6550_Unilever_MBY_6pp_FM_tcm28-365477

8/13/2019 6550_Unilever_MBY_6pp_FM_tcm28-365477

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“I BUILT THEBUSINESS PLANFOR THE GLOBALLAUNCH OFTHE DOVE MENCARE RANGE.”

FINANCIALMANAGEMENT

UNILEVER FUTURE LEADERS PROGRAMMEwww.unilever.co.uk/careers-job/graduates



BENGREENFinancialManagementTrainee

What responsibility were you given?I provided all the financial inputsto make the business case forlaunching a new Dove range globally.It was quite daunting, not long outof university, to have lots of reallyexperienced marketers rely on me!But you quickly start learning frompeople who have built these casesbefore. I had a lot of support from my

line manager, who showed me whereto go to get the information I needed.

What key decisions wereyou making?At every stage I had to make bigcalls that were going to affectwhether the project went ahead:even if it’s based on research it’s stillsubjective, there’s no right or wronganswer. Do you go for a smell thatis more expensive if it’s the one

everybody went for in testing? Howmuch do we allocate to packaging?The challenge is trying to avoid orminimise compromise.

How was your work–life balance?Some late nights, because when theUK switches off at 5 o’clock, Brazilis switching on. But you manageyour own schedule and there isa lot of flexibility – there’s no set

time to be in the office.

“When I started, this newDove range didn’t exist.Nine months later,

we’ve got adverts onthe TV. That makesme smile! I learnedso much: the projectprobably developedme more than any otherrole because of the levelof responsibility.“

To read more of our

graduates’ stories visitwww.unilevergraduatesblog.co.uk

Ben Green studied Politics and BusinessManagement at Loughborough. His first ninemonth placement was in the Accounts PayableTeam, performing analysis on debtors and theimpact on the UK business. This, his second, waswith the Dove team in London. He has completedhis Future Leaders Programme and is now the UK’sFinancial Reporting Manager.

“I BUILT THE BUSINESSPLAN FOR THE GLOBALLAUNCH OF THE DOVEMEN CARE RANGE.”

What did you most enjoy?The Unilever Global HQ. It is oneof the finest buildings in LondonI would say, it’s quite a sight. It is fullof people from all over the world,it’s really multicultural.

How did it go?When I started, this new Dove rangedidn’t exist. Nine months later, we’ve

got adverts on the TV. That makesme smile! I learned so much: theproject probably developed me morethan any other role becauseof the level of responsibility.



Loved the world overWe make some of the world’smost loved brands: Dove, Lynx,PG Tips, Sure, Magnum, Persiland Hellmann’s, to name a few.Over 173,000 employees aroundthe world work to bring them to life.They’re sold in 190 countries, andare used by two billion people daily.We have an impact on lives in so

many different ways, from providingfoods and refreshment to cleaningclothes and washing hair.

What’s working in FinancialManagement like?You will work across local,regional and global teams. We aretrusted advisors right across thebusiness and you’ll be in the thick ofinfluencing strategy and investmentdecisions from day one. You will bemaking decisions which directlydetermine the future of our brands,

the way we work with our customersand how we run our supply chain.

WHAT’S WORKING IN FINANCIALMANAGEMENT LIKE?

Analytical mindset? Business brain? Aspirationsto become a FTSE 100 CFO? A career in FinancialManagement could be right for you. At Unilever,Financial Management is about so much morethan numbers. It’s the lifeblood of our business –touching every area, informing multi-million eurodecisions, and directly influencing the development,growth and health of our brands.

A small tasteof what youcould be facingwhen workingin FinancialManagementat Unilever:

THE BRANDSPreparing businesscases for the launch ofthe next Ben & Jerry’svariety. THE SHAREHOLDER

Analysing performance

of our €51bn businessand providing insight tothe CEO and CFO.

THE QUALIFICATIONStudying to become a CharteredManagement Accountant.

THE CONSUMERAnalysing the impact ofconsumer trends on ourbusiness performance.

THE CUSTOMERBuilding joint strategieswith the world’s biggestretailers.

THE FINANCIALSTATEMENTSPreparing managementand financial statementsfor our leading FTSE100 Company.

THE SUPPLY CHAINAllocating fixed cost to Persillaundry detergent throughactivity based costing model.

For example, some of our graduates

are currently focusing on:• The consumer: analysing the

impact of consumer trends onbusiness performance

• Our brands: building businesscases for the launch of the nextBen & Jerry’s flavour

• The customer: building jointstrategies with the world’sbiggest retailers

• International experience: working

in Singapore driving financialefficiencies across our networkof factories in South East Asia

• The shareholder: preparingmanagement and financialstatements for our leadingFTSE 100 company.

What do we look for?It might come as a surprise, butwe don’t have a specific disciplinerequirement, so you don’t have to

have a background in finance oreconomics. We are looking forstrong analytical skills, a talent forinfluencing people and a real desireto understand how a businessoperates and succeeds. Enthusiasmand commitment go a long way. Weare looking for our future FinancialManagement leaders.

