UI Finance Business Partner

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Finance Business Partner

Company: Unilever

Location: Bogota, Colombia

Job Type: Full time

Category: Finance Operations / Business Partnering

Date Posted: 2026-08-03

Experience Level: 5+ years

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days onsite)

🚀 Role Summary

• Act as a key financial liaison and strategic advisor for the Unilever International (UI) business within North America, with a specific focus on the Canadian market.

• Drive financial planning, forecasting, and analysis to ensure accurate financial projections and support the Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) process.

• Provide in-depth analysis of margins, variances, and financial flux to inform strategic decision-making and foster responsible growth across multiple product categories.

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including North America operational companies (OpCos), sales and marketing departments, and global UI Finance teams in Singapore.

• Monitor and report on top-line growth and performance against responsible growth objectives, ensuring financial strategies align with corporate sustainability and ethical business practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is critical for operationalizing financial strategy within a specific geographic market (Canada) while maintaining global alignment. The "UI" designation suggests a focus on Unilever's international or a specialized division, implying a need for understanding complex international trade and financial structures. The emphasis on "responsible growth" indicates a requirement to integrate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) principles into financial analysis and decision-making.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end financial forecasting and annual planning processes for the Canadian P&L, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with global targets.

• Develop and execute robust financial analysis to identify key drivers of profitability, understand margin fluctuations, and explain variances against budget, forecast, and prior periods.

• Partner effectively with commercial teams (Sales, Marketing) in North America to translate business strategies into financial plans and provide insights for performance optimization.

• Support the S&OP process by providing financial input, scenario planning, and impact assessments to ensure alignment between demand, supply, and financial targets.

• Prepare and present comprehensive financial reports, dashboards, and insights to senior leadership at both regional (North America) and global (UI Finance) levels to facilitate informed strategic decisions.

• Manage and oversee the financial performance of various import channels within the Canadian market, identifying opportunities for efficiency gains and revenue enhancement.

• Collaborate with the Singapore UI Finance team to ensure seamless integration of Canadian financial data and reporting into the broader international framework.

• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to topline growth, market share, and profitability, with a specific focus on responsible growth initiatives and sustainability targets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibility for "Channel Management" within Canada implies a need to understand import/export dynamics, customs, and local distribution networks from a financial perspective. The requirement to partner with both North America OpCos and Singapore UI Finance highlights the need for strong cross-cultural communication and an understanding of global financial reporting standards.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related quantitative field is typically expected for roles of this nature. A Master's degree or professional certification (e.g., CPA, CMA, CFA) may be advantageous.

Experience: Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in financial analysis, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), business partnering, or a similar finance role. Experience within the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector or a related industry is highly preferred. Proven track record in managing P&Ls and conducting detailed variance analysis is essential.

Required Skills:

• Advanced English proficiency (written and spoken) for effective global communication and stakeholder engagement.

• Strong technical skills in financial forecasting, budgeting, P&L management, and variance analysis.

• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a demonstrated capacity to interpret complex financial data and derive actionable insights.

• Proven business partnering capabilities, with the ability to build strong relationships and influence decision-making across diverse cross-functional teams and geographical locations.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel (for complex financial modeling, data manipulation, and analysis) and PowerPoint (for executive-level presentations).

• Solid understanding of S&OP principles and their financial implications.

• Experience in financial reporting and presenting financial information to senior management. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with SAP, Oracle, or other major ERP systems for financial data extraction and analysis.

• Familiarity with BI tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or similar for data visualization and dashboard creation.

• Knowledge of financial regulations and compliance standards relevant to the Canadian market.

• Experience in managing financial aspects of import/export operations.

• Understanding of responsible growth principles and ESG reporting metrics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "Advanced Office 365 skills (Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint; strong modelling capabilities required)" signifies a high expectation for proficiency in these tools, particularly Excel for sophisticated financial modeling. The requirement for "Advanced English" is critical given the global nature of Unilever and the need to communicate with teams in Canada, North America, and Singapore.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a history of successfully managing and analyzing P&Ls, showcasing your ability to drive financial performance and identify optimization opportunities.

