Senior Business Analyst – Central Planning / Retail

Lotus's Malaysia; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Lotus's Malaysia is seeking a Finance Business Partner to guide financial decisions for the Business Unit, covering Head Office Operations and Store teams. You will provide data-driven insights, monitor profitability across stores and online channels, and collaborate on forecasts and budgets.

You will lead month-end closing, risk assessment, and investment appraisal with cross-functional teams, while mentoring junior analysts and delivering high-quality financial analyses.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of experience in financial analysis and business partnering.
• Degree or professional qualification in Business Analytics, Finance, Accounting, CIMA/ACCA/CPA or equivalent.
• Retail industry exposure and proficiency with Excel/PowerBI and AI tools is a plus.
• Strong planning, organizing, communication and influencing skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and mentoring abilities.

Responsibilities

• Act as Finance Business Partner to BU Head Office Operation and Store Teams.
• Monitor, analyze, and report P&L performance across stores and online channels.
• Lead forecasting and budgeting discussions with Business Units.
• Manage cost drivers and preparing financial papers for governance and board meetings.

Skills

Financial analysis

Business partnering

Stakeholder management

Forecasting

Education

Bachelor's in Business Analytics/Finance/Accounting

CIMA

ACCA

CPA

Tools

Excel

PowerBI

AI tools

Job description

Acting as a Finance Business Partner (go-to-person) to Business Unit (Head Office Operation Team & Store Team) by providing financial guidance, monitoring and analyzing financial performance, providing actionable and data-driven insights, collaborating in forecast planning, sharing of risk and recommendation.

• [P&L Performance Review] Monitoring financial performance and store / channel (different Online platforms) profitability, identifying trends, outlining risks and opportunities, and recommending actions to improve business results.
• [Forecast] Developing forecast by actualizing weekly financials and updating upcoming plans/impact.
• [Budget] Conducting strategic discussion with Business Unit to develop annual budget and long term plans.
• [Cost Management] Manage operating expenses by tracking spend status, analyzing trends and identifying drivers of cost movement; highlighting red flag area and potential opportunities to Operation stakeholders.
• [Closing] Leading month end closing activities, P&L reporting, and communication to Business/Operation Unit.

Financial Modelling and Investment Appraisal

• Collaborating with cross functional business unit to understand their needs and proposal.
• Review investment feasibility by preparing Financial Modelling by analyzing financial information, performing sensitivity analysis and evaluating key indicators (e.g. IRR, payback period etc) on capex investment / business proposals.
• Prepare financial papers and presentations on analysis and modelling performed for governance and board meeting.
• Perform post investment review to provide insights on key learnings and opportunities

Others

• Manage junior business analyst by providing coaching and development, delegation and task management, performance monitoring and feedback; to ensure analytical review and timely support to Business Unit are in place.
• Responding to ad-hoc requests from the Group, Local Business, and auditors in a timely manner.

Requirements

• At least 3 years experiences in financial analysis and business partnering.
• Business Analytic / Finance / Accounting degree / CIMA / ACCA /CPA or equivalent.
• Retail Industry, Excel, PowerBI, AI tool/software experience would be an added advantage.
• Possess strong planning, organizing, communication and influencing skills.
• Good communication, report writing, mentoring skills and strong analytical skills.