What will the programme involve?

You’ll take on three stretchingplacements across our businesses,and we’ll give our best candidates theopportunity to work internationally.You’ll gain experience both inFinancial and Managementaccounting, and this will beunderpinned by studying for yourChartered Institute of ManagementAccountants (CIMA) qualification.It will be hard work, but we’re lookingfor people who relish the chance to

push themselves.



BIG NUMBERSMAKING A BIGDIFFERENCE

55%of our business comesfrom emerging markets

€6.8bn spent on advertisingand promoting

€4.3bn cash generatedeach year

€51bn global turnover

€2.5bn sales in the UK

14 brands with salesof more than€1 billion a year



The Unilever Future LeadersProgramme (UFLP) is about havinga big impact on business, right fromthe start. It’s about growing iconicmulti-million euro, market-leadingbrands from day one. It’s aboutlearning business fast. You’ll tapinto continuous business mentoring,excellent training and hands-onresponsibility. You’ll learn likeyou’ve never learned before.

It’s challenging, make no mistake.But we’re looking to make managersof you in two years, while helping you

gain your CIMA qualification.

In focusing on your wholedevelopment, personally andprofessionally, we’ll concentrateon three key areas: learning byexperience learning throughpeople and formal learning,including qualifications.

Learn from experienceFrom day one you’ll be given theresponsibility to solve a variety ofsurprising and important issues –you’ll have real ownership of keydecisions. It’s the fastest way tolearn. All elements of our businessinteract, so you’ll be working withexperts across many disciplineson a number of different placementswithin your chosen area. You’ll workin different locations – in somecases internationally – and by

experiencing multiple aspects of thebusiness hands-on, you’ll be betterplaced to progress your career.

Learn from peopleYou’ll receive direct attentionto focus on your needs and helpyou develop your skills. You’llget business mentoring fromexperienced managers, individualcoaching, advice from a trainee‘buddy’, as well as having the UFLPnetwork to call on.

Formal learningYou will follow a world-classlearning roadmap throughout thetwo years of the programme thatencompasses a range of general

and leadership skills programmesdelivered through e-learning andinstructor-led training sessions.In addition we offer a market-leading CIMA support package

We have big ambitions to grow our business – butto do it we need great people who can challengethe way we do things, bring new ideas to the tableand dare to take big decisions. We want our futureto be shaped and made by you.

worth over £15,000 with 14 weekssupported study leave in your firsttwo years. On top of this you willhave additional training specificallyrelated to Financial Management.

Analytics opportunitiesThe level of information withinmodern business is unprecedented,be it evaluating consumerresponsiveness to digital advertisingor tweeting trends on brands.At Unilever, we believe in the powerof insight from information and weare building ‘Big Data’ expertise.

If you are fascinated by this youcould have a key role to play in thedevelopment of this capabilitywithin Financial Management.

BUILDINGLEADERSHIPCAPABILITY

LEARNING THROUGHEXPERIENCE• Challenging

assignments• Real responsibility

LEARNING THROUGH PEOPLE• Trainee buddy• Experienced manager as mentor• Individual coaching

FORMAL LEARNING• Professional qualifications• Business area training• ‘Soft skills’ training



HOW DOI APPLY?

REWARDS& BENEFITS

What are the rewards and benefits?

• A starting salary of £29,000reviewed every six months forthe first two years, based onperformance

• An annual bonus based on personaland business performance

• A one-off payment if you havea Masters/PhD

• London allowance when basedin central London

• Longer-term management share

awards, based on performance.

Other benefits include:• Contributory pension• Private health insurance• Life assurance• Interest-free loan of £5,000

when you join• Flexible and agile working• 25 days’ annual leave• Full CIMA support worth over

£15,000 plus 14 weeks’ study leave

• Relocation programme: movingexpenses and contract signingfee paid and assistance withfinding accommodation at yournew location

• Discounted staff shop• Access to sport, leisure and

numerous other on-site facilities.

What are the requirements?It might come as a surprise, but

we don’t have a specific disciplinerequirement, so you don’t have tohave a background in finance oreconomics. We are, however, lookingfor something very specific: stronganalytical skills, a talent forinfluencing people and a real desireto understand how a businessoperates and succeeds. Enthusiasmand commitment go a long way.

The application process for the

Future Leaders Programmeinvolves four stages:• Application form• Online test• Telephone interview• Selection day.

All the information you need to know,including an application form andadvice on how to apply, can befound on our website at

www.unilever.co.uk/careers-jobs/graduates

PlacementsFor information on our 12-weekSummer and 12-month IndustrialPlacement opportunities and howto apply, please go towww.unilever.co.uk/careers-jobs/graduates/industrial-placement

www.facebook.com/unilevercareers

www.twitter.com/unilevergradsuk

www.unilevergraduatesblog.co.uk

6550_Unilever_MBY_6pp_FM_tcm28-365477

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