UI Finance Business Partner – North America B&W / PC / HC

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UI Finance Business Partner – North America B&W / PC / HC

Company: Unilever

Location: Bosques, Mexico City, Mexico

Job Type: Full time

Category: Finance / Revenue Operations / Commercial Finance

Date Posted: October 2, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 years

Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days in office, 2 days remote)

🚀 Role Summary

• Strategic financial leadership to drive business performance and responsible growth across the North America UI business, with a specific focus on the Canadian market.

• Pivotal role in managing the Canada P&L for three distinct business groups, requiring comprehensive financial oversight and strategic planning.

• Close collaboration with a diverse range of stakeholders, including regional (North America opco), global (Singapore UI Finance), and cross-functional teams (sales, marketing, supply chain, operations).

• Emphasis on providing insightful financial analysis, influencing senior decision-making, and shaping growth strategies rather than transactional finance tasks.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a strategic Finance Business Partner, not an operational finance role. The emphasis on influencing decision-making, shaping growth strategies, and managing a full P&L for a specific market (Canada) indicates a strong GTM and commercial finance focus. The requirement for advanced English and collaboration with global teams points to a significant international exposure and complexity.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Business Partnering: Act as a key financial advisor to cross-functional teams within North America opco, sales/marketing, and Singapore UI Finance to drive end-to-end business performance and strategic alignment.

• Forecasting & Planning: Lead the development and submission of accurate financial forecasts and actively support the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process to ensure robust financial projections.

• Financial Analysis: Conduct in-depth analysis of margins, variances, and financial flux to provide actionable insights that inform strategic business decisions and performance improvements.

• Performance Management: Monitor and drive topline revenue growth, ensuring all strategies and financial activities align with the company's responsible growth objectives.

• Reporting & Insights: Prepare and present comprehensive financial reports and performance dashboards to senior leadership, influencing key strategic decisions and business direction.

• Channel Management: Oversee and manage the financial performance across multiple Business Groups (BGs) within the Canadian market, ensuring profitability and strategic alignment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly define a strategic GTM finance role. "Driving end-to-end business performance," "oversee financial performance across multiple BG's," and "influence decision-making at senior levels" are core to a GTM Finance Business Partner. The mention of "S&OP process" also highlights the integration with operational planning.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field. A Master's degree or professional certification (e.g., CPA, CMA, CFA) is a strong asset.

Experience: 5-7 years of progressive experience in Finance Business Partnering, Commercial Finance, or similar finance roles with direct exposure to commercial and operational stakeholders. Experience partnering with Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, or Operations teams is a mandatory requirement.

Required Skills:

• Advanced English (C1/C2): Fluent written and verbal communication skills are essential for effective collaboration with global, regional, and cross-functional stakeholders.

• Business Partnering & Influence: Demonstrated ability to build credibility, foster strong relationships, and effectively influence decision-making processes with senior stakeholders.

• Technical Financial Skills: Strong expertise in forecasting, financial planning, variance analysis, profitability management, business case development, and full P&L ownership.

• Communication & Stakeholder Management: Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to quickly establish trust, challenge constructively, and articulate complex financial insights clearly to senior leadership.

• Analytical Mindset: Proven capability to interpret complex financial and business data, translate findings into actionable recommendations, and proactively challenge the status quo to drive improvements.

• Decision-Making & Autonomy: Demonstrated ability to independently solve complex business problems, make sound financial decisions, manage ambiguity effectively, and operate with limited supervision.

• Advanced Office 365 Skills: Advanced proficiency in Excel (financial modeling, complex formulas, data analysis), PowerPoint (presentation development, data visualization), and SharePoint (document management, collaboration).

Preferred Skills:

• Previous experience in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry or within complex multinational organizations with global supply chains.