• Include case studies or examples of complex financial models you have built, highlighting your proficiency in Excel for forecasting, variance analysis, and scenario planning.

• Showcase instances where you have effectively partnered with commercial or operational teams to influence business decisions and achieve financial targets.

• Provide evidence of your ability to translate raw financial data into clear, concise, and actionable insights for senior leadership.

• If possible, include examples of financial reporting or dashboard creation that effectively communicate key performance metrics and strategic recommendations. Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to financial forecasting and planning processes, including methodologies for data collection, assumption setting, and accuracy improvement.

• Detail your experience in the S&OP process, specifically how you contribute financial insights to ensure alignment and inform decision-making.

• Describe your methods for conducting variance analysis, including root cause identification and the development of corrective action plans.

• Outline your approach to business partnering, including strategies for stakeholder engagement, communication, and building trust across functions and geographies.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Finance Business Partner role, a portfolio should emphasize not just technical skills but also the ability to translate those skills into tangible business impact. Focus on quantifiable results and demonstrate how your financial insights led to improved profitability, cost savings, or strategic advantage.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on Unilever's typical compensation structures for experienced finance professionals in major South American markets and considering the specific requirements of this role, an estimated annual salary range for a UI Finance Business Partner in Bogota, Colombia, would likely fall between COP 120,000,000 to COP 180,000,000. This estimate is based on:

• Industry Benchmarks: Comparable roles in multinational FMCG companies in Latin America.

• Experience Level: 5+ years of experience.

• Role Complexity: Significant P&L responsibility and cross-functional/global partnering.

• Cost of Living: Bogota's economic standing as a major capital city.

• Currency Exchange: Conversion rates for international comparisons.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage, including medical, dental, and vision.

• Life insurance and disability coverage.

• Retirement savings plan or pension contribution.

• Paid time off, including vacation days, sick leave, and public holidays.

• Opportunities for professional development, training, and certifications.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.

• Employee assistance program (EAP) for personal and professional support.

• Access to Unilever's global employee discount programs.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours, typically around 40 hours per week. The role is hybrid, requiring onsite presence at the Bogota office three days per week, with flexibility for remote work on the remaining two days. Flexibility may be required to accommodate global time zones for international calls and meetings.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is an estimate for Bogota, Colombia. Actual compensation will be determined by Unilever based on the candidate's specific qualifications, experience, and internal salary bands. The absence of a relocation bonus suggests the role is targeted at candidates already residing in or willing to relocate to Bogota at their own expense.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). Unilever is a global leader in this sector, known for its vast portfolio of brands across beauty, personal care, home care, nutrition, and ice cream. This industry demands agility, strong market understanding, and efficient operations to manage complex supply chains and consumer demand.

Company Size: Unilever is a large multinational corporation with tens of thousands of employees globally. This size offers opportunities for career advancement, exposure to diverse business units, and access to extensive resources, but also requires navigating a structured corporate environment.

Founded: Unilever was founded in 1929 through the merger of the British soap maker Lever Brothers and the Dutch margarine producer Margarine Unie. This long history signifies stability, extensive experience in global markets, and a deep understanding of consumer needs.

Team Structure:

• The Finance function at Unilever is typically structured with global, regional, and local teams. This role sits within the Unilever International (UI) division, which often operates with a degree of autonomy to serve specific markets or channels.

• The Finance Business Partner will likely report to a Finance Manager or Director within the UI North America or Global UI Finance structure.

• Collaboration will be extensive with commercial teams (Sales, Marketing, Brand Management), Supply Chain, and other Finance support functions (e.g., Accounting, Treasury). Methodology:

• Unilever emphasizes data-driven decision-making, with a strong focus on analytics to understand consumer behavior, market trends, and financial performance.

• The company champions "responsible growth," integrating sustainability and social impact into its business strategies and financial planning.

• Agile methodologies and cross-functional collaboration are often employed to respond quickly to market changes and drive innovation.

