SCF Logistics and Assets Manager

Reports to: SC Finance Director

Scope: Southern Africa

Location: Johannesburg/Durban

Terms & Conditions: Full time, Permanent

ABOUTUNILEVER

With 3.4 billion people in over 190 countries using our products every day, Unilever is a business that makes a real impact on the world. Work on brands that are loved and improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We are driven by our purpose: to make sustainable living commonplace, and it is our belief that doing business the right way drives superior performance. At the heart of what we do is our people – we believe that when our people work with purpose, we will create a better business and a better world. 

At Unilever, your career will be a unique journey, grounded in our inclusive, collaborative, and flexible working environment. We don’t believe in the ‘one size fits all’ approach and instead we will equip you with the tools you need to shape your own future.

JOB PURPOSE

Find your purpose at Unilever. You will lead innovations, big and small, that will make our business win and grow. You will learn from brilliant business leaders and colleagues in a truly global and diverse culture to ultimately become a better you.

The SC Finance manager will act as a reliable and trustful business partner for Logistics, local Supply Chain and category Finance teams to execute the Supply Chain Finance operational and Strategic plan for Southern Africa which enable the business to win and grow. 

The purpose of this role will be to:

• SteerBusiness Performance and provide Decision support to key stakeholders including the FLT (Finance Leadership Team) and DLT (Distribution Leadership Team)
• Drive a cost competitive Supply Chain organisation through delivery of savings committed and net productivity agenda across Supply chain Indirects and Logistics costs
• Drive strong Governance and Controls within the Supply Chain Finance environment ensuring there are no control gaps to prevent loss and protect assets.
• Manage capex process across all Sourcing Units
• Driving down business waste at the Sourcing Units  
• Team leadership and talent development: Lead a diverse team of 3 WL1’s (Staff) and develop succession planning and career progression plans for the team

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

SteerBusiness Performance and provide Decision support

• Provide accurate and relevant business insights by analysing available info using designated best practice tools
• Drive and Coordinate the forecasting process to help the business make reliable decisions, includes budget, financial forecasts, etc
• Support Trade Working Capital delivery through analysis tools ie loss tree analysis
• Drive optimal return on investments by driving focus on Capital Expenditure Proposals with Business Cases that meet the required benchmarks
• Guide and support the delivery ofkey projects in the pipeline, whilst actively ensuring that all appropriate government incentives are maximised on.
• Report on monthly variances giving key insight in what areas need focus and actions to ensure mitigations are in place where relevant
• Guide and support the delivery of key projects in the pipeline
• Drive accountability for impact and outcome.

Drive a cost competitive Supply Chain organisation through Logistics and Business Waste cost optimization

• Drive delivery of controllable costs by reducing the Cost Per Ton (Net Productivity)
• Deliver the business waste reduction programme and mitigations
• Review, challenge and monitor all Capital Expenditure proposals (CEP) per the annual budget.
• Drive alignment of benchmark costs and efficiencies across Logistics, SCI and Waste costs

Ensure robust governance and control systems are implemented, maintained and adhered to.

• Ensure adequate controls and financial hygiene of all areas in Supply Chain, including managing reviews and interaction with auditors during +5 audits during a year.
• Ensure integrity of balance sheet and income statement with appropriate levels of checks and balances.
• Drive delivery of timely and accurate reporting requirements
• Ensure Unilever Standard Chart of Accounts compliance
• Ensure stock controls compliant with SOX
• Ensure journals, write offs and provisions are done in accordance with Schedule of Authority.

Manage stock flows and balances

• Ensure annual budgets done and standard product costing aligned to global product costing guidelines
• Drive forecast process in line with S&OP principles
• Variance analysis of budget over and under spends done weekly/monthly.
• Manage stock provisions in various locations on site and off site at third parties.
• Stock and working capital reporting
• Manage stock in many locations on site and off site at third parties.

Leadership Role

• Lead diverse team of direct reports: 3 Staff
• Responsible for growth and development of all staff.
• Develop succession planning and career progression plans for the team

Experiences & Qualifications & Skills

Qualification:  Professional qualification in accountancy – CA or CIMA

Experience:

• Min 7 years experience in a Management and/or Financial accounting
• Ability to steer conversations and influence
• Leadership skills – able to lead, motivate, inspire
• Previous experience in SAP 3 years.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel.
• Previous SOX experience would be an advantage. 
• Proven track record of being effective in a complex operating environment and driving business performance
• Strong communication and influencing skills
• Objectivity and integrity in the face of challenge; courage and personal resilience
• Ability to build networks and manage multiple senior stakeholders
• Understanding or ability to quickly grasp financial principles in the end-to-end Supply Chain, identify and drive relevant value-creating choices and decisions
• Leadership of change – the ability to drive change management initiatives, staying close to best practices and relevant external developments

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.

Unilever Behaviours

• Care deeply
• Focus on what counts
• Stay three steps ahead
• Deliver with excellence

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 supporting this. 

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.