Description:
Strategic Business Partnering & Performance Steering
- Act as a trusted finance business partner to the Middle East Zone Director, commercial and marketing teams, providing financial insights and constructive challenge to support strategic decision-making.
- Drive profitable growth by influencing key business levers including pricing, promotion efficiency, portfolio optimization, new product launches, trade terms, and route-to-market strategies.
- Identify risks and opportunities, challenge assumptions, and recommend actions to deliver the region's financial and strategic objectives.
Financial Planning, Forecasting & Business Analysis
- Lead the annual budgeting process, periodic forecasts, and monthly rolling forecasts for the region (Rolling Forecast, Monthly Cycle and IBP)
- Monitor business performance and deliver meaningful analyses of topline growth, profitability, margins, and key performance indicators.
- Prepare and present financial insights and recommendations to regional leadership teams, enabling informed and timely decisions.
Financial Governance & Control
- Lead the monthly, semi-annual, and annual closing processes, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely booking of accruals.
- Ensure adherence to internal controls, financial policies, and reporting standards across the region.
- Maintain high-quality financial reporting and provide transparency on business performance.
Investment & Profitability Management
- Oversee and optimize Advertising & Promotion (A&P) investments to ensure alignment with strategic priorities and maximize return on investment.
- Drive profitability improvement initiatives through revenue growth management, cost optimization, mix enhancement, and resource allocation decisions.
- Support countries in building sustainable and profitable growth plans.
Team Leadership & Continuous Improvement
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of Business Controllers (one in Dubai, one in Paris), fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous development.
- Champion finance transformation initiatives, including process simplification, automation, data visualization, and implementation of new tools and ways of working.
- Promote best practices and strengthen finance capabilities across the region.
About You
Would typically have 5 to 8 years experience in business controlling, topline controlling would be a must
Ideally within a strong multinational FMCG company (F&B, high-end/premium as a plus).
Abilities
- Result oriented pragmatic, fast learner and entrepreneurial mindset
- Strong Organization skills be able to prepare, present and follow-up business plan, plan ahead
- Open-minded attitude, good listener,
- Drive, passion, excellent communication & influencing skills
- Ability to easy adapt and leverage a truly international and multi-cultural environment to effectively engage people
Competencies
- English fluent ; Other languages are welcome
- Extensive Finance principles (understanding of a P&L, Gross to Net Sales, accounting basics..)
- Strong analytical skills
- Business acumen
- Budget planning and monitoring, capability of strategic commercial planning (Sales & Marketing)
- Extensive knowledge of Excel & Essbase, Power Point and Power BI.