Value Forecast Specialist External

About Unilever

Unilever is one of the world`s largest Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) businesses, with interest across Personal Care, Homecare, Refreshment and Foods product categories. We reach 2 billion consumers a day. It has 161,000 employees. We make products that people love – and that make a difference. Nutritious foods. Household care essentials. Indulgent ice creams. Refreshing teas. Luxurious shampoos. Affordable, disease-combating soaps... and many more. In fact, we make around 400 much-loved brands including global brands such as Knorr & Dove, but also local brand such as Calvé (the Netherlands) and Suave (the Americas) and of course our products of the Vegetarian Butcher. Shoppers buy them in more than 190 countries. That means you’ll find at least one of our products in seven out of ten households on the planet. And we want every one of those products to make a positive impact on the lives of the people who buy them. 

We want our business to flourish, and we know that our success depends on others flourishing around us. That's why our purpose is to make sustainable living commonplace, and why sustainable, long-term growth is at the heart of our business model. 

Job Purpose

For Unilever we are searching for a Performance and Forecast Analyst with a strong focus on continuous improvement. In this position you will be supporting one specific category in 

(1) the forecasting process (S&OP), and 

(2) performance management. It is a fulltime position.

The Performance and Forecast Analyst plays a key role in the Benelux Multi Country Operations (MCO). This role is a great opportunity to work closely with a cross functional team (Sales, Supply Chain, Marketing, other Finance functions, but also Information & Analytics and Tech) and delivers key insights that will be the base for decision making. Such a role requires strong analytical skills and business understanding, as well as the ease to work in a very dynamic environment and focus on continuous improvements. At the same time, it will develop you further to understand the business and create value. 

Responsibilities

Sales & Operations Planning

The forecasting part of the job consists of full responsibility for the total value forecast for one of our categories. The main focus is on the horizon of 3 - 6 months providing the business with a robust forecast, and supporting the business with the identification of risks and opportunities.

Challenge the S&OP process driving towards a high degree of alignment between volume and value.

Provide analysis and insights on forecast performance.
 

Business Performance 

Access, analyze and provide insights in consistency of Profit & Loss development across all measures, difference year-to-date versus year-to-go trends, profit versus investments, balance between customers and channels within a category. 

Responsible for month end process, and reporting to both internal [Benelux] and external stakeholders [Europe].
 

Continuous Improvements

Improving the processes in our S&OP process that generate most value for our stakeholders, by striving to a smooth first time right process. 

Getting control over all the S&OP drivers like volumes, Gross Sales, Trade Terms, Supply Chain Costs to have an accurate gross profit and margin.

Experience and Qualifications

We are looking for an analyst experienced in performance management, hands-on, and with good communication and stakeholder skills. You are fluent in English and have at least 2 years of experience in an FMCG company.

Finance professional with solid experience of the Business Planning (forecasting) and S&OP process (Sales & Operations planning) and who understands Finance’ role within it.

Highly motivated to get things done and pro-active in doing so.

Structured and well organized, and capable of prioritizing multiple tasks while looking for ways to improve processes.

Eager to challenge the status quo.

Enjoys to works with weekly/monthly drumbeats

Strong analytical, planning and Excel skills.

Can handle demanding and multiple stakeholders.

Excellent communication skills and positive attitude

Fitting in our casual no-nonsense culture
 

What does Unilever offer

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 

At the moment, we work from home. We will ensure you are well equipped for this. Once back to work, you can enjoy our tasty canteen with food prepped with own products 

Informal culture and being the first one trying our new products

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.