• Experience supporting regional or multi-country operations, particularly across Latin America or North America, to understand diverse market dynamics.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "direct exposure to commercial and operational stakeholders" and "partnering with Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, or Operations teams" strongly indicates a need for an operations-savvy finance professional. The "full P&L ownership" and "business case development" are critical for GTM strategy support. Advanced Excel and PowerPoint are standard, but SharePoint proficiency points to a need for organized data management and collaboration within a structured environment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrate a track record of successfully managing and optimizing full P&Ls, showcasing detailed financial analysis and strategic decision-making.

• Include examples of complex financial models built for forecasting, budgeting, or scenario planning that drove significant business outcomes.

• Present case studies of how financial insights were used to influence cross-functional teams (Sales, Marketing, Operations) and achieve specific business objectives (e.g., revenue growth, margin improvement, cost reduction).

• Showcase experience in developing business cases for new initiatives, product launches, or market expansions, detailing the financial justification and projected ROI. Process Documentation:

• Evidence of involvement in the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process, detailing contributions to financial integration and alignment.

• Examples of financial reporting frameworks or dashboards developed to communicate performance, variances, and key insights to senior leadership.

• Documentation of how financial analysis was used to identify and drive efficiencies within commercial or operational processes, leading to measurable improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Finance Business Partner role with GTM responsibilities, a portfolio should highlight strategic financial contributions. This includes demonstrating P&L management, financial modeling expertise, and the ability to translate complex financial data into actionable strategies for commercial and operational teams. The S&OP involvement is particularly relevant for understanding the interplay between finance and operational planning.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Given the location in Bosques, Mexico City, the experience level (5-7 years), and the strategic nature of this role within a multinational corporation like Unilever, the estimated annual salary range is MXN $850,000 - $1,200,000. This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for senior Finance Business Partner roles in major Mexican metropolitan areas, considering the advanced English requirement and the scope of P&L responsibility.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., pension fund contributions) with company matching to support long-term financial security.

• Performance-based bonuses and incentives, reflecting the role's direct impact on business growth and financial targets.

• Paid time off, including vacation days, national holidays, and personal days, supporting work-life balance.

• Opportunities for professional development, including access to training programs, workshops, and potential for further certifications.

• Hybrid work model offering flexibility, with 3 days in the office and 2 days remote, promoting a balanced work environment.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are expected, typically around 40 hours per week. While the role is hybrid, there may be periods of increased workload during crucial financial closing periods, forecasting cycles, or S&OP meetings, requiring some flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation for Mexico City requires consideration of the cost of living and typical compensation for finance professionals with 5-7 years of experience in multinational corporations. The role's strategic importance and P&L management responsibilities justify a senior-level salary band. Benefits are standard for large multinationals but are tailored to highlight aspects beneficial to a finance professional focused on strategic growth and long-term career development.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). Unilever is a global leader in consumer goods, operating across beauty, personal care, home care, and foods & refreshment categories. This industry context means a focus on high-volume sales, brand building, supply chain efficiency, and dynamic market responsiveness.

Company Size: Unilever is a large, multinational corporation with tens of thousands of employees globally. This scale implies structured processes, significant resources, diverse career opportunities, and a global operational footprint.

Founded: Unilever was formed in 1929 through the merger of the Dutch Margarine Unie and the British soap maker Lever Brothers. This long history signifies stability, established corporate practices, and a deep understanding of global consumer markets.

Team Structure:

• The finance function at Unilever is typically organized into centers of excellence, business partnering teams, and functional expertise. This role sits within a business partnering unit, likely aligned with specific product categories or geographical markets.

• The reporting structure for this role is likely to be to a Finance Manager or Director responsible for North America or a specific business unit within North America.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone of Unilever's culture, meaning this Finance Business Partner will work closely with Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, Operations, and potentially R&D teams. Methodology:

• Unilever emphasizes data-driven decision-making. Financial analysis will be critical, leveraging internal data and market insights to inform strategies.

• Workflow planning and optimization are integral, especially given the FMCG context. This role will contribute to ensuring financial processes support efficient operations and commercial execution.

