Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Manager

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Financial Planning & Budgeting

• Lead the annual budgeting and multi-year financial planning process in close collaboration with department heads and senior leadership.
• Develop and maintain robust financial models to support short- and long-term business planning, including scenario and sensitivity analyses.
• Challenge budget assumptions to ensure plans are realistic, commercially sound, and aligned with the company’s strategic objectives.
• Coordinate the consolidation of budgets across business units and functions, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
• Track budget utilisation throughout the year and provide timely guidance to budget owners on variances and corrective actions.

2. Forecasting & Performance Reporting

• Own and manage the rolling forecast process, updating projections on a monthly and quarterly basis to reflect the latest business trends and market conditions.
• Prepare and distribute monthly management reporting packs, including income statement analysis, KPI dashboards, and variance commentary.
• Establish clear reporting cycles with structured analysis of variances between actuals and plan, identifying root causes and recommending corrective actions.
• Monitor key financial and operational metrics, translating data into actionable insights for the leadership team.
• Continuously improve the efficiency and quality of reporting processes, reducing manual effort through automation and BI tooling.

3. Business Partnering & Commercial Support

• Act as a trusted financial business partner to department heads across operations, sales, marketing, and supply chain, providing timely and relevant financial analysis to support decision-making.
• Conduct ROI and profitability analyses for new product launches, market expansion initiatives, capital investments, and strategic projects.
• Support pricing strategy reviews and margin analysis to ensure profitability targets are maintained across product lines and customer segments.
• Provide commercial recommendations on supplier negotiations, distributor agreements, and promotional spend evaluation.
• Promote financial awareness and cost discipline across the organisation through regular engagement with non-finance stakeholders.

4. Strategic Analysis & Decision Support

• Prepare financial business cases and investment appraisals to support senior leadership in evaluating strategic opportunities.
• Develop and maintain long-range financial models including three- to five-year P&L, cash flow, and balance sheet projections.
• Provide ad hoc financial analysis and scenario modelling as required by the CFO and executive team.
• Benchmark financial performance against industry peers and identify opportunities to enhance competitiveness and profitability.
• Support M&A evaluation, due diligence processes, and post-merger integration planning where applicable.

5. Systems, Data & Process Improvement

• Own and develop the FP&A toolset, including planning software, ERP modules, and business intelligence platforms.
• Drive continuous improvement in financial processes, data quality, and reporting infrastructure to support a scalable finance function.
• Collaborate with IT and data teams to enhance the availability and integrity of financial and operational data.
• Define and implement best-practice FP&A frameworks, templates, and methodologies across the organisation.

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS

• University degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional finance qualification (e.g., CFA, ACCA, CPA, CIMA, or equivalent) is strongly preferred.

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 7-8 years of progressive experience in FP&A, financial controlling, or corporate finance, ideally within the food, FMCG, manufacturing, or distribution industry.
• Proven track record of leading budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting cycles in a complex, multi-functional organisation.
• Demonstrated experience as a financial business partner to senior commercial and operational stakeholders.
• Experience with financial modelling, investment appraisals, and strategic planning processes.
• Prior exposure to ERP system implementation or enhancement projects is an advantage.
• Experience working in Saudi Arabia or the wider GCC region, with knowledge of local regulatory and compliance requirements, is highly desirable.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Exceptional financial modelling and analytical skills, with an ability to distil complex data into clear, concise insights.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles (IFRS and Local GAAP), financial planning methodologies, and management reporting frameworks.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel and financial planning tools; experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics) and BI platforms (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) is essential.
• Strong leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to engage and align stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience presenting financial information to executive audiences.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strategic mindset combined with a hands-on approach and strong attention to detail.
• Commercially astute, with a good understanding of supply chain, cost structures, and value chain economics within the food or FMCG sector.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and adaptable to change.