ICE CREAM Controls Excellence & SoX Senior Manager

This job is with Unilever, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.

Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Full-time. Local conditions apply.

ABOUT ICE CREAM: Life Tastes Better With Ice Cream. Unilever Ice Cream is the largest global Ice Cream Company in the world, with over 100 years of experience delivering a diverse range of indulgent, yet responsible, craft food experiences and treats delighting consumers. Committed to innovation, quality, and sustainability we have 35 brands, including 3 one billion Euro brands (Magnum, Wall's, Ben & Jerry's), a strong presence in over 60 countries, generating annual revenue of €8 billion.

JOB PURPOSE: The newly created Ice Cream Group Controlling Team is a core part of the central Ice Cream Finance team. Ice Cream Group Controlling Team is responsible for Ice Cream's external financial reporting and global financial reporting controls (including Sarbanes Oxley compliance), managing the global auditor relationship; determining and implementing Ice Cream's accounting policies; and many other projects related to how Ice Cream measures its performance and presents and communicates this to the external world.

The Controls Excellence and SOX Compliance Manager is primarily responsible for ensuring the organization's internal controls and SOX compliance frameworks meet regulatory requirements and industry best practices. This role will oversee the design, implementation, and testing of controls, particularly focusing on SOX compliance, and will drive continuous improvement efforts within the controls environment. This senior manager will lead cross-functional initiatives to strengthen control processes, mitigate risk, and foster a strong culture of compliance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage the company's SOX compliance program, including the design, documentation, testing, and remediation of internal controls over financial reporting.
• Ensure that control activities comply with SOX requirements, identifying and addressing control gaps as needed.
• Develop and maintain the SOX controls library, updating it as processes change or new risks are identified.
• Lead the development and execution of the organization's internal controls strategy, focusing on operational efficiency, risk mitigation, and compliance.
• Conduct periodic risk assessments to identify high-risk areas and align control activities with evolving business risks.
• Act as the primary point of contact for internal and external auditors regarding SOX and internal control matters.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of control professionals, fostering a culture of compliance and promoting best practices in SOX and control excellence.
• Collaborate closely with finance, IT, operations, and other departments to integrate control processes and ensure cross-functional alignment.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED:

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, or a related field.
• Professional qualification (e.g., CPA, CFA) is preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in internal controls, SOX compliance, audit, or risk management, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role.
• Comprehensive knowledge of SOX requirements, COSO framework, and control principles.
• Proficiency in control documentation, risk assessment, and testing methodologies.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and prioritise effectively.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels.

WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?

Unilever is the place where you can be yourself and bring your purpose to life with the work that you do - creating a better business and a better world. We offer an exciting & dynamic work environment where you can make things happen. Furthermore, we offer some great reward and benefits!

Attractive total remuneration package; excellent company pension, bonus and share scheme. Flexible cross-disciplinary career opportunities and a wealth of training opportunities & wellbeing resources whenever and wherever. Plenty of company-paid holidays to further ensure your work-life balance is maintained.

We encourage an inclusive culture, which comes to life with interchangeable public holidays, paid paternity leave of 6 weeks and our transgender policy. Under the Hybrid Working principles, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 40% in the office or at customers, suppliers or partners to connect and collaborate.