Senior Financial Controller | Al Futtaim Automotive | Sri Lanka

Al-Futtaim; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Financial Controller to lead financial operations in Sri Lanka's automotive sector. This pivotal role involves partnering with leadership to optimize profitability and cash flow while ensuring compliance and effective financial reporting. With a focus on strategic planning and performance management, the position offers significant autonomy and the opportunity to drive transformation initiatives. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in finance, particularly within the automotive industry, and possess strong analytical and leadership skills. Join a forward-thinking organization that values integrity and excellence in all its endeavors.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12-15 years of relevant experience in finance.
• 5+ years as a Senior Financial Controller in the automotive sector.

Responsibilities

• Drive financial reporting and performance management for Sri Lanka operations.
• Manage cash flow, audits, and financial closing processes.
• Collaborate with leadership on P&L performance and KPIs.

Skills

Automotive industry experience

Financial analysis

Team leadership

Communication skills

Education

Certified accountant (CPA, CMA, ACCA)

Tools

Business intelligence tools

Job description

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions: automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enable the organization to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate.

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration, and integrity, Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day.

Overview of the role :

Sri Lanka operations encompass diverse new cars, used cars, agricultural tractors, aftersales, lubricants, and manufacturing operations of six legal entities in Sri Lanka with a multi-dimensional dealer network of more than 300 outlets across the country.

The Senior Financial Controller will participate in the planning, performance management, and controlling cycle of the Sri Lanka Automotive operations. He/she will be a trusted business partner to the Managing Director Sri Lanka and his/her operations team. Responsibilities include developing the financial reporting process with advanced tools to provide internal and external stakeholders with insightful, accurate, and timely financial information. The role offers significant autonomy and responsibility, working closely with the Business Control and support-oriented finance team within the Automotive finance department, reporting to the General Manager of Finance.

What you will do :

• Partner with country leadership, MD, and COE teams to establish global used cars P&L performance review and develop reporting KPIs for review with key stakeholders, focusing on profitability, working capital optimizations, and cash flow improvements.
• Drive the value chain and support multi-dimensional transformation programs, including timely risk and opportunity identification and escalation.
• Support operational teams in executing turnaround initiatives related to operations.
• Take financial ownership of all Sri Lanka operations, including financial closing, audits, balance sheet substantiation, and internal audit observations resolution.
• Understand market dynamics and translate them into financial implications to drive P&L and cash flow optimization.
• Manage financial reporting for the organization, including monthly reporting, budgeting, forecasting, 5-year financial plans, and statutory reporting.
• Oversee taxation affairs and liaise with external tax advisors.
• Manage cash flow and ensure treasury controls are in place.
• Handle hedging and foreign currency management.
• Maintain relationships with external auditors, ensure compliance with accounting standards.
• Oversee banking and borrowing arrangements, investor and creditor relationships.
• Supervise accounts payable, receivable, tax, treasury, payroll, and accounting functions.
• Review and analyze monthly financial statements and manage dispersion across operations.
• Promote governance and process-driven controls, reviewing, documenting, and implementing key business processes.
• Develop and analyze divisional reports and dashboards.
• Optimize financial processes through data analysis and business intelligence tools.
• Analyze product/margin spends and margins at tactical levels.
• Support KPI development and delivery.
• Lead initiatives to improve financial decision-making regarding inventory, demand, and supply.
• Represent finance in business and operations reviews, challenging profitability and cash flow assumptions.
• Gather cost data, project income and expenses, and perform variance analysis.
• Provide ad-hoc data and analysis support for MDs and GMs.
• Collaborate with brand teams on forecasts, budgets, and strategic planning.

Required Skills to be successful :

• Automotive industry experience.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience as a Senior Financial Controller.
• Certified accountant (CPA, CMA, ACCA).

About the Team :

You will report to the GM - Finance.

What equips you for the role :

• Minimum 12-15 years of relevant experience.
• Excellent numeracy and analytical skills, positive leadership, team-building, and commercial awareness.
• Strong communication skills, self-directed, with interpersonal and team-building capabilities.
• Experience in a similar position within a world-class organization is advantageous.