Job Description:
Purpose of Role
The MEA Category Finance Manager is a strategic finance partner responsible for shaping the financial performance and long-term growth of the Gum, Ice Cream, Fruity Confectionery and Pet Care categories across MEA. The role partners closely with Category, Marketing and Market Finance teams to translate category strategy into clear financial choices and outcomes. It owns the financial agenda across category performance. The role also leads the MAB management, ensuring resources are deployed behind the strongest growth opportunities while protecting profitability. The role provides an integrated view of category performance across MEA brings clear financial insights to support senior management decision making.
Principal Accountabilities
Planning, Forecasting & Performance Management Lead the category financial agenda across AEP, forecasting, IBP and performance reviews. Understand and communicate key performance drivers including volume, price, mix, margin and investment effectiveness.
Identify performance gaps early and partner with the business to build and track clear mitigation plans. Drive scenario planning and trade-off discussions to support agile decision making.
MAB Management Lead the financial management and governance of MAB across the categories. Partner with GLT to ensure investment is aligned with strategic priorities and delivers against agreed business objectives. Drive transparency on investment levels, phasing, risks and opportunities across MEA. Challenge investment choices and facilitate trade-offs across categories and markets to maximize returns. Ensure strong governance and financial discipline around commitments, actuals and forecasts.
Business Partnering & Decision Support Provide senior stakeholders with clear, forward-looking financial insights, moving beyond reporting to recommendations and actions.
Lead financial evaluation of key category initiatives, innovation, portfolio choices and investment decisions. Bring an independent Finance perspective, constructively challenging the business and highlighting financial implications and trade-offs.
Simplify complex financial information into clear messages that enable faster and stronger decision making. Drive continuous improvement, simplification and digitization of category finance processes and reporting.
Key Supporting Competencies
Key Functional Skills/Knowledge
· Strong analytical skills and ability to apply problem solving techniques.
· Knowledge of financial accounting, GAAP, and internal controls.
· Experience in accounting period close and financial analysis, financial statements.
· High level of digital savvy – leveraging digital tools to get data and insights.
· Ability to work in various financial system and processes, SAP preferred.
Minimum Qualifications
· CPA or MBA preferred
· Demonstrated experience partnering with senior commercial and/or marketing stakeholders.
· Experience managing financial planning, category performance and investment decisions across multiple markets is preferred.
· FMCG experience strongly preferred.
· MBA, CPA, CMA or equivalent professional qualification is an advantage.
