Finance Controller, Risk & Controls Foods France

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.

JOB PURPOSE

The Country Controller leads local financial accounting and reporting, risk management and control, and internal & external assurance. The role will be integral in establishing and implementing new processes locally to meet reporting requirements for the new combined McCormick company, including complying with the reporting calendar, US GAAP accounting standards and SOX controls frameworks. The role manages two direct reports and is responsible for their continuous development.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Risk Management & Controls

• Ensure that the Financial Controls Framework is embedded and operated in line with the agreed global model, including driving the rollout of any changes required
• Pro-actively lead the risk management agenda, ensuring high-quality risk assessments are conducted and risks are appropriately managed.
• Understand root causes of issues and identify where controls are not operating and drive remediation through relevant business leaders.
• Oversight over financial controls operated outside of Finance (e.g. Supply Chain) and drive focus on operational controls across the business
• Maintain and enforce relevant local authority schedules

Accounting & Reporting

• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting for both group and local statutory reporting
• Continuously improve the quality of accounting and implement changes in group & local accounting standards, policies & procedures
• Oversee the entire process for preparing corporate income tax returns and statutory financial statement notes, in conjunction with the Tax team
• Ensure the accurate preparation and filing of the various tax returns and the related control schedules, including electronic filings
• Ensure the effective completion of Group and French statutory audits with the external auditors, as well as internal audits
• Oversee the preparation of historical and forecast financial documents, including production and commentary, and ensure the effective running of the Supervisory Board meetings for the various entities
• Be the key point of contact for Reporting & Accounting Operations team on all accounting matters
• Liaise with central Reporting & Accounting Operations team to implement and upskill local teams on changes to reporting, for example lease accounting under US GAAP

Expertise Areas

• Active oversight of relevant local filings, enquiries, issue management
• Third Party relationship management where delegated by the relevant Global Expertise team

Internal & External Assurance

• Liaise with Corporate Audit & own any follow up actions
• Owner of relationship with local external auditor

Treasury & Insurance Oversight

• Provide oversight to Treasury operations to ensure compliance to the Global Treasury Standard
• Manage local bank relations
• Implement required standards of risk control and maintain insurance against risks specified in Global Insurance & Risk Control Standards

Leadership & Talent

• Lead, coach and develop the local Controlling team.
• Build strong capability in accounting, controls and risk management.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and compliance.

EXPERIENCE & SKILLS

• 8+ years of experience in Finance
• Strong understanding of different areas of business
• Qualification and/or experience in Accounting, SOX, audit and/or risk management
• Understanding of local regulations relating to accounting and taxation
• Expertise in French profit-sharing requirements.
• Experience in control, design and assessment of business operations effectiveness
• Significant experience managing a large and complex set of stakeholders (including peers and 3rd parties) and holding others accountable
• Significant experience in presenting to and communicating with senior Finance and non-Finance stakeholders

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.

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.