Senior Manager, Sustainability Finance & Capital Mobilisation

Location: Sunlight House, United Kingdom

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.