Factory Controller

Function

Work Level

Reports to

Scope

Location

Terms & Conditions

Thayngen factory is a key Foods site in Switzerland serving Retail and Unilever Food Solutions. Its broad portfolio includes mixes, seasonings, bouillons, gravy, dressings, side dishes and meals, and soups.

JOB PURPOSE

The Thayngen Factory Controller position is a great opportunity to further develop in three crucial parts of any finance leadership position: business partnering, controlling, and financial planning and analysis. As Factory Controller, you are part of the Thayngen leadership team and take an active role in shaping the future of the site, not only as a finance expert but also as a leadership team member responsible for product quality, safety, and employee wellbeing. The Factory Controller provides critical financial leadership, offering strategic decision-making support, preparing investment appraisals, and driving the site’s cost optimization and savings agenda to meet all relevant financial targets. Further, the job scope includes delivering in-year performance, annual budgeting, providing forecast updates and presenting the results to the main stakeholders in the site as well as central team in Rotterdam. The controller is also accountable for keeping compliance of the site to the Unilever control framework and audit requirements. The Factory Controller is part of the finance network team with other Foods factory controllers across Europe, and reports into the Finance make network lead.

WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE

• Partner with the Site Leadership Team to support the achievement of financial objectives by proactively identifying performance improvement opportunities and implementing value-adding solutions to enhance site financial outcomes.
• Accountable for the delivery of in-year financial targets across cost, waste, and capital expenditure, including ownership of the site forecast, weekly cost governance and annual business planning process.
• Drives long term strategic planning for the site (Masterplan, Network transformation and annual plan) guiding the site leadership on the key value items
• Co-develop and implement cost-saving initiatives in collaboration with Operations
• Provide analytical support for line and area prioritization based on production costs, OLE (Overall Line Efficiency) losses, and waste data, incorporating business priorities related to cost, service, and cash into improvement planning.
• Manage all site-level month-end and year-end financial closing, reporting, and accounting activities in accordance with corporate guidelines.
• Ensure execution of robust on-site financial controls, including those related to inventory, fixed assets, and balance sheet integrity.
• Actively engage with the broader finance community, contributing to knowledge-sharing and the adoption of best practices across the network.

MAIN INTERACTIONS

a) Thayngen factory teams

• Leadership team (Factory lead, HR, Planning, Operations Manager, Engineering, Quality Manager, Safety Manager and Site Services Manager)
• Project leaders (engineers and specialists)

b) Swiss local team

• Local MSO Finance/Business teams in case of local finance/business projects
• Local MSO accounting team

c) European Central teams

• Foods Make network leads and the Foods central finance team
• Foods Europe Supply Chain Finance Director
• VP Supply chain Foods (performance reviews and analysis)
• Shared resources (MET / OC/ SCFS)

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED

Key Skills:

• Financial Accounting and Reporting – Factory finance and asset management skills are preferred
• Analytical skills, and affinity with digital tools
• Performance management and business partnering
• Team collaboration
• Accountability, responsibility and ability to resolve problems independently

Key Requirements:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in Finance, with a strong background in Controlling; Factory or Supply Chain Finance is preferred.
• Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of German/willingness to develop German language skills is preferred.
• Mobility requirements: Role based in Thayngen factory
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic, fast-changing environment while maintaining strong governance and prioritization frameworks.
• Demonstrated capability to quickly absorb new information and apply advanced techniques, technologies, and procedures to improve operational efficiency.

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bring ing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.