ABOUT US

We are a leading global Company in the Chemical Industry, operating in ~100 countries and providing a wide range of value-innovative products and solutions through excellence in formulation.

We have a strong track record of innovation, change and sales growth, and pride ourselves on empowering our teams to develop and implement local strategies.

In Italy we have a stable market share (~80m EUR), positioning us among the Top 5 Companies in the ranking. Our strategy is to further evolve towards a customer listening and data driven culture, a transparent performance management of our People by continuously improving our organizational performance. This allows us to execute improvements in the quality of the business, creating and sharing value with our channel-partners and end-users.

ROLE SUMMARY

This role will have oversight and responsibility for all financial functions within Italy and is pivotal to our financial success.

The role is a key member of the local Management team.

Priorities for the Head of Finance will be:

• Business Partnering to the Country Head to drive financial based decision making
• In tight collaboration with the Country Head and the Regional & Commercial Unit Finance Leadership drive transformation and operational efficiencies by designing, monitoring and owning Company’s key operational processes Ensuring accurate and punctual delivery of requirements from Global and European Finance Leadership
  

In addition, this position requires the development and implementation of financial and accounting plans: effective cashflow management, financial planning, budgeting and reporting, supported by robust processes consistent with local legal and regulatory requirements.

Further the role manages the IT local support.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work as the Finance lead and as a key partner to Country Head to support business healthy growth
• Coordinating the WP & 5YP process at local level
• Preparing decks for regular business review meetings with Regional & Commercial Unit Leadership
• Leading the Monthly RFC Process in co-ownership with the local Supply Chain Head and the Commercial Director
• Transformation of the finance function and performance, including process improvements, to create a commercial focus together with financial and operational balance
• Provide advice on operational efficiencies, financial policies, and business strategy
• Review and manage from the financial perspective all contracts, including information and advice on or negotiate the financial aspects of any legal disputes or action.
• Create annual budgets and forecasts, including identify major drivers and opportunities/risks, monitor performance, and provide the appropriate analysis.
• Ensure adherence to national financial and accounting standards and processes
• Where applicable, oversee policy creation and adaptation as it relates to Financial and Operational functions, including but not limited to revenue tracking, client billing and invoicing, commission splits, payables and expense processing and vendor agreements and contracts.
• Oversight of daily cash receipts and bank account management and reconciliation.
• Able to offer suggestions and challenges where appropriate during team meetings, in and outside, including challenging management assumptions on forecasts.
• Work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders to deliver information and analysis on a timely, and efficient basis. Help prepare clear, insightful of documents for all key stakeholders to support the discussion and decision-making process.
  

Requirements:

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Business, Finance, Accounting or related field- a must

M.A in the related field or MBA- an advantage

Experience in a similar position from multinational company 5-8 years

Direct management of team – a must

Experience in analytical review, budgeting & reporting, SOX- a must

Experience in preparation statutory FS, working with Auditors

To be successful in this role you have to be:

Analysis and finance:

o Strong understanding of financial management, forecasting, and business performance measurement systems and an ability to develop, document and execute detailed budgets, forecasts, and effective and practical business plans to drive growth and performance

Problem-solving & creative thinking:

o Demonstrated ability to identify and evaluate complex business problems and provide well thought out solutions that might be unconventional

o Demonstrated ability to learn the business, have a business and customer centric approach to finance and solve commercial problems

o Problem solver with process improvement mindset

Excellent communication:

o Strong interpersonal, employee development, performance management and leadership skills.

Ability to collaborate and develop strong relationships with all levels of personnel within the organization

o Ability to effectively and professionally present financial information to senior management and corporate executives

o Fluent English and Italian

Results Oriented:

o Must be a well-organized, self-starter who can effectively articulate business plans and deliver results within a matrix organization

o Must possess personal and business integrity with an energetic style demonstrated by a positive attitude and a strong work ethic, including an ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects

o Ability to commit to Company values

MEASURES OF SUCCESS:

People Development:

• Ensure the right organizational set-up to deliver on accountabilities
• Provide transparent performance management to direct reports
• Drive sustained improvement in engagement and enablement, as measured through the Employee Engagement Survey (EES) Build and enhance financial skills by driving continue improvement mindset/environment to create innovative tools for simplicity & effectiveness.
  

Financial Execution:

• Manage operational effectiveness within core finance duties/day to day activities to be compliant with financial operation and risk assessments
• Manage the effectiveness and efficiencies of financial services quality by frequently communicating risk issues to Country Head/CU & Regional Finance Leadership Protect the assets of the company and ensure compliance with financial regulations.
  

Strategy:

Support and advise strategic and operational decision making through insights to the Country head, following alignment with CU Finance Leadership

Customer Focus

• Develop business knowledge to partner with Commercial Director and develop a customer listening culture and customer oriented decision making