdictions to maximize efficiency.

Must have competencies:

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think strategically and align financial goals with business objectives.

• Attention to Detail: High level of accuracy and attention to detail in financial reporting and analysis.

• Adaptability: Flexibility to adapt to changing business environments and manage multiple priorities.

• Collaboration: Strong collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

• Decision-Making: Sound decision-making skills, particularly under pressure and in complex scenarios.

• Innovation: Ability to drive innovation in financial processes and reporting.

• Ethical Judgment: Strong ethical judgment and integrity in handling financial information.

• People Management: Ability to coach and engage two team members Parent & Holding accounting.

Key Interactions

• Group Controller team

• Tax and Treasury Team

• Country reporting teams

• Global business office (operating centres)

• Investor Relations

• External Auditor

LEADERSHIP:

• You are an inclusive motivator of people. Your team deliver with real passion, growing and learning from each other whilst delivering quick wins. 

• You are still responsible for your own results and as a manager, you also need to motivate others to deliver with passion, creating an inclusive and engaging climate around you. You can balance challenge with support and coaching. You understand the wider business context and you are emotionally intelligent enough to motivate people to deliver what is needed. 

Critical SOL (Standards of Leadership) Behaviors

• PERSONAL MASTERY: Sets high standards for themselves. Has emotional intelligence to take feedback, manage mood and motivations, and build empathy for others. 

• PASSION FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE: Generates intensity and focus to motivate people to deliver results at speed. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for execution and results. 

• TALENT CATALYST: Invests in people – coaches individuals and teams to realize their full potential. Creates an inclusive climate, empowering everyone to be at their best. 

• PURPOSE & SERVICE: Has humility, understanding that leadership is service to others, inside and outside Unilever. 

• CONSUMER LOVE: Invests time inside and outside to understand the needs of consumers. 

• BUSINESS ACUMEN: Creates sustainable growth with purpose, engaging different partners across the system for change. 

WHAT DOES UNILEVER OFFER/WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?

Unilever is the place where you can be yourself and bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. We offer an exciting & dynamic work environment where you can make things happen. Furthermore, we offer some great reward and benefits!

• Attractive total remuneration package; excellent company pension, bonus, share scheme.

• Flexible cross-disciplinary career opportunities and a wealth of training opportunities & wellbeing resources whenever and wherever.

• Plenty of company-paid holidays to further ensure your work-life balance is maintained.

•   We encourage an inclusive culture, which comes to life with interchangeable public holidays, paid paternity leave of 6 weeks and our transgender policy.

•   Under the Hybrid Working principles, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 40%-60% in the office or at customers, suppliers or partners to connect and collaborate.  For the time you work from home, we will ensure you are well equipped. When you are at the office , you can enjoy our tasty canteen with prepped food and own products.

• Informal culture and being the first one trying our new products.

•   My Fitness Plan (reduction on your Fitness Subscription).

• Home work allowance

• Company laptop and mobile phone

• Green Mobility Policy.  

EXCITED?

Join Unilever and our team! To apply, you must do so online. Please do not forget to upload your CV and a motivation letter.  Your application will be reviewed against our requirements and we will be in touch shortly after the closing date to provide you with an update on the status of your application.

Looking forward to meeting you!

Please note this is a Direct Search led by Unilever. Applications from agencies will not be accepted, nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, disability, age, parenthood, pregnancy or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against.

By highlighting the gender diversity at the workplace, Unilever encourages women equally men to apply. If you look for a job after a long career break or after any type of leave, do not hesitate to apply.

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