Category Finance Manager

Purpose of Role
The purpose of the role is split into two key areas:
Strategy: Plan, Drive and Execute identified cross functional strategic analysis/decision support projects and value creation initiatives:
Decision Analysis and Recommendations in support of business / functional strategies
Value Creation initiatives incl. business development and breakthrough initiatives
Provide capabilities and rigor to our strategic decision making processes
Innovation: Support and manage the Brandhouse product innovation agenda, agreeing priorities, resources and key interdependencies:
Decision Analysis and Recommendations in support of category/brand strategies
Prioritization of projects to ensure best ROI, strategic fit and alignment to commercial capabilities
Support the category Decision Support Analysts to ensure that they have the context to think, decide and act.
Top Accountabilities
Strategic Decision Analysis & Support
Drive the development and execution of strategic decision analytics and support
Drive the development and deployment of decision support processes and methodologies for brandhouse
Support Shareholders, Exec as well as functions in value improvement initiatives: Drive insights from deep dive analysis, provide strategic support & facilitation as and when required
Drive, prioritise and execute strategic initiative analysis derived from strategic planning process, global strategic initiatives and key cross functional / regional programmes (incl. new business development, acquisition reviews, etc.)
…all of the above with the objective to identify quantify and unlock value-creation opportunities for the business.
Understand sponsor’s issue to identify scope of work and plan the activities and resources required for the project.
Deliver great project outcomes for sponsors – robust, pragmatic strategies that create new possibilities for the business. Most projects require analytical models built from a wide range of internal and external data – all need clear, concise presentation and communication of conclusions to stakeholders.
Handover project to business, transferring learnings as required
Act as mentor and coach to junior decision support analysts
Qualifications, experience & Skills Required Qualifications
Essential: Post-graduate degree level with very strong academic record, cognitive and analytical ability
Additional: MBA qualification preferred
Exposure to multinationals’ ways-of-working
Experience
Minimum 5 years management consulting experience, with emphasis on strategy and analysis and design work OR
Minimum 8+ years cross-functional experience in an FMCG environment
A strong track record in strategy decision analysis & support is important. Previous experience of change management, complex stakeholder management is key
Significant analytical methodology design and execution experience
Previous experience in communicating effectively with senior managers and stakeholders across the business

Key Skills
Analytical & predictive modelling skills (financial, forecasting, trend analysis etc.)
Management Consulting, preferably in fields of strategy & decision analysis
Business performance management
Ability to provide clarity to stakeholders
Strategic Business Analysis, Problem Solving and Solution Design
High cognitive ability
Project Management
Presentation development and delivery
Influencing/Communication skills
Ability to move effortlessly between operational detail and high level strategy
Self-motivated
Category Finance Manager