Commercial Finance Manager

Systems Limited is looking for Commercial Finance Manager. This role will be an active member of the regional commercial finance team and will partner with other cross functional team members & DRBU teams to provide strategic financial guidance on key financial performance in APMEA, with an initial focus on combustible. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, overseeing financial forecast & reporting cycles, competition analysis and financials, combustible pricing and excise analysis, marketing investment and resource allocation & non-criminal loss/write-offs. The ideal candidate will proactively and collaboratively work with the DRBU teams to understand the market dynamics and provide insights on revenue generation and resource allocation and drive recommendations on potential course of action. Provide timely proactive financial evaluation, information and advice that enable Trade teams and management to develop and execute effective plans and take informed decisions. Help build strong financial and commercial awareness within the whole Trade function including an effective internal control environment

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Lead the monthly SOP process, ensuring accountability and alignment of financial metrics.
• Coordinate the preparation of budgets, plans, and forecasts with team support, providing accurate and timely information for ongoing performance monitoring by the Trade Team.
• Take ownership of month-end closing, including sales rebate reconciliation, and lead the monthly planning cycle. Analyze general ledgers to provide comprehensive insights for management review.
• Lead the preparation of budgets, plans, and forecasts, providing accurate and timely information for ongoing performance monitoring.
• Lead the financial analysis to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of Marketing programs and touchpoints, enabling better decision-making and resource allocation.
• Collaborate with the Marketing Leadership Team on financial controls, profit delivery, budgeting, marketing plans, operating expenses, and capex.
• Contribute to the pricing strategy for the market through running simulations and elasticity analysis.
• Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of Marketing programs and touchpoints through thorough financial analysis, enabling improved decision-making and resource allocation.
• Analyze and offer recommendations on product and brand profitability.
• Provide input to the strategic decision-making process and actively contribute to strategic initiatives, such as investment models for customers.
• Participate in negotiating Trade contracts and performance payments, utilizing pricing scenarios and customer margin analysis. • Perform robust financial evaluations and business cases, including scenario analysis and postimplementation reviews. • Lead the review and assessment of competitors' marketing activities, financials, and market share to inform strategic decisions.
• Elevate the level of financial and commercial awareness within the Marketing teams, promoting objective decision-making.
• Assist management in developing and implementing practical procedures to ensure a high level of internal control is maintained within the department and with external parties.
• Increase financial and commercial awareness within the Marketing area, educating the organization on commercial and financial skills.
• Ensure the accuracy and robustness of relevant financial accounts, in line with International Accounting Standards, and with the appropriate levels of authority.
• Drive ad hoc projects as needed.

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE

• Degree educated ideally in commerce / accounting / finance, with professional qualification (CA/ACCA/CIMA/CPA/MBA)
• 5+ years of experience in a similar dynamic operating environment – matrix organization with multiple stakeholders to manage.
• Broad experience in large global organization/ FMCG
• Experience of leading and developing small teams
• Good stakeholder engagement and management skills
• Influencing and good interpersonal skills
• Experience in strategic analysis, data analytics and business modelling, project planning and execution, commercial foresight
• Ability to simplify complex situations and synthesize, communicate and present complex information.
• Insightful, comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty, proactive, collaborative and consultative • Familiar with SAP
• Attention to detail, diligent and resilient.
• Proactive and adaptable to change
• Continuous drive for improvement in execution
• Excellent excel skills with hands on experience on MS power point.

BENEFICIAL

• Effective working relations with all stakeholders mentioned below
• Establish finance as a business partner for the team
• Consistent and accurate Finance support to all departments.
• Monthly production of reliable reporting and budget tracking analyses for internal and external purposes.
• Implementation of key financial controls.
• Project planning and management.
• Demonstrates the value-adding of Marketing Finance throughout the SOP process as well as the involvement in strategic projects
• Flexibility to deal with ad hoc requirements.