Chief Financial Officer

Our client is a leading group with a strong Food Manufacturing and Distribution division. We are looking for an experienced Chief Financial Officer to be based at their head office in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

• Support the Executive VP to drive cultural change throughout as required to execute agreed upon business strategy
• Drive the Budgeting & Balanced Scorecard processes development with the business units. Ensure that these processes are used as key tools and progress measuring barometers to support business performance.
• Support decision-making processes by providing meaningful ad hoc analysis & financial perspective on all commercial decisions.
• Timely / meaningful monthly, quarterly, annual business & financial (consolidations) reporting plus planning & forecasting in the level of detail required by each internal and external user group.
• Drive effective cash flow management. Focus areas will include: capital efficiency management (working capital minimization and control; capex financial control management; capital employed barometers and strategies)
• Special projects (ie: supporting potential M & A & JVs, reorganizations); shared services
• As required, liaise with the internal and external stakeholders including business heads, Principals, government agencies, suppliers, insurance companies, consultants & advisors, internal auditors, external auditors
• Identify financial and business risk areas and leading actions to mitigate these risks. Focus areas will include but not be limited to:
• Driving internal control standards, procedures, practices across all Business units consistent with both Group as well as Sector financial policies and practices supportive of business needs (management; principal)

• Bachelors Degree in accounting/finance and a professional accounting qualification i.e. ACCA, CA, CMA, CPA.
• Minimum age 40 and up supported by 15 years or more related work experience incl. at least 8 years or more at Managerial level (CFO, FD or Group Controller level - department, business unit; division; subsidiary; company; etc) in an extensive multi site environment. Should have worked both at unit level in the field as well at Division or higher levels
• Extensive "hands on" experience with Principal driven FMCG Distribution businesses is a must
• Thoroughly conversant with: consolidations; accounting; costing; inventory control; NWC management; credit policy; ERP systems (ideally Oracle)
• Must have worked for several organizations in more than one country but not a job hopper. Organizations should include at least one well structured organized multinational as well as some fast growing companies.
• Any nationality with Middle East experience - fluent Arabic applicants very welcome, but not essential

• Emphasis will be on the operational component of the Finance Function. Therefore, could appeal to a strong Controller with the required experience and chemistry looking for next step in career
• Key requirement will be: "emotional intelligence" / ability to deal with a wide variety of interests (Principals; customers; staff; management; Group; etc) tactfully yet while achieving business goals understanding of complex. In addition to excellence in operational planning and control, experience with widely dispersed supply chains / logistics situations with customer focus (internal and external) in fast growing, fast changing situations would be useful
• Past organizations should be large and complex preferably with matrix organizational structures
• Outstanding leadership skills coupled with high energy, integrity and passion.
• An inspiring leader with enthusiasm, focus and drive.

First Resort Global Recruitment delivers tailor made recruitment solutions to selected companies around the world.

First Resort Global Recruitment combines Arabic and Western Recruiters and Business experts from around the world. Everyone employed by First Resort has lived and worked in various locations around the world so we can offer the best advice to our candidates about relocating. This also means we know how to find top quality candidates that match both your location and your organisation's cultural needs.

The result is a complementary vision to consistently fulfill the requirements for our selected clients worldwide.