Governance of Cost of Acquisition
- Develop and implement financial governance frameworks for accurate and consistent CoA tracking and reporting across the organization.
- Monitor, review, and challenge key CoA drivers and processes, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and compliance with established policies.
- Conduct variance analysis on CoA components (e.g., customer acquisition costs, marketing efficiency, and trade promotions) to identify cost-saving opportunities.
- Provide actionable recommendations for CoA optimization, ensuring sustainable and efficient use of resources.
- Collaborate cross-functionally and globally with Sales, Marketing, and Commercial teams to ensure governance processes are adhered to and integrated seamlessly with business priorities.
Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) Implementation
- Lead the application and management of Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) principles across departments, with a focus on CoA and BBI-related activities.
- Work closely with budget owners to ensure all expenses are justified and align with organizational priorities.
- Facilitate ZBB training and engagement across business units to drive accountability and adherence to budgeting frameworks.
- Partner with regional finance leads to monitor and enforce ZBB compliance while identifying system and process improvement opportunities.
- Improve the efficiency of budget management by introducing enhanced tools and templates, fostering a culture of ownership.
Stakeholder Collaboration and Governance Oversight
- Act as a trusted finance advisor for business stakeholders on critical projects, including BBI and promotional spend governance, leveraging insights to support strategic decisions.
- Drive alignment across departments (Demand Planning, Sales, and Marketing) to facilitate integration of budgeting and financial reporting processes
Process Optimization and Continuous Improvement
- Continuously evaluate and refine CoA and ZBB processes to maximize efficiency, accuracy, and governance.
- Explore and introduce automation and technology opportunities (e.g., Vistex, SAP modules) to support financial governance efforts.
- Act as a driver of organizational change, ensuring adoption of best practices for financial discipline and operational excellence
Knowledge & Experience
- Experience in Financial Analysis and Reporting, ideally in Sales or Brand Finance co-piloting roles.
- Experience in Financial Forecasting and deviation analyses including business interpretation.
- Very good understanding of P&L and Balance Sheet under local GAAP and IFRS.
- Solid understanding of the month-close process and how it impacts the P&L and B/S.
- Experienced in working in a multi-functional environment.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in finance & accounting.
- Strong Excel skills, experience with SAP, Hyperion, or OneStream system (or any other reporting/forecasting platform).
Critical Skills
- Excellent financial leadership skills.
- Strong commercial acumen.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of hierarchy with multifunctional partners and external stakeholders (English skills mandatory).
- P&L and CoA Understanding : Solid knowledge of P&L drivers, Cost of Acquisition structures, and related financial frameworks.
- Tool and System Proficiency : Advanced Excel skills and experience with financial tools such as SAP , Hyperion , Vistex , or similar platforms.
- Strong understanding of local GAAP and IFRS, as well as monthly financial close processes.
- Previous exposure to FMCG or multinational organizations preferred.
Professional Experience
- Strategic Financial Acumen : Ability to analyze complex financial and operational data, connect the dots, and translate it into actionable strategies and plans.
- Governance Leadership : Strong track record of designing, implementing, and managing financial governance frameworks.
- Business Partnering : Proven experience collaborating with cross-functional teams and influencing at all levels of the organization.
- Commercial Acumen : Practical understanding of pricing, promotional strategies, and return-on-investment (ROI) goals.
- Strong Communication : Ability to communicate complex financial topics effectively at all levels, including senior leadership, both verbally and in written form.
- Adaptability and Problem Solving : High mental agility to adapt to evolving challenges and design effective solutions in a fast-paced environment.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field (Master's degree is a plus).
- Professional Certifications (e.g., CPA, CMA, ACCA, or CIMA) are an advantage but not mandatory.
- Minimum 710 years of experience in Financial Analysis, Budgeting, or related governance roles, with a focus on cost control and ROI analysis.
- Experience in FMCG industries, or working knowledge of retail trade terms and promotional spend, is strongly preferred.
