Position Overview
The Head of Finance for the Consumer Care business is a strategic leadership role responsible for the full spectrum of finance operations for the Malaysian market. This role acts as a critical business partner to the Country MD and the Regional Finance Head, providing data-driven insights to drive revenue growth, ensure strong financial governance, and optimize manufacturing efficiencies. The ideal candidate will bridge technical accounting with commercial strategy, overseeing a diverse portfolio of consumer brands.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Financial Leadership & Operations
Oversee daily finance operations, including accounting, management information functions, and month-end/year-end closing processes.
Ensure accurate, timely, and compliant financial reporting in accordance with MFRS/IFRS and global corporate guidelines.
Lead the annual budgeting and rolling forecast processes, aligning financial objectives with operational and strategic plans.
Provide variance analysis and proactive recommendations to address deviations from budgeted performance.
2. Manufacturing & Supply Chain Finance
Oversee plant finance operations, including standard costing architecture, BOM analysis, and production variance control.
Drive cost optimization initiatives across the manufacturing value chain to enhance gross profit margins.
Partner with the Supply Chain team to manage inventory risks, working capital, and logistics efficiencies.
3. Commercial Business Partnering & Brand Growth
Serve as a strategic co-pilot to the MD and Brand Managers, evaluating marketing ROI, trade spend accuracy, and pricing strategies.
Deliver data-driven analysis to support decision-making for new product launches and market expansion.
Evaluate and approve promotional margins and feedback on the commercial viability of business proposals.
4. Treasury, Tax & Risk Management
Manage cash flow, liquidity, and working capital to ensure the company's financial sustainability.
Oversee tax compliance and planning, including Corporate Income Tax, SST, and international Transfer Pricing documentation.
Develop and implement strategies to manage financial, operational, and regulatory risks effectively.
5. Digital Transformation & People Leadership
Drive digitalization and automation initiatives within the finance function to improve operational efficiency (e.g., RPA, ERP enhancements).
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Key Requirements
Professional Qualifications: Degree in Finance/Accounting; professional certification (e.g., ACCA, CPA, CIMA, or MIA) is highly preferred.
Experience: Minimum 12–15 years of progressive experience, with a heavy emphasis on the FMCG and Manufacturing sectors.
Big 4 Foundation: Early career experience in a Big 4 Audit Firm is a strong advantage for technical and governance grounding.
Technical Skills: Proficient in ERP systems (SAP or Oracle) and advanced data visualization tools (Power BI or Tableau).
Leadership: Proven track record of managing large teams and influencing senior stakeholders in a matrix reporting environment