Company Website: https://www.unilever.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The "UI" designation for Unilever International suggests a business unit that may focus on specific import/export channels, duty-free, or specialized distribution networks. This implies that the Finance Business Partner will need to understand the unique financial complexities associated with these types of operations, which can differ significantly from traditional domestic retail channels.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a mid-to-senior level Finance Business Partner. It requires a solid foundation in financial analysis and planning (5+ years) and involves significant responsibility for a specific market's P&L (Canada). The role demands strategic thinking, strong analytical acumen, and the ability to influence stakeholders at various levels, including senior leadership.

Reporting Structure: The Finance Business Partner will likely report into a regional or global finance leadership role within Unilever International. They will work closely with operational and commercial leaders within the North America OpCo and collaborate with counterparts in Singapore. This structure provides exposure to both regional and global financial operations.

Operations Impact: The Finance Business Partner plays a crucial role in ensuring the financial health and sustainable growth of the Canadian market for Unilever International. By providing insightful analysis, accurate forecasting, and strategic guidance, they directly influence pricing strategies, investment decisions, cost management, and overall profitability. Their work contributes to achieving Unilever's global revenue and responsible growth targets.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in FMCG finance, international finance, or specific channel management (e.g., duty-free, e-commerce).

• Leadership: Progress to Finance Manager or Director roles within Unilever International or other business units, potentially managing larger P&Ls or teams.

• Cross-Functional Moves: Transition into roles within Commercial Finance, Supply Chain Finance, or even operational management roles, leveraging their business understanding.

• Global Mobility: Opportunities to work in other Unilever markets or headquarters, given the company's global footprint.

• Professional Development: Continuous learning through internal training programs, external certifications, and exposure to diverse business challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role and the requirement for global communication suggest a company culture that embraces modern work practices while maintaining strong operational oversight. The emphasis on "responsible growth" offers an opportunity for the candidate to contribute to and gain experience in ESG-aligned financial strategies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Bogota, Colombia, and requires a hybrid work arrangement, meaning approximately three days per week will be spent working from the Unilever office. This suggests a professional office environment designed for collaboration, team meetings, and focused work.

Office Location(s): The specific office is identified as "Bogota Office (Paralelo 108)". This indicates a physical presence within Bogota, likely in a business district accessible to employees.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The office environment likely includes meeting rooms, project areas, and shared workspaces to facilitate interaction with colleagues from finance and other departments.

• Technology Access: Employees will have access to Unilever's standard IT infrastructure, including secure network access, workstations, and communication tools required for hybrid and global collaboration.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model is designed to balance the benefits of in-person collaboration for team building, brainstorming, and strategic alignment with the flexibility of remote work for individual focus and task completion.

Work Schedule: The role is full-time, with standard working hours typically around 40 per week. The hybrid model allows for some flexibility in managing workdays, but adherence to core business hours and availability for international calls across different time zones (North America, Singapore) will be necessary.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Paralelo 108" address points to a specific location within Bogota, likely in a commercial or business hub. The hybrid model is standard for many multinational corporations, aiming to balance employee well-being with business needs.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or HR representative will likely conduct an initial screening to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: An interview with the direct hiring manager (likely a Finance Leader within UI North America or Global UI) to delve deeper into technical skills, operational experience, and strategic thinking.

• Case Study/Technical Assessment: Candidates may be asked to complete a financial modeling exercise or a case study involving P&L analysis, forecasting, or strategic recommendations related to the Canadian market. This assesses practical application of skills.

• Cross-Functional Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with key business partners from Sales, Marketing, or Operations to evaluate collaboration, communication, and influencing abilities.

• Senior Leadership Interview: A final interview with a senior executive (e.g., Head of Finance, Regional Director) to assess overall fit, strategic vision, and leadership potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Achievements: For each project or experience highlighted, use numbers and metrics to demonstrate impact (e.g., "Reduced forecast variance by X%", "Identified Y% cost savings through Z analysis").

• Showcase Financial Modeling: Include examples of complex Excel models that demonstrate your ability to forecast, analyze variances, and build scenarios. Highlight the logic and assumptions used.

• Illustrate Business Partnering: Present instances where you effectively collaborated with non-finance teams, understood their challenges, and provided financial insights that drove business decisions.

