Senior Finance Manager COA

The Senior Finance Manager will serve as a strategic partner to the Manager and cross-functional stakeholders, with a primary focus on ensuring robust governance of Cost of Acquisition (CoA) and driving efficient budgeting through the Zero-Based Budgeting (ZBB) methodology. This role will leverage data-driven insights and financial acumen to optimize cost allocation, improve governance frameworks, and ensure consistency in reporting and compliance. The individual will contribute significantly to the financial discipline and overall profitability of the organization.

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.
• 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 7–10 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.