Senior Financial Planning

JOB PURPOSE:

The
Senior Financial Planning & Analysis Associate
has a critical role responsible for overseeing the budgeting and forecasting processes, managing cash flow, conducting in-depth financial analysis, and providing strategic financial support to various business units. This position acts as a key financial advisor, translating complex financial data into actionable insights to drive informed decision-making and ensure financial health and growth.

Key Responsibilities

Budgeting and Forecasting

• Lead and coordinate the annual budgeting process, including the preparation of templates, consolidation of departmental budgets, and alignment with overarching business objectives.
• Prepare rolling forecasts and conduct scenario planning as required, adapting to changing market conditions and business needs.
• Monitor budget versus actual performance closely and provide timely, comprehensive variance analyses, highlighting key drivers and recommending corrective actions.

Cash Flow Management

• Prepare and rigorously review monthly cash flow reports, ensuring accuracy and alignment with business operations and funding requirements.
• Maintain and submit HQ-specific financial reports on a monthly basis, adhering to deadlines and reporting standards.
• Proactively identify and highlight risks and opportunities related to working capital and liquidity, proposing strategies for optimization.

Financial Analysis and Reporting

• Conduct thorough monthly financial analysis and present findings with clear, actionable insights to management.
• Prepare and support the development of periodic in-house financial statements, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Perform ad hoc financial analysis for management requests and new business cases, providing robust financial models and recommendations.

Cost Control and Inventory Management

• Monitor key cost drivers across all departments and actively implement initiatives to optimize spending and enhance cost efficiency.
• Monitor the landed cost components by product, to retain costs at or below budgeted costs, ensuring competitive pricing and healthy margins.
• Perform detailed inventory ageing analysis and proactively flag slow-moving or obsolete inventory items, recommending strategies for reduction and write-offs.

Commercial and Operational Support

• Conduct comprehensive pricing and value chain assessments to support margin improvement initiatives and strategic pricing decisions.
• Review and validate sales incentive schemes to ensure they are accurately calculated and effectively aligned with business targets and profitability goals.
• Calculate and validate supplier and customer rebates, ensuring timely accruals, accurate financial treatment, and compliance with agreements.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a trusted financial advisor to commercial, operations, and supply chain teams, providing expert financial guidance and support.
• Translate complex financial data and concepts into clear, understandable business language for non-financial stakeholders, facilitating informed discussions.
• Support cross-functional initiatives by providing robust financial analysis, sound recommendations, and financial modeling expertise.

Team Leadership and Development

• Manage, mentor, and develop a team of finance and accounting professionals, fostering a high-performance culture focused on accuracy, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and identify professional development opportunities for team members to enhance their skills and career growth.
• Allocate resources effectively, oversee daily activities, and ensure the timely and accurate completion of all team deliverables and financial processes.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in finance and accounting.
• Experience in financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, modeling, power Bi in the Food Distribution sector is highly preferable.