• Automation and efficiency practices are likely employed within Unilever's finance function to streamline reporting and analysis, allowing for a greater focus on strategic insights.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Unilever's FMCG context is crucial. It implies a fast-paced environment where financial strategies must support rapid product cycles, extensive distribution networks, and significant marketing investments. The company's size and history suggest robust financial systems and a structured approach to business partnering.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a mid-to-senior level Finance Business Partner position. It requires significant experience in commercial finance and P&L management, coupled with strong influencing skills. It's a step beyond a pure financial analyst role, demanding strategic input and proactive business engagement.

Reporting Structure: The Finance Business Partner will report to a senior finance leader within the North America region, likely a Finance Manager or Director. They will act as a key financial advisor to the leadership of the UI (Unilever International) business in Canada, and potentially other North American markets, and will collaborate extensively with global finance teams.

Operations Impact: The Finance Business Partner has a direct and significant impact on revenue generation and business strategy. By providing critical financial insights, managing P&L performance, and shaping growth initiatives, this role directly influences Unilever's financial health and market competitiveness in North America.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Progression: Potential to advance into a Finance Manager or Director role overseeing larger regions, multiple business units, or specialized finance functions within Unilever North America or globally.

• Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas such as Commercial Finance, Supply Chain Finance, or Strategic Planning within the FMCG sector.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Potential to transition into broader commercial roles, strategic planning, or operational leadership positions leveraging the strong business acumen developed in this role.

• Global Exposure: Continued engagement with global finance teams offers opportunities to work on international projects and gain exposure to diverse market strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a critical stepping stone for finance professionals aiming for leadership within a global FMCG organization. The emphasis on strategic influence and P&L ownership provides a strong foundation for future advancement into more senior finance or even commercial leadership roles.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Bosques, Mexico City, at a Unilever office. This is likely a modern corporate office environment designed to support a hybrid work model.

Office Location(s): Bosques de las Lomas, Mexico City. This area is a well-established business district, offering accessibility and a professional setting.

Workspace Context:

• The office environment is expected to be collaborative, with designated spaces for team meetings, individual work, and informal discussions, facilitating the hybrid model.

• Operations tools and technology will be standard for a multinational corporation, including robust IT infrastructure, access to enterprise-level financial systems, and standard office productivity software.

• Opportunities for interaction with the broader finance team and cross-functional colleagues will be available during in-office days, fostering knowledge sharing and team cohesion.

Work Schedule: The standard work week is 40 hours, with a hybrid arrangement (3 days in office, 2 days remote). While core hours will likely exist, flexibility may be required during critical financial periods (e.g., month-end close, quarterly forecasting, S&OP cycles) to ensure all financial deadlines and reporting requirements are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model (3x2) is a key aspect of the work environment, requiring self-discipline and effective time management. The office location in a major business hub like Bosques de las Lomas suggests a professional and well-connected workspace.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will assess your resume and cover letter for alignment with the core requirements, particularly experience in Finance Business Partnering, P&L management, and advanced English proficiency.

• First Round Interview: Likely a behavioral and technical interview with the hiring manager or a senior finance team member. Expect questions focusing on your experience with forecasting, variance analysis, business partnering, and stakeholder management. Preparation of specific examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is recommended.

• Case Study/Presentation: A common step for this type of role. You may be given a business scenario or financial data and asked to prepare an analysis and presentation on how you would approach a specific challenge (e.g., improving profitability in a certain channel, analyzing a sales trend). This assesses your analytical skills, financial modeling capabilities, and presentation effectiveness.

• Final Round Interview: This may involve meeting with higher-level finance leadership or key cross-functional stakeholders. Questions will focus on strategic thinking, leadership potential, cultural fit, and how you would contribute to Unilever's growth objectives.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For each project or responsibility, clearly articulate the business impact using numbers and metrics (e.g., "Increased margin by X%," "Reduced forecast variance by Y%," "Secured $Z in investment through business case approval").

