Overview of the role

The Finance Manager will provide analysis and insight into the company’s past and future financial performance. This position will also be responsible for the analysis and interpretation of financial trends requiring management’s attention and will independently generate models and analyses to support theories and ideas. The job holder needs to assist in the analysis, formulation & data recommendation to management for decision-making and presentation to the Leadership Team. There will be a specific focus on highlighting areas of opportunity and risk with specific reference to the various expanding and complex geographies in which the business operates. The job holder may be required to undertake projects to improve the efficiency and productivity of the finance department.

What you will do

Business Analytics & Commercial Reviews

• Originate and develop analyses to help executives better understand financial trends and financial opportunities (e.g., cost savings, business development, etc.). 
• Leverage analyses to ensure that the company meets its financial expectations and make certain the Leadership Team is fully aware of financial results.
• Manage meetings and relationships with the brands to ensure appropriate cost control, accurate forecasting, monitoring and controlling inventory levels V/s Plan and sales performance, and insightful business understanding.
• Analyze industry trends and competitor strategies to identify and make recommendations on opportunities.
• Identify opportunities to automate reporting and analysis, where possible. Drive the development and implementation of tools that allow for increased, efficient analytical capabilities and that allow executives to understand key financial issues in a timely and effective manner.

Strategic Planning

• Work closely with the Leadership Team in formulating overall business strategies for the Watsons Division.
• Assist in the development of the key assumptions and drivers for the 3 and 5 years plan, including developing the appropriate models and working with executives to reflect business trends in the financial plans.
• Participate in business review meetings of the Watsons business
• Active involvement in the management of key aspects of commercial arrangements with franchisors and vendors.

Commercial Finance

• Engage with Business Management teams to monitor & achieve budget targets and working Capital KPIs. Job includes but is not limited to Inventory Management, Receivable Management, and Managing Capital employed.
• Assist with planning, forecasting, and ad hoc analyses as required for various internal and external customers.
• Evaluate the performance of new stores at periodical intervals against targets.

Loss-making Store Analysis

• Drive in-depth business analytics - Develop flexible reports and dashboards to perform financial analysis at individual store level to understand and highlight the issues a store might be facing.
• Focus on the financials of cash-loss-making stores to identify and highlight the root causes of the problems using tools and approaches like CTS Ratios, Trend Analysis, Productivity metrics, Sensitivity Analysis, Markdown analysis, Returns on Investment, and Market analysis.
• These analyses would support the Sr. Management in taking corrective actions and decisions for mitigating losses being incurred by the stores.

New Investments

• Prepare financial feasibility studies including 10 years of Business Plans and Returns Analysis for new stores, new brands being acquired, and closure of stores/brands. This involves preparing projected financials driven by realistic key assumptions like PSF sales, growth rates, PSF Rentals, and escalations among others.
• The activity involves cross-functional conversations and meetings at several levels including Retail HO Finance/Leasing/Store Dev., Group Finance, and Investment Committee depending on the amount and nature of investment.
• The objective of the activity is to present the Business Case progressively to the various levels of Management and seek their approval for the Investment amount.

Project Management

• Ensuring adequacy of funding versus approved plan. Periodic reviews of performance versus approved plan. Suggesting corrective action where required. With the Head of Finance champion strategic projects that will improve organisational efficiency and remedy causes of financial and operational inefficiency.

Communication

• Establish effective communication channels with the Retail HO and Group Finance management. Review existing reporting protocols in management, finance, purchasing, marketing, and human resources.
• Appropriate interactions with project stakeholders and process owners. Develop strong collaborative relationships with & ensure key Stake-holders for projects are identified and engaged.
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Skills

Required Skills to be successful

• Strategic Planning
• Strong Leadership skills
• Analytical skills
• Organization & Planning
• Risk Management
• Managing Ambiguity
• Decision Making
• Presentation skills

What equips you for the role

Minimum Qualification and Knowledge

• Education: University Degree or Post graduate degree

Accounting qualification (ACCA/CMA/CIMA)

Knowledge in SAP is essential

Minimum Experience

• Minimum of 5+ years in a financial analysis role
• Ideally experience in a retail environment
• Has supported and lead on financial management/budgeting cycles in a SME organization

Behavioral Competencies

• Strong communication skills
• Decision making
• leadership and a strategic thinker
• Personal Leadership
• Collaboration
• Ability to lead, develop and motivate. A high degree of accuracy is essential.