JOB PURPOSES:
The Finance Business Partner Manager (Sales) is responsible for independently supporting the Finance Director in overseeing the administration and practices of the partnered functions. This includes monitoring and analyzing performance from top line to bottom line, including sales performance and sales expenses, distributor payments, sales force costs, trade budgets, channel P&L, and category P&L, as well as other special projects as assigned by the Finance Director.
In addition, the Finance Business Partner Manager (Sales) plays an important role in building capabilities, enhancing operational effectiveness, and fostering team spirit and a collaborative culture across the Finance team and the broader organization.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Finance's Strategy:
- Understand the business strategies and challenges of the Sales functions and provide effective support to help the company achieve its targets.
- Actively monitor and review Sales KPIs on a monthly basis with the Finance Director to evaluate risks and opportunities, ensuring delivery in line with the plan.
- Drive all assigned Finance KPIs to support the achievement of short-, medium-, and long-term strategies.
Budget Controlling:
- Ensure the final budget is reviewed and approved by all relevant parties within the agreed deadlines for budgeting and forecasting cycles.
- Provide timely and accurate reports and analysis of business results versus plan (e.g., monthly sales reports, sales force cost reports, channel and category P&L, and trade reports), including variance analysis and clear explanations to support decision-making.
- Proactively lead and facilitate monthly review meetings with business partners on sales force costs, trade budgets, and channel and category P&L to evaluate risks and opportunities and ensure delivery in line with the plan.
- Manage operating expenses, including sales incentives, promotion payments, display payments, wholesale and retail scheme payments, trade return management, and Sales Management System payments.
- Lead, manage, and analyze sales field budgets, particularly sales force costs.
- Conduct analyses and propose actions or adjustments based on monthly reports to the Finance Director/Country Manager for approval or revision.
- Implement approved changes in relevant systems and ensure ongoing follow-through of the process.
Customer Financial Effectiveness:
- Lead the financial effectiveness of investments to distributors and customers.
- Take the lead in TTC monitoring and analysis, and support the MT team in negotiations with Key Accounts, including plan, actual, and forecast figures.
- Lead the analysis of CAP reports (customer profitability analysis) by Key Account, and present findings to business partners and the management team, along with actionable recommendations.
P&L management:
- Lead internal P&L analysis by channel (by channel and by region), including actual, plan, and forecast.
- Lead internal P&L analysis by category and sub-category, including actual, plan, and forecast.
- Analyze expenses to determine the return on investment of incentive and promotional programs (both pre- and post-evaluation).
- Develop and propose pricing strategies to enhance sustainable profitability while considering market conditions and internal strategies.
- Prepare evaluations for new product launches or re-launches.
Compliance:
- Lead compliance in business operations, including annual external audits and periodic internal audits. Drive transparency in sales performance.
- Manage sales promotions effectively in line with organizational compliance requirements.
- Ensure full implementation of sales policies and internal audit activities.
- Review and establish internal processes to improve efficiency and control.
- Serve as the main point of contact between the Sales team and Finance, handling general operational issues and escalating to the Finance Manager when appropriate.
Finance Partnership:
- Build effective personal and professional relationships with partnered functions to become a trusted and high-performing Sales and Marketing Business Partner.
- Balance business partner needs with overall business objectives to ensure optimal outcomes.
- Bring Finance value and insights to effectively support Sales and Marketing Business Partners.
- Deliver training to business partners to enhance their financial understanding and capabilities.
Team Development:
- Train, coach, and develop subordinates by progressively transferring knowledge to support career development and succession planning.
- Contribute to building a strong Finance culture and driving positive change where applicable.
- Actively contribute to strengthening teamwork within the department and across the company.
Others:
- Participate in local and regional projects.
- Prepare Finance reports as assigned by the Finance Director and submit them within the required timelines.
- Perform other job assignments as requested by the Finance Director and the Company to contribute to the success of the Finance Department and the organization.
- Ensure delivery of work with a high level of commitment, strong quality standards, and adherence to timelines.
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
Education:
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Finance or Accounting; postgraduate qualifications are a plus.
- Professional certifications such as ACCA, CIMA, or CPA are an advantage.
Work Experience and Skills:
- At least 10 years of solid finance experience, including a minimum of 3 years in a similar or equivalent role.
- International experience is an advantage.
- Experience with ERP systems is highly preferred.
- Proven experience working in a matrix multinational organization.
- Experience in transactional and retail business environments.
- Knowledge of the cosmetics and skincare industry is a plus.
- Strong understanding of market and business trends, with the ability to analyze the business environment and identify opportunities.
- Proficiency in English, with strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
- Strong project management skills to drive change and transformation initiative.
- Excellent presentation skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
- Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
- Strong negotiation and influencing abilities.
- Effective business partnering skills.
- Proficiency in MS Office, especially Microsoft Excel.
- Strong analytical skills, including simulation capabilities.
