Strategic Business Lead

As a Strategic Business Lead, you will play a key role in driving the financial direction of the business by supporting the Strategic Business Controller, Finance Director, and Management Team. You will lead financial planning, forecasting, reporting, and performance analysis, while providing valuable insights that support business decisions and long-term growth. You will also help ensure strong financial governance and effective performance management across the organisation.

In this role, you will also

• Lead the annual strategic planning process and coordinate the rolling forecast, annual plan, and strategic plan across the Finance team.
• Review planning assumptions and provide financial insights to support business and strategic decisions.
• Build financial models and prepare meaningful business performance reports for the Management Team.
• Lead monthly financial reporting and provide updates to the brand owner and key stakeholders.
• Monitor Working Capital performance and maintain forecast accuracy across the Finance organisation.
• Prepare and review P&L analysis by channel and brand, working closely with the Commercial and Supply Chain teams.
• Support quarterly reporting to Shareholders, the Board of Directors, and the Audit Committee.
• Coordinate monthly financial forecasts as part of the S&OP process.
• Manage revenue and duty cost forecasting while identifying business risks and opportunities.
• Analyse business performance, highlight key trends, and provide recommendations to improve results.
• Ensure strong financial controls are in place and uphold HEINEKEN's Code of Business Conduct.
• Support ad-hoc financial analysis, reporting requests, and strategic initiatives.

Key Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration. Chartered Accountant qualification is an advantage.
• Minimum 8–10 years of managerial experience, with at least 3 years in a senior finance role within an FMCG environment.
• Strong experience in financial planning, forecasting, budgeting, reporting, and business performance management.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to turn financial data into business insights.
• Excellent stakeholder management and business partnering skills.
• Experience in financial modelling and strategic business analysis.
• Good understanding of financial governance and controls.
• Strong communication and presentation skills