Lead - Business Finance

The Business Finance Manager will act as a strategic partner to business leadership, driving financial planning, performance management, and commercial decision support. The role involves ownership of AOP, forecasting, P&L management, business analytics, and enabling profitable growth across categories, channels, and geographies.

Role & responsibilities

1. Annual Operating Plan (AOP) & Forecasting

• Lead the end-to-end AOP process for the business unit including topline, margins, trade spends, opex, and profitability.
  
• Develop monthly/quarterly forecasts and scenario-based planning to support dynamic business needs.
  
• Consolidate inputs from sales, marketing, supply chain, manufacturing, and category teams.
  

2. Business Partnering & Leadership Support

• Work closely with business heads, category leaders, sales leadership, and supply chain team to influence decisions with financial insights.
  
• Provide real-time analysis on business performance, variances, risks, opportunities, and recommend corrective actions.
  
• Participate in monthly/quarterly business reviews and drive strategic financial conversations.
  

3. P&L Ownership & Commercial Finance

• Track revenue, gross margins, trade investments, promotions, pricing, and channel profitability.
  
• Evaluate new product launches, channel programs, and marketing spends through ROI analysis.
  
• Monitor SKU-wise and region-wise profitability to support portfolio optimization.
  

4. Performance Management & MIS

• Drive standardised reporting frameworks across P&L, working capital, productivity, and category/brand performance.
  
• Deliver dashboards and MIS to leadership with key insights and actionable outcomes.
  
• Own variance analysis (AOP vs Actuals, Forecast vs Actuals).
  

5. Financial Governance & Controls

• Ensure adherence to financial policies, budget controls, and approval processes.
  
• Partner with commercial and supply chain teams to ensure accuracy in accruals, claims, and spend tracking.
  
• Support internal/external audits and compliance requirements.
  

6. Strategic Projects & Analytics

• Support strategic initiatives such as productivity programs, pricing strategy, cost optimisation, and digital analytics.
  
• Conduct competitor benchmarking and market intelligence.
  
• Lead financial modelling for key business initiatives.

Preferred candidate profile

• Strong FMCG financial acumen (trade spends, margins, contribution, channel economics).
  
• Expertise in AOP, planning cycles, P&L management, and forecasting.
  
• Strong communication and stakeholder management with senior leadership.
  
• Advanced Excel, financial modelling, and MIS/dashboarding (Power BI preferred).
  
• Problem-solving, analytical mindset, and ability to influence without authority.