Finance Director / Country Finance Head (position is based within Asia) recruitment
THE COMPANY
The organization is a European based multinational, with operations across Asia. It is the No. 1 Provider of Market Expansion Services in Asia, focusing on sourcing, marketing, logistics and distribution.
Anchored mainly in the Asian area, the company operates in 35 countries with over 23,500 specialised staff (incorporating 50 nationalities), realized net sales of over Euro 7 billion in 2010.
The Group’s organizational structure reflects and addresses the complexity of the business it manages. It is divided – in the form of a matrix organisation – into five highly specialised Business Units (Fast Moving Consumer Goods, Healthcare, Performance Material, and Technology) on the one hand and, on the other hand, into 35 countries/regions. The Business Unit strategy is supported by a lean head office which provides shared, state-of-the-art infrastructure and services (such as HR, Finance, and IT) to all the company’s operations in a cost-effective manner and which are based on Group-wide standards.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Role : Country Finance Head / Finance Director
Location : Based in Vietnam
Size of the business in Vietnam : The four Business Units – Technology, Healthcare, Consumer Goods, Performance Materials in this country of operations, employs more than 3000 employees and has combined sales of Euro 166 + million.
The Position
- Seeking an experienced finance professional to join the Group in the role of Country Finance Head to be based in one of their key operations/countries in Asia.
- The role leads the local Finance function and supports the future growth of all the Business Units. The Finance Head will also play a key role in assessing acquisition targets and ensuring their smooth integration from a financial perspective.
- Part of the approval processes for all significant activities and commitments in the country.
- The Finance function in this country of operations is centralised and covers the typical areas of accounting reporting, taxation and treasury as well as accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory and fixed asset management. The Finance IT team comprises 40 people with 6 direct reports.
The Person
Due to the fast growing nature of the group’s business, the Head of Finance role based in Asia is challenging position which will suit a high calibre individual.
Ideal Background and Experience
- Broad-based financial experience gained in an operational environment within a multinational company.
- Work exposure to date should be varied and diversified with knowledge of a distribution business is favourably viewed. This might include strategic sourcing, supply chain, warehousing and distribution.
- Chartered accountant (or CPA) with a high degree of competence with IFRS and current reporting and disclosure standards. Work experience with an audit firm a strong plus.
- Strong compliance focus in matters relating to IFRS and local tax authorities.
- Good working knowledge of local regulations affecting the operations in the area of currencies, tax and treasury.
- Knowledge and experience of working through acquisition processes and subsequently managing the integration of acquired companies.
- Good experience of managing and reorganizing corporate structures from a financial perspective.
- Proven leadership experience and the ability to guide and support a strong management team.
- Evidence of developing and maintaining high-value relationships with external parties such as auditors and legal counsel.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work with all levels of staff and to get into the detail of the various businesses.
- Exposure at a senior level to current best practice in corporate governance methods and in review and documentation of control systems.
- Experience with SAP as a user and with managing reporting improvements and enhancements preferred.
- Experience with reviews and negotiations of documentation covering commercial transactions.
- Experience in all financial management functions including: Financial control, Statutory reporting, Financial planning and analysis.
- Exposure to importing documentation and trade finance.
- Ability to model business outcomes and understand financial implications.
- Understanding of corporate governance and company secretarial responsibilities.
- Demonstrated strong ability to contribute to strategic planning and commercial objectives, add value on transactions and assist with business development.
- Prefer senior level finance professionals with experience in the FMCG, Logistics or Healthcare industry, where there is a high volume of products and goods turnover.
Personal Attributes
- Highly-developed strategic, analytical and financial skills to help sustain and grow the business.
- A dynamic and proactive self-starter who is able to demonstrate significant career progression in a complex, multinational environment and an ability to adapt to think out of the box about issues.
- Proven ability to set and communicate financial, risk and compliance objectives effectively, develop and maintain a strong and focused finance team and establish performance metrics aligned with the company’s priorities and goals.
- Strong ‘culture and values’ orientation.
- Personal style characterised by collaboration, confidence, self-motivation and high energy levels.
- Highly evolved people skills with the ability to use a “soft-sell” approach to motivate others.
- Results and achievement-orientation.
- Ability to demonstrate tenacity and resourcefulness.
- A strong sense of urgency in identifying, analysing and acting on situations and opportunities.
- A reputation as an ethical manager of high integrity, and as a focused and decisive leader.
- Able to demonstrate a strong personal presence with customers, employees, suppliers, competitors and naturally command respect.
- Powerful influencing and presentation skills to communicate effectively with licensees, business partners, stakeholders and the financial community at large.
Compensation
Salary package will be commensurate with an executive of this calibre and seniority.