JOB PURPOSE<\/p>\n
\tTo lead the S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning) forecasting process and commercial scenario planning for Southern Africa, while owning key forecasting systems, tools, and automation initiatives (e.g. Oracle Forecasting and Reporting, Advanced Analytics, Machine Learning). The role acts as the central integrator between finance, commercial, and systems teams, ensuring robust, timely, and insight-led decision making.<\/p>\n
Key Responsibilities<\/p>\n
S&OP & Scenario Planning Leadership<\/p>\n
\tOwn and coordinate the quarterly S&OP forecasting cycle, ensuring alignment across business groups and stakeholders
\n\tDevelop and maintain commercial scenarios (volume, price, mix) to support leadership decision-making
\n\tEnsure delivery against strict timelines, with clear governance and tracking of inputs and outputs
\n\tChallenge assumptions to improve forecast accuracy and credibility<\/p>\n
Systems & Forecasting Capability Ownership<\/p>\n
\tAct as the business owner and go-to expert for GCUT and forecasting tools
\n\tDrive continuous improvement in forecasting systems, including automation, simplification, and data integrity
\n\tLead the adoption of advanced analytics and machine learning solutions to enhance forecasting capability
\n\tPartner with global and technical teams to deliver system enhancements and resolve issues<\/p>\n
Commercial Finance Business Partnering<\/p>\n
\tTranslate forecasts into clear commercial insights, highlighting risks and opportunities
\n\tProvide strong analytical support on performance drivers, including price, volume, and mix
\n\tEngage with finance and commercial teams to interpret results and guide decision-making
\n\tProactively identify inconsistencies and ensure alignment between financials and operational realities<\/p>\n
Stakeholder Management & Governance<\/p>\n
\tCoordinate across Finance, Supply Chain, Commercial, and Global teams to drive alignment
\n\tEnsure strong communication and clarity throughout the S&OP process
\n\tAct as a trusted partner to senior stakeholders, providing clear, fact-based recommendations<\/p>\n
Profile & Capabilities<\/p>\n
\tStrong commercial acumen with the ability to interpret and challenge financial and operational data
\n\tProven experience in S&OP, forecasting, or financial planning processes
\n\tDeep understanding of forecasting tools\/systems (e.g. GCUT or similar)
\n\tHigh capability in analytics and data interpretation; exposure to automation or advanced analytics is advantageous
\n\tExcellent stakeholder management and coordination skills, with the ability to work across multiple teams
\n\tStrong delivery mindset with the ability to operate under tight timelines and high-pressure cycles<\/p>\n
Skills<\/p>\n
\tFinancial Analysis
\n\tProficiency in SAP and Microsoft Excel
\n\tExcellent communication and influencing skills.
\n\tStakeholder Management<\/p>\n
Qualifications & Experience<\/p>\n
\tMinimum 3-5 years experience in Finance, with strong exposure to business performance and planning
\n\tAt least 3 years in FP&A, S&OP, or forecasting roles, with demonstrated ownership of planning cycles
\n\tBCom Accounting (or equivalent) is required
\n\tCA(SA), CIMA, or similar professional qualification is advantageous
\n\tData Analytics certification (or equivalent practical experience) preferred
\n\tExperience in FMCG or a similar fast-paced, high-volume industry is required
\n\tStrong exposure to forecasting systems (e.g. GCUT, SAP, Hyperion Essbase, or similar planning tools)
\n\tExperience working with or driving automation, digital transformation, or machine learning initiatives is highly beneficial<\/p>\n
go to method of application \u00bb<\/p>\n
Apply via company website ( https:\/\/www.unilever.co.za ) or<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_promoted":"","_job_location":"","_application":"","_company_name":"Unilever","_company_website":"https:\/\/www.unilever.co.za","_company_tagline":"On any given day, two billion people use Unilever products to look good, feel good and get more out of life. With more than 400 brands focused on health and wellbeing, no company touches so many people\u2019s lives in so many different ways. Our portfolio ranges from nutritionally balanced foods to in... read moredulgent ice creams, affordable soaps, luxurious shampoos and everyday household care products. We produce world-leading brands including Lipton, Knorr, Dove, Axe, Hellmann\u2019s and Omo, alongside trusted local names such as Blue Band, Pureit and Suave. For us, sustainability is integral to how we do business. With 7 billion people on our planet, the earth\u2019s resources can be strained. This means sustainable growth is the only acceptable model of growth for our business. The Unilever Sustainable Living Plan sets out to decouple our growth from our environmental impact, while at the same time increasing our positive social impact. Our Plan has three big goals that by 2020 will enable us to: - Help more than a billion people to improve their health and well-being. - Halve the environmental footprint of our products. - Source 100% of our agricultural raw materials sustainably and enhance the livelihoods of people across our value chain. We believe that as a business we have a responsibility to our consumers and to the communities in which we have a presence. Around the world we invest in local economies and develop people\u2019s skills inside and outside of Unilever. And through our business and brands, we run a range of programmes to promote hygiene, nutrition, empowerment and environmental awareness. 15 Nollsworth crescent Durban North 4019, South Africa","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_filled":0,"_featured":0,"_remote_position":0,"_job_salary":"","_job_salary_currency":"","_job_salary_unit":""},"job_listing_region":[16],"job-types":[12],"class_list":{"0":"post-37505","1":"job_listing","2":"type-job_listing","3":"status-publish","4":"hentry","5":"job_listing_region-kwazulu-natal","7":"job-type-full-time"},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job-listings\/37505","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job-listings"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/job_listing"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37505"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"job_listing_region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job_listing_region?post=37505"},{"taxonomy":"job_listing_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobs.dataaxisnode.com\/southafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/job-types?post=37505"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}