• Focus on Strategic Impact: For each portfolio piece, explain not just what you did, but why it was important and what strategic outcome it contributed to.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize experiences relevant to FMCG, international finance, Canadian market dynamics (if applicable), and responsible growth initiatives.

Challenge Preparation:

• P&L Deep Dive: Be prepared to analyze a sample P&L, identify key drivers, variances, and provide strategic recommendations. Practice explaining margin drivers and flux.

• Forecasting Scenarios: Anticipate questions about how you would forecast under different economic conditions or market scenarios.

• Business Partnering Scenarios: Think about how you would approach a situation where commercial teams have ambitious but potentially unrealistic financial targets.

• Responsible Growth Integration: Consider how you would incorporate ESG or sustainability metrics into financial analysis and reporting.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's emphasis on business partnering and influencing senior leaders, the interview process will likely assess not only technical proficiency but also communication skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to build relationships. A well-prepared portfolio that clearly demonstrates these capabilities will be crucial.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Microsoft Excel: Essential for advanced financial modeling, data analysis, variance calculations, and scenario planning. Proficiency in functions, pivot tables, and data visualization is critical.

• Microsoft PowerPoint: For developing executive-level presentations, communicating financial insights, and reporting to senior stakeholders.

• Microsoft SharePoint: Likely used for document management, collaboration, and data sharing within teams.

• ERP Systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle): While not explicitly stated, large multinationals like Unilever typically use robust ERP systems for financial data management. Experience in extracting and analyzing data from such systems is highly valuable.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI): Although not explicitly mentioned, Unilever often utilizes BI tools for creating interactive dashboards and reports to visualize financial performance and trends for stakeholders.

• Internal Unilever Reporting Systems: The company will have its proprietary financial reporting and consolidation tools.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems (e.g., Salesforce): While primarily a finance role, understanding how CRM data (sales pipeline, customer information) interfaces with financial reporting can be beneficial.

• Automation Tools: Experience with any financial process automation tools or RPA (Robotic Process Automation) could be a plus, especially for efficiency improvements.

• Integration Tools: Familiarity with how different financial and operational systems are integrated to ensure data flow and integrity.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "Advanced Office 365 skills (Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint; strong modelling capabilities required)" underscores the paramount importance of these tools. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate their mastery of Excel for complex financial analysis and modeling.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity: Upholding the highest ethical standards in all financial dealings and reporting, aligning with Unilever's commitment to transparency and responsible business practices.

• Accountability: Taking ownership of financial performance, forecasts, and analyses, and being accountable for the insights and recommendations provided.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across diverse teams and geographies, fostering strong partnerships to achieve shared business objectives.

• Excellence: Striving for accuracy, efficiency, and continuous improvement in all financial processes and analyses.

• Respect: Valuing diverse perspectives and fostering an inclusive environment where all team members feel heard and respected.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Business Partnering: Engaging proactively with commercial and operational teams to understand their needs, challenges, and strategic goals, and providing timely financial support and insights.

• Data-Driven Dialogue: Facilitating discussions grounded in data and analysis to drive informed decision-making and challenge assumptions constructively.

• Cross-Cultural Communication: Adapting communication styles to work effectively with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds and time zones, particularly with teams in North America and Singapore.

• Feedback Loop: Establishing a consistent feedback mechanism with stakeholders to ensure financial support is relevant, timely, and impactful.

📝 Enhancement Note: Unilever's stated commitment to "doing work that matters — for people and the planet" suggests a culture that values purpose-driven work and sustainability. This Finance Business Partner role will likely be expected to contribute to and report on "responsible growth" initiatives, integrating ESG considerations into financial strategy.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Global Complexity: Navigating the financial nuances of operating across multiple countries, including currency fluctuations, varying tax regulations, and different market dynamics within the Canadian context.

• Stakeholder Management: Balancing the diverse needs and priorities of various stakeholders across commercial, operational, and global finance teams, ensuring alignment and buy-in for financial strategies.

