Unilever
Industrial Finance Manager
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Industrial Finance Manager - Burton and Crumlin
Location: Burton-on-Trent, United Kingdom
Reporting to: Make Network Finance Lead
Earlier this year, Unilever announced an agreement to combine its Foods business with McCormick & Company, creating a scaled global flavour powerhouse. The proposed combination would bring together iconic Foods brands, including Hellmann’s and Knorr, with McCormick’s portfolio to create a global leader across spices, seasonings, condiments and complementary food categories, supported by strong retail and foodservice platforms. McCormick brings more than 135 years of heritage, a presence in 150+ countries and territories, and a portfolio of trusted brands. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, with completion estimated for mid-2027.
Burton and Crumlin are two important Unilever Foods sourcing units in the UK, with complementary portfolios and distinct operational priorities, delivering a combined turnover of €320m. Burton is a UK Condiments and Marmite site, producing products across brands including Hellmann’s, Marmite, Bovril and Colman's. Crumlin is the UK Pot Noodle site and has an important role in the Mini Meals portfolio. Together, the sites represent a broad and dynamic finance scope, with ongoing focus on operational performance, cost competitiveness, investment delivery, controls and transformation.
Main Purpose of the Job
The Burton and Crumlin Industrial Finance Manager position is a great opportunity to further develop in three crucial parts of any finance leadership position: Business partnering, controlling and FP&A. As finance manager for two factories, you are part of both the Burton and Crumlin leadership teams, supporting and contributing to the decision-making process across the two sites.
The role requires the ability to balance priorities across two different operations, build strong relationships with both site teams and provide a joined-up financial view where relevant. You are taking active part in shaping the future of both sites, not only as a finance expert but also as an LT member responsible for quality of products, safety and wellbeing of employees and the factories' CSR agenda.
You provide decision-making support to both LTs, prepare the financial appraisal for investments and drive the savings agenda across Burton and Crumlin. The finance manager is also accountable for keeping compliance of both sites to the Unilever control framework and audit requirements.
The role is part of a European team of Industrial Finance Business Partners and reports into the Foods Network lead for Europe. On main accounting, controlling and reporting tasks, the FM is supported by the site finance resources, a make expertise team (MET) and shared services teams (SCFS, OC, IBM).
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Work Summary / Responsibilities
- Business partnering both Factory Leadership Teams to drive site performance
- Responsible for projects governance and delivery of in-year financial performance (costs/capex/waste/savings) across Burton and Crumlin
- Responsible to ensure site on-ground controls are executed at both sites (inventories, purchase process, IFRS 16, balance sheet etc)
- Co-creates and co-drives the savings agenda with operations across both sites and uses available industrial tools to support (ZBB, benchmarking)
- Budget Planning, Forecasting, weekly cost governance & Month End Activities for Burton and Crumlin
- Drives long-term strategic planning for both sites (Masterplan and BP) guiding the site leadership teams on the key value items
- Supports decision-making for strategic and cross-site projects with ad hoc data/analysis
- Supports in the design and implementation of transformation plans for the Foods network
- Participate in central projects to build finance capabilities for other sites of the cluster/network.
Resource to be Managed Under Position's Authority
- 2 Direct reports; one at each site
Main Interactions
a) Burton and Crumlin factory teams
- Leadership team (Director, HR, Planning Manager, Operations Manager, Manex Manager, Engineering Manager, Repairs & Maintenance Manager, Quality Manager, Safety Manager, and Site Services Manager)
- Project leaders (engineers and specialists)
The FBP actively interacts with both site leadership teams and operations on performance, controls, and decisions, ensuring appropriate focus on each site while identifying opportunities for alignment and sharing best practices.
b) European central teams
- Foods Make network lead and the Foods central finance team
- VP Supply chain Foods (performance reviews and analysis)
- Foods P&I / Planning Teams
- Shared resources (MET / OC/ SCFS)
- Local MSO finance team in case of specific local finance/business projects.
Key Skills Required
- Strong business partnering skills, with the ability to influence and challenge Factory Leadership Teams and operational stakeholders
- Strong financial planning and analytical capability, with the ability to translate complex financial information into clear operational actions
- Ability to manage priorities across two sites, maintaining sufficient focus on each operation while identifying cross-site opportunities and synergies
- Solid understanding of factory finance, including production costs, savings, capex, waste, forecasting, month end, and financial controls
- Ability to lead the financial appraisal and governance of investments, transformation projects, and performance improvement initiatives
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to work across site, country, and European teams
- High level of ownership, accuracy, and control mindset, combined with a practical and solution-oriented approach
- Ability to develop finance capability within the site teams and make effective use of MET and shared service support
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Behavioural and Leadership Requirements
- Acts as a strong and visible finance leader across both sites, building trust with the Factory Leadership Teams and wider site organisations
- Demonstrates passion for high performance and continuous improvement, setting clear expectations and following through on commitments
- Influences and challenges constructively, bringing an independent finance perspective while remaining practical and solution-oriented
- Balances priorities across Burton and Crumlin, making clear choices and maintaining appropriate leadership presence at both sites
- Leads through collaboration, creates alignment across functions, and encourages sharing of best practices between the two sites
- Develops and coaches finance team members and supports stronger financial capability within the operational teams
- Communicates with clarity and confidence, adapting the message for factory teams, senior leadership, and European stakeholders
- Demonstrates curiosity, resilience, and personal accountability, particularly when managing change, ambiguity, and competing priorities
- Role models integrity, a strong control mindset, and commitment to quality, safety, and employee wellbeing
Mobility Requirements
Role based in Burton site in UK, with regular presence and travel between Burton and Crumlin
Professional Qualifications and Experience
- Finance, Accounting, or Business degree, or equivalent professional experience.
- A recognised professional accounting qualification is preferred.
- Typically, 5+ years of relevant Finance experience, ideally including business partnering in a manufacturing or production environment. Demonstrated experience in financial planning, performance management, controls, and investment appraisal would be an advantage.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with operational and senior stakeholders.
- Fluency in English.
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