Function: Finance

Reports to: Arabia Finance Lead

Scope: Local

Location: Arabia (KSA - Jeddah)

Terms & Conditions:  Full time

ABOUT UNILEVER

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

 The Joint Venture Financial Controller will be responsible for the overall stewardship of financial controls, accounting transactional processes, month-end closing, and reporting of the six distribution joint venture businesses in This individual will also partner with the Country Head to drive business profitability and ensure financial integrity within the joint ventures.

WHAT WILL BE YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

Joint Venture Accounting and Controls

Ensure execution of financial operations for Joint Ventures including review of balance sheet items, highlighting risks, suggesting mitigation action, month end closing, reporting, audit, tax, legal and regulatory complianceEnsure implementation and regular review of Joint Venture’s controls framework including regular updates, monitoring of controls and remediation actions as and when neededLed overall delivery of financial objectives of Joint Venture distribution business including preparation of business forecast, driving saving projects and identification of opportunities

Business Partnering

Business partnering with the CBD heads for driving the business performance and support execution of key projectsOwnership of Distribution JVs P&L, Preparing budgets and close monitoring of operational costs Led strategic projects – eg. RTM review, benchmarking, structural changesPartnering with CBD and Customer Operations teams for optimization of inventories, warehousing and logistics costsDrive needed actions to ensure health of stock

Governance

Organize and manage the Annual General Meetings and board review meetings with the Joint venture partners and sub-distributorClose coordination with the sub-distributors, service providers and JV partners to ensure smooth operations and complianceClose coordination with Tax and Legal team for matters related to Joint VenturesCoordination with Unilever entities Controllers and FET team for governance of costs cross charges between Unilever and JVs

Create a Future Fit Controllers Organization:

Build a future fit Controllers team with high business acumenImprove the overall awareness of controls within the organizationDrive automation and process standardization & simplification initiatives across Arabia including FFOLead, motivate and constantly upskill a diverse and talented multi-cultural Finance team

Experiences & Qualifications

Professionally quialified accountant (SOCPA certified Chartered Accountant, ACCA, or other accounting certification).Must have extensive experience of working, artitecture and trouble shooting with SAPMinimum 3-4 years of financial experience or similar positions, preferably in FMCG sector

Skills

Managing business performanceStrong accounting backgroundInformation ManagementDecision support & influencingStrong Business acumen

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) BehaviorsPERSONAL 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 embraces diversity and encourages applicants from all walks of life! This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. 

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.