• Experience in a senior leadership/management position within the Commercial Finance arena
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic expertise
• Proven track record in creating value and driving operational efficiencies within the Dairy industry

About the opportunity 

• The Finance Business Partner is part of the Finance team charged as a trusted co-pilot of business, providing the business with robust commercial and strategic thinking to achieve the company’s financial and strategic objectives. They based these insights on analysis of operational performance, industry dynamics, competitor landscape, and development of business plans together with the support of the insights team.

Key Accountabilities 

Performance Management & Decision-Making Support

• In conjunction with Insights Team, establish key financial performance measures for the function and leads regular performance review and management processes.
• Analyse financial and non-financial data (e.g market share, category growth, secondary sales, DFA, etc) to develop insights into performance with the support of the Insights Team to influence decision making.
• Analyse and provide commentaries to Business Lead to drive business performance and support decision-making by providing the following: 
• Objective, transparent challenge and support to the function,
• Assist in developing pricing strategies/ consumer value propositions, 
• Review spends of trading terms & Advertising & Promotion spend (ROI) effectiveness and ensures the business operates within policies and guidelines.
• Deeply understands gross margin variances and runs various cost models. 
• Run scenario planning and build models for new investments/ new product propositions.
• Actively participate in monthly IBP meetings, and together with the demand planner builds forecast