FINANCE DIRECTOR

Lesaffre, which is a global reference in the yeast industry with its more than 170 years of accumulated knowledge, has been transmitting its international experience to Turkish bakery industry since 1992.



We unite the Lesaffre experience with our wide-spectrum user population by means of our over 600 employees and our production facilities, including our production facility in Lüleburgaz, which we have incorporated into our structure in 2015, in addition to our production facilities in Ceyhan and in Amasya, which have been in use since 1992, the year we started operating in Turkey.



We work to become the closest business partner of our users with the help of our brands which specifically address diverse needs. For bakers and home users, we produce yeast in different forms. In addition to yeast, we also provide baking solutions like bread improvers, bread mixes, and blends to bakery sector. The products that we produce are used with confidence in more than 80 countries, including Turkey.



In order to be able to fulfill our social responsibilities regarding the environment and our society by means of our R&D activities, we annually allocate approximately 30% of our industrial investments to policies on the protection of the environment.



As the key player of the global bread industry, our vision is ‘to delight people with innovative bread making and nutrition solutions for a better planet’. And our mission of ‘ working together to better nourish and protect the planet’ carries Lesaffre to the future.

About the Role:

Lesaffre Türkiye is seeking an experienced and strategic Finance Director to lead the Finance and IT functions, ensuring sustainable growth, financial health, and operational excellence across all Turkish operations. Functionally, the Finance Director will collaborate closely with Lesaffre regional and group finance teams, while operationally acting as a member of the Lesaffre Türkiye Leadership Team and reporting directly to the General Manager.

Treasury & Financial Management

• Proactively manage cash flow through 24-month and weekly forecasts, optimizing surplus funds and minimizing costs.
• Maintain strong relationships with banks and manage the company’s banking portfolio efficiently.
• Manage foreign currency positions, mitigate risks, and provide actionable financial advice to support decision-making.
• Collaborate with procurement and operational teams to analyze critical cost factors and their impact on cash flow.
• Support and advise the General Manager & the region in decision-making.
• Monitor customer credit risks and implement measures to safeguard company assets.
• Organize and manage annual profit distribution with compliance and treasury planning in mind.

Accounting & Reporting

• Ensure compliance with Turkish GAAP and IFRS, managing differences and coordinating internal and external audits.
• Liaise with tax authorities and consultants to optimize corporate tax, VAT, and incentives.
• Lead annual budgeting, business planning, and KPI forecasting, delivering insights to management.
• Coordinate and interact with internal and external audits; review and analyze audit outcomes.
• Analyze and present monthly and periodic financial performance, providing actionable recommendations.
• Drive cost structure analysis for manufacturing operations, ensuring accurate and insightful reporting.

System & IT Function Management

• Oversee IT infrastructure, network security, and data backup across 5 operational locations.
• Manage IT CAPEX/OPEX budgets and lead ERP implementations, digitalization, and reporting standardization.
• Utilize ERP systems (e.g., SAP) and consolidation tools (e.g., HFM) to improve operational efficiency.
  
  

Technical Skills:

• Strong proficiency in financial systems such as SAP, ERP platforms, and consolidation tools (e.g., HFM).
• Advanced knowledge of Turkish GAAP and IFRS standards.
• Expertise in managing cash flow, working capital, and foreign currency risks.
• Ability to monitor macroeconomic indicators, with robust skills in evaluating their potential impact on business operations.
• Familiarity with the financial and operational systems of the manufacturing sector and export compliance.
• Familiarity with export-related financial processes.

Leadership & Interpersonal & Personal Skills:

• Solid communication skills capable of building trust and influencing decision-making across departments.
• A strategic business partner mindset, collaborating effectively with purchasing, production, and commercial teams.
• Proven ability to earn and maintain the confidence of the General Manager and regional leadership.
• High level of reliability, agility, and adaptability in dynamic business environments.
• Strong analytical thinking and advanced presentation skills.
• Ability to summarize complex data and maintain a big-picture view while ensuring attention to detail.
• Technological adaptability to drive innovation and operational efficiency.
• Strong team leader with the ability to foster collaboration and innovation within the finance and IT teams.
• Fluent in Turkish and English.
  
  

Contact: b.yildirim@lesaffre.com

Please note that this role requires Turkish language.