• Data Integration: Ensuring seamless data flow and reconciliation between different systems and regions (e.g., North America OpCo data, Singapore UI Finance data, Canadian market-specific data).

• Pace of Business: Operating in the fast-paced FMCG industry requires quick analysis, agile decision-making, and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing market conditions.

• Remote Collaboration: Effectively partnering and influencing stakeholders in a hybrid and international environment, requiring strong virtual communication and relationship-building skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Financial Skills: Opportunity to deepen expertise in areas like international tax, transfer pricing, advanced financial modeling, and M&A financial analysis.

• Strategic Leadership Development: Gaining exposure to high-level strategic planning and decision-making, enhancing leadership capabilities.

• Industry Expertise: Developing a deep understanding of the FMCG sector's financial intricacies, supply chain dynamics, and consumer market trends.

• Global Exposure: Working within a multinational corporation provides invaluable experience in global finance operations, cross-cultural collaboration, and international business practices.

• Professional Certifications: Support for obtaining or maintaining professional certifications (e.g., CFA, CMA) that can further enhance career progression.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role presents an excellent opportunity to gain experience in managing financial aspects of international trade and diverse distribution channels, particularly within the Canadian market. The emphasis on "responsible growth" also offers a chance to develop expertise in integrating sustainability metrics into financial planning and performance management.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your experience in managing a P&L for a specific region or business unit. What were your key responsibilities and achievements?" (Focus on P&L ownership, variance analysis, and strategic impact.)

• "How do you approach the financial forecasting and planning process? Walk us through your methodology, including how you ensure accuracy and incorporate market insights." (Highlight your structured approach, data utilization, and S&OP involvement.)

• "Tell us about a time you had to influence a non-finance stakeholder to adopt a particular financial strategy or make a specific business decision. What was the situation, your approach, and the outcome?" (Demonstrate your business partnering and influencing skills.)

• "How would you identify and analyze the key drivers of margin fluctuation in the FMCG sector for the Canadian market?" (Showcase your analytical skills and understanding of industry specifics.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Unilever's commitment to responsible growth, and how do you see that translating into financial planning and analysis?" (Research Unilever's sustainability initiatives and ESG goals.)

• "How do you adapt your communication style when working with diverse teams across different geographies and cultures, such as those in North America and Singapore?" (Emphasize your cross-cultural awareness and communication adaptability.)

• "What are your thoughts on the hybrid work model, and how do you ensure productivity and collaboration in a hybrid environment?" (Express your understanding of hybrid work benefits and challenges.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Structure your portfolio examples as mini-case studies: Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR method). Clearly articulate the business problem, your role, the actions you took, and the quantifiable impact.

• Visual Aids: Use charts and graphs (especially from Excel) to illustrate financial performance, variances, and projections. Ensure they are clear, concise, and visually appealing.

• Focus on Impact: Emphasize the business outcomes of your work – e.g., cost savings achieved, revenue growth supported, improved forecast accuracy, better strategic decisions made.

• Technical Depth: Be prepared to briefly explain the mechanics of your financial models or analysis techniques, especially for Excel-based exercises.

• Conciseness: Present your key achievements efficiently, focusing on relevance to the Finance Business Partner role and Unilever's objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with international finance, even if their direct experience is primarily domestic, by highlighting transferable skills in cross-border analysis, currency awareness, and global reporting principles.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Unilever careers portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Prepare a concise portfolio that highlights 2-3 key projects demonstrating your P&L management, financial analysis (variance, margin), forecasting, and business partnering skills. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize keywords from the job description such as "Finance Business Partner," "Financial Analysis," "Forecasting," "P&L Management," "S&OP," "FMCG," and "Excel modeling." Clearly articulate your 5+ years of relevant experience.

• Interview Preparation: Practice answering common finance business partner interview questions, focusing on behavioral examples using the STAR method. Prepare to discuss your approach to financial modeling and analysis, and how you would partner with commercial teams.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Unilever's mission, values, brands, and recent financial performance, with a specific focus on their "responsible growth" agenda and operations in North America and international markets. Understand their key challenges and strategic priorities.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.