Finance Operations Manager - 12 month FTC

JOB TITLE: Finance Operations Manager (12 month FTC)

COMPANY: Unilever Prestige - UK Hub

DEPARTMENT: Finance

REPORTS TO: Financial Controller

Company overview:

Unilever has built a new division in its Beauty & Personal Care sector - Unilever Prestige. Unilever Prestige focuses on premium luxury brands in a fast-growing segment. Within the UK we operate a Prestige Hub, which functions as the Group Headquarters of REN Clean Skincare and as the UK offices of the other Prestige entities, based in Southwark, London. We are: REN Clean Skincare, Murad Skincare, Living Proof Haircare, TATCHA Skincare and Kate Somerville Skincare.

Position Overview:

The Finance Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing the full cycle of both the accounts receivable and accounts payable functions within the organisation. This role ensures that all incoming and outgoing financial transactions are processed accurately and efficiently, while also maintaining positive relationships with customers, vendors, and internal stakeholders. This position plays a key role in maintaining the financial health of the company by optimising cash flow, ensuring timely payments and collections, and implementing effective financial controls.

Key Responsibilities:

Accounts Receivable (AR):

• Manage Invoicing Process: Oversee the generation, verification, and distribution of customer invoices to ensure timely and accurate billing.
• Credit Control: Monitor outstanding accounts and ensure timely collection of payments, managing credit limits, and minimizing bad debts.
• Reconciliation: Reconcile accounts receivable ledgers to ensure all payments are accounted for and posted accurately.
• Reporting and analysis: Provide detailed reports on AR performance, produce regular aging reports, analyse overdue accounts, and implement strategies for collection.
• Customer Relations: Act as the primary point of contact for customers regarding billing inquiries and disputes, resolving issues in a timely and professional manner.
• Cash Application: Ensure all incoming payments are applied to the correct accounts and that discrepancies are promptly investigated and resolved.

Accounts Payable (AP):

• Oversee and optimise Invoice Processing through the automated process (currently SAP Concur) of receipt, verification, and processing of vendor invoices to ensure accuracy and timeliness of payments.
• Oversee Payment Authorisation and schedules: work with AP lead to optimise process of payment for vendors, from timeliness, accuracy, approvals and ensure that all payments comply with company controls, policies and procedures.
• Support team/business with Vendor Relations: Maintain positive relationships with vendors, negotiating payment terms, resolving disputes, and handling inquiries.
• Work with AP Lead to ensure account reconciliation are clean: Support the team, oversee, optimise and bring in automation to ensure all outgoing payments are accounted for and posted accurately.
• Expense Management: Oversee company expenses and employee reimbursements to ensure they comply with company policies and are properly documented and paid on time.
• Reporting: Provide detailed reports on AP performance, including cash flow management, accounts payable aging, and expenditure analysis.

Dual Responsibilities:

• Process Improvement: Continuously review and improve processes to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and automation within both AR and AP functions.
• Financial Reporting: Assist with the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, ensuring accuracy of AR/AP balances.
• Compliance and Controls: Ensure compliance with internal policies, external regulations, and generally accepted accounting principles for both AR and AP.
• Audit Support: Prepare for and assist with internal and external audits, providing necessary documentation and explanations for AR and AP processes.
• Team Management: Lead and manage a team of AR/AP clerks, providing guidance, training, and performance evaluations to ensure high productivity and accuracy.
• Technology Integration: Work with financial software systems (NetSuite, SAP concur and other bolt on technology) to optimize the AR/AP processes.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 5+ years of experience in accounts receivable and accounts payable roles, with at least 2 years in a managerial capacity.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong knowledge of accounting software (e.g., ERP systems like SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) and Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel).
• Attention to Detail: Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail, with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving discrepancies.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyse financial data, identify trends, and provide insights on cash flow and financial health.
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with internal teams, customers, and vendors.
• Leadership: Demonstrated leadership skills, including experience managing a team and driving performance improvements.
• Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with a focus on finding efficient and compliant solutions.
• Time Management: Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Certifications: Professional accounting certifications (e.g., ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) are advantageous.
• Industry Experience: Experience in industries with high transaction volumes, such as retail, manufacturing, or e-commerce.
• Process Automation: Experience with implementing process improvements or automation in AR and AP functions.

As an equal opportunities’ employer, Unilever Prestige Hub Brands: REN/Murad/Kate Somerville/Living Proof/Tatcha is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse workforce because, in our view, diversity enables better business outcomes. We also believe that a more inclusive workplace, where people of different backgrounds work together, ensures better outcomes for all staff. From application to interview, we place inclusion at the heart of all we do. In particular, we strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Unilever Prestige Hub Brands/REN/Tatcha/Murad/Kate Somerville/Living Proof.