• Showcase Strategic Thinking: Highlight instances where you moved beyond reporting to provide strategic recommendations, challenged assumptions, or influenced key decisions that led to improved business outcomes.

• Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration: Include examples of how you successfully partnered with Sales, Marketing, Operations, or Supply Chain teams to achieve shared financial and business goals.

• P&L Ownership Clarity: Clearly delineate your responsibilities and achievements related to managing a full P&L, including revenue, cost of goods sold, operating expenses, and profitability.

• Presentation Skills: If presenting a case study, ensure your slides are clear, concise, visually appealing, and effectively communicate your analysis and recommendations.

Challenge Preparation:

• Financial Modeling: Practice building financial models in Excel for forecasting, P&L analysis, and business case development. Be prepared to explain your assumptions and methodology.

• Scenario Planning: Think about how you would analyze different market scenarios (e.g., economic downturn, increased competition) and their financial implications for Unilever's North American business.

• Stakeholder Communication: Prepare examples of how you would communicate complex financial information to non-finance stakeholders, tailoring your message to their needs and understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a strategic Finance Business Partner role will heavily emphasize analytical rigor, strategic thinking, and influencing capabilities. A well-prepared portfolio that showcases quantifiable achievements and strategic contributions is critical for demonstrating readiness for this type of role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Microsoft Excel: Advanced proficiency required for complex financial modeling, data analysis, scenario planning, and creating robust financial reports. Expertise in functions like VLOOKUP, SUMIFS, PivotTables, and data visualization is essential.

• Microsoft PowerPoint: Advanced proficiency for creating compelling financial presentations, summarizing complex data, and influencing senior leadership decision-making.

• Microsoft SharePoint: Essential for document management, collaboration, and sharing financial reports and analyses within the team and with cross-functional partners.

Analytics & Reporting:

• ERP Systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle): While not explicitly mentioned, experience with Enterprise Resource Planning systems is common for extracting financial data and understanding transactional flows.

• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI): Familiarity with BI tools for data visualization and dashboard creation to track key performance indicators (KPIs) and communicate financial insights effectively.

• Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Software: Experience with dedicated FP&A software for budgeting, forecasting, and financial consolidation can be beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems (e.g., Salesforce): Understanding how to link CRM data (sales pipeline, customer information) with financial performance is advantageous for commercial finance roles.

• Automation Tools: While not a primary focus, familiarity with any automation tools used within finance for reporting or data manipulation can be a plus.

• Internal Unilever Systems: Expect to work with Unilever's proprietary internal financial planning and reporting systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core tools are Microsoft Office Suite, with a strong emphasis on Excel for financial modeling and analysis. Experience with BI tools and ERP systems is highly relevant for extracting and interpreting financial data, which is critical for a strategic business partner role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity: Upholding the highest ethical standards in all financial dealings and reporting, ensuring trust with stakeholders.

• Accountability: Taking ownership of financial performance, analysis, and strategic recommendations, driving results for the business.

• Collaboration: Working effectively across functions and geographies to achieve shared business objectives, fostering a team-oriented approach.

• Innovation: Proactively seeking new ways to improve financial processes, drive efficiencies, and uncover new growth opportunities for the business.

• Passion for Growth: A strong drive to understand and contribute to the company's growth agenda, using financial expertise to guide strategic decisions.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Engagement: Regularly connecting with Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain teams to understand their challenges and provide financial support and insights.

• Constructive Challenge: Willingness to challenge business assumptions and plans constructively, backed by sound financial data and analysis, to ensure optimal decision-making.

• Transparent Communication: Maintaining open and transparent communication channels, sharing financial performance, insights, and forecasts clearly and timely.

• Knowledge Sharing: Contributing to the finance team's collective knowledge by sharing best practices, insights, and learnings from business partnerships.

📝 Enhancement Note: Unilever's culture likely emphasizes a data-driven, collaborative, and growth-oriented approach. For a Finance Business Partner, embodying these values means being a strategic partner who provides insights, challenges constructively, and supports business objectives with financial acumen.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Complex Structures: Managing financial relationships and driving consensus across multiple business groups (BGs) and geographies (Canada, North America, Global) within a large multinational corporation.

• Data Integration & Analysis: Synthesizing financial data from various sources and systems to provide a cohesive and insightful view of business performance.

• Influencing Without Direct Authority: Effectively guiding and influencing decision-makers in Sales, Marketing, and Operations who may have different priorities, requiring strong communication and negotiation skills.

• Pace of FMCG: Adapting to the fast-paced nature of the FMCG industry, where market dynamics can shift rapidly, requiring agile financial planning and responsiveness.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Financial Acumen: Deepening expertise in commercial finance, P&L management, and strategic financial planning within the unique context of the FMCG industry.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gaining a comprehensive understanding of sales, marketing, supply chain, and operational dynamics to provide more holistic financial guidance.

• Leadership Skills: Developing advanced stakeholder management, negotiation, and strategic influencing skills through daily interaction with senior leaders.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining valuable experience with Unilever's global operations, strategies, and financial frameworks, which can be leveraged for future career advancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the strategic complexity of the role, requiring strong analytical, communication, and influencing skills to navigate a large, dynamic organization and industry. The growth opportunities are geared towards developing a well-rounded finance leader with deep industry and functional expertise.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to influence a senior leader or cross-functional team to adopt a financial strategy they were initially resistant to. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on influencing skills, data-driven arguments, and stakeholder management).

• "How would you approach developing a financial forecast for a new product launch in the Canadian market, considering potential market risks and competitive pressures?" (Assess strategic financial planning, risk assessment, and scenario analysis).

• "Walk us through your process for analyzing profitability variances for a specific product category or sales channel. How do you identify root causes and recommend corrective actions?" (Evaluate analytical methodology, problem-solving, and action orientation). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Unilever's approach to responsible growth, and how would your financial insights support these initiatives?" (Tests research and alignment with company values).

• "How do you see the Finance Business Partner role contributing to the success of the UI business in North America, beyond just reporting financial numbers?" (Focus on strategic value proposition and understanding of the role's impact).

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid environment. How do you ensure effective collaboration and productivity with both in-office and remote team members?" (Assesses adaptability to work arrangements and collaboration strategies). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each portfolio example, clearly define the business challenge, your specific role and actions, the financial tools/analysis used, and the quantifiable business impact.

• Highlight Strategic Contributions: Emphasize instances where your financial analysis led to significant strategic shifts, improved decision-making, or substantial business improvements (e.g., revenue growth, margin expansion, cost savings).

• Showcase P&L Ownership: Be prepared to detail your responsibilities and achievements in managing a full P&L, demonstrating your understanding of all revenue and cost drivers.

• Visual Aids: Use clear and concise visuals (charts, graphs) to illustrate financial data and trends. Ensure your presentations are professional and easy to follow.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic financial thinking, strong analytical capabilities, and effective communication, especially in the context of influencing business decisions and driving growth within a large, complex organization.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UI Finance Business Partner position:

• Submit your application through the Unilever Careers portal via the provided link.

• Customize your resume: Tailor your resume to highlight specific experiences in Finance Business Partnering, Commercial Finance, P&L management, forecasting, variance analysis, and stakeholder management. Use keywords from the job description and quantify your achievements with numbers.

• Prepare your portfolio: Select 2-3 key projects or responsibilities that best showcase your strategic financial analysis, P&L ownership, and cross-functional collaboration skills. Be ready to discuss these in detail, focusing on the business impact and your specific contributions.

• Practice your presentation: If a case study or presentation is expected, practice delivering your analysis and recommendations clearly and concisely, ensuring you can articulate your thought process and financial rationale.

• Research Unilever: Familiarize yourself with Unilever's brands, business units (especially UI), financial performance, and corporate values, particularly their commitment to responsible growth and sustainability. This will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ 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.