GM - Finance Business Partner - CA (FMCG)

About Company

The company operates in the food and beverage industry, specializing in the production and distribution of a diverse range of authentic packaged foods

Job Description

Position Overview We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Finance Business Partner to join our dynamic Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) organization. This role is pivotal in driving financial strategy, operational efficiency, and business growth by partnering closely with cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate will have 8-10 years of progressive experience in finance, with a strong background in FMCG or similar high-volume industries. You will act as a strategic advisor, providing actionable insights to senior leadership while ensuring robust financial controls and process improvements.

Key Responsibilities

- Product Costing and Pricing Oversight: Lead the end-to-end process of product costing, including raw material analysis, production overheads, and pricing strategies to optimize profitability and market competitiveness. - New Business Plan Evaluation: Assess new business initiatives by calculating key financial metrics such as Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and payback periods; track actual performance against projections and recommend adjustments to ensure alignment with organizational goals. - Forecasting and Budgeting: Develop accurate financial forecasts and annual budgets, incorporating market trends, sales projections, and cost drivers to support informed decision-making. - Monthly P&L Evaluation and Insights: Conduct thorough monthly reviews of Profit & Loss (P&L) statements; prepare and present insights during Management Committee (Mancom) meetings on sales growth, category performance, volume challenges, and other key drivers impacting business results. - Scheme Evaluation and Contribution Margin Impact: Analyse monthly promotional schemes, trade discounts, and incentives; evaluate their impact on Contribution Margin (CM) and provide recommendations to enhance effectiveness and profitability. - Automation Initiatives: Drive the automation of key business processes, including claims processing and budgeting systems, to improve efficiency, reduce manual errors, and streamline operations. - Tracking and Monitoring: Oversee Fixed Price Purchase (FPP) agreements and the Annual Operating Plan (AOP); regularly highlight opportunities for improvement to the CEO and senior executives through data-driven reports. - Overhead Expense Management: Monitor overhead expenses rigorously, implement strong controls on variances, and identify cost-saving opportunities to maintain financial discipline. - Accounts Receivable and Collections: Manage customer outstanding balances, ensure timely collections, and collaborate with sales teams to minimize bad debts and improve cash flow. - Team Development: Train and mentor team members on financial best practices, tools, and processes; provide ongoing guidance to foster continuous improvement and professional growth.

Qualifications and Skills

- CA with 8-10 years of relevant finance experience, ideally in the FMCG sector, with proven expertise in costing, pricing, financial modelling, and business partnering. - Strong analytical skills with proficiency in financial tools (e.g., Excel, ERP systems like SAP or Oracle, and BI tools such as Power BI or Tableau). - Excellent communication and presentation abilities, with experience influencing senior stakeholders in meetings. - Demonstrated ability to drive process automation and improvements in a fast-paced environment. - High attention to detail, problem-solving mindset, and commitment to ethical financial practices.