Earlier this year, Unilever announced an agreement to combine its Foods business with McCormick & Company, creating a scaled global flavour powerhouse. The proposed combination would bring together iconic Foods brands, including Hellmann’s and Knorr, with McCormick’s portfolio to create a global leader across spices, seasonings, condiments and complementary food categories, supported by strong retail and foodservice platforms. McCormick brings more than 135 years of heritage, a presence in 150+ countries and territories, and a portfolio of trusted brands. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, with completion estimated for mid-2027.
Job Title Senior Manager, Sustainability Finance & Capital Mobilisation
Function Global Procurement Centre of Excellence – Sustainability
Reports to End-to-End Procurement Sustainability Director
Scope Global
Country Location and Worksite Details London or Rotterdam
JOB PURPOSE
This role exists to build and lead a world-class sustainability co-financing capability that unlocks external capital and strategic partnerships to accelerate Foods' climate, nature and livelihoods ambitions. The role will define the future financing architecture for regenerative agriculture and supply-chain transformation, mobilising investment from customers, suppliers, financial institutions, governments, foundations and impact investors. As a senior leader within the Procurement Sustainability organisation, the role will shape strategic investment decisions, create scalable funding models and establish innovative finance as a key enabler of long-term business resilience, growth and sustainability performance.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Define and lead the global sustainability co-financing strategy for Foods, establishing innovative finance as a core business capability that accelerates delivery of climate, nature and livelihoods commitments while strengthening long-term supply resilience and competitive advantage.
- Own the end-to-end portfolio of sustainability financing opportunities, ensuring a robust pipeline of investment mechanisms capable of mobilising substantial external funding across priority commodities, sourcing landscapes and strategic programmes.
- Act as the strategic advisor on capital mobilisation, investment prioritisation and partnership models that accelerate sustainability outcomes and business value creation.
- Build and manage strategic relationships with financial institutions, development finance institutions, governments, foundations, customers, suppliers and impact investors to secure co-investment into priority sustainability initiatives.
- Structure and negotiate innovative financing mechanisms including blended finance, sustainability-linked financing, revolving funds, supplier financing programmes, landscape investment vehicles and outcome-based funding models.
- Lead development of investment cases, financial models and partnership proposals that demonstrate commercial, environmental and social returns while influencing senior decision makers.
- Establish the governance, processes, financial frameworks and external partnerships required to institutionalise co-financing as a repeatable capability within the future Procurement organisation.
- Drive advocacy across relevant organisations and networks to shape enabling frameworks for sustainability investment and delivery.
- Represent Procurement externally with investors, development finance institutions, philanthropic organisations, customers and industry platforms to position the company as a leader in scaling innovative supply chain and climate investment solutions.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Proven track record leading complex sustainability finance, impact investing, blended finance or capital mobilisation programmes at global scale.
- Demonstrated ability to influence senior executives and shape strategic investment decisions across multiple functions and external organisations.
- Strong commercial and financial leadership capabilities, including investment structuring, portfolio management, business case development and value creation.
- Significant experience building and leading multi-stakeholder partnerships involving corporates, financial institutions, governments, development agencies and investors.
- Ability to create new capabilities, operating models and governance structures in ambiguous and rapidly evolving environments.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in regenerative agriculture, climate finance, nature finance or sustainable food systems.
- Experience with development finance institutions, sustainability-linked financing instruments, carbon markets, agricultural investment funds or blended finance structures.
- Experience operating across global food, FMCG, agriculture, commodity or ingredients value chains.
Unilever Sydney, New South Wales, AUS Office
2 Park St, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 2000
