JV Finance BP Gulf

Job Position:

Function: Finance

Current WL: 2C

Reports to: NFD Gulf

Scope: Gulf

Location: Dubai

Business Context and Main Purpose of the Job

Gulf is the largest BU in NAME with one of the highest profitability globally. Competitive landscape is intense with all major global and local competitors investing for market share. There is significant economic and political volatility in the region with Oil prices having a significant impact on market growth. The strategy for the region is to grow competitively while maintaining the high margins.

The Finance Manager is part of the Gulf Finance Leadership Team which sets the agenda and runs the finance function across 5 countries in the Gulf business unit.

This role partners the Country Directors and the customer/channel Director of the Gulf Business Unit and drives the finance agenda within the countries (Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar). This includes finance processes, debtors control, guiding profitability of the country P&L and advising on trade investment levels. This role has a seat at the CD leadership team which sets and drives the customer development agenda for the Gulf BU.

CD Finance Manager is also responsible for fulfilling all aspects of finance of the four Joint Venture Distribution companies (2 in UAE, 1 each in Oman and Bahrain) including fulfilling statutory requirements of the JVs, preparation and audit of financial statements, organizing board and annual general meetings, payment of dividends, control over collections etc.

Leadership will be important, both within the finance function but also more widely across all the functions in the company, particularly Sales. He/she will be expected to take a lead role in the development of the finance team reporting into him.

Main Accountabilities

Manage all commercial activities in country, ensuring that sales results are accurately reported, debtors are controlled and strong operational controls are maintained.

Organize and manage the Annual General Meetings, dividend payouts etc. within the 4 Distribution JV companies.

Manage governance forums linked with JVs and key finance priorities

Drive efficiency of promotions (ROMI/OPSO agenda) in Gulf

Lead the Cost Effectiveness Program in the Gulf Business Unit for Non-Supply Chain areas

Provide commercial inputs & support the Country Directors on various projects to support them in achieving business results in line with committed plans.

Monitor performance through the preparation and critical appraisal of CEP, OPSO, Debtors vs Forecast on a timely, action orientated information to other functional colleagues at all levels on regular bases.

Ensure that the commercial controls in the area of TTS/BMI spend, selling systems and concern entities are effective and assist management in maximizing the productivity of expenditure.

Ensure VAT compliance for JVs specifically and for Gulf BU in general, while minimizing VAT leakage.

Lead a diverse multi-cultural commercial team in the agencies.

Develop a high-quality cadre of finance managers.

Total of 5 countries are in scope.

Direct Reports

Key Interfaces

- TTS Asst. Manager
- Country Asst Finance Managers
- OPSO Asst Finance Managers

- Country Directors
- CCD team
- Finance Leadership Team Gulf
- Gulf Ex Com
- JV partners CFOs

Requirements
Critical success Factors for the Job

Key Skills
Relevant Experience

- Managing business performance
- Decision support & influencing skills
- Information Management
- Communication and change management
- Business acumen & Customer, consumer understanding
- Internal controls and process management

- Professional accounting qualification
- Prior experience with Brand, SC and Controlling

About the Company
Unilever is one of the leading FMCG company with 400 brands spanning 14 categories of home, personal care and foods products, no other company touches so many people's lives in so many different ways.

Our brand portfolio has made us leaders in every field in which we work. It ranges from much-loved world favourites including Lipton, Knorr, Dove and Omo, to trusted local brands such as Blue Band and Suave.

From comforting soups to warm a winter's day, to sensuous soaps that make you feel fabulous, our products help people get more out of life.

We're constantly enhancing our brands to deliver more intense, rewarding product experiences. We invest €1 billion every year in cutting edge research and development, and have five laboratories around the world that explore new thinking and techniques to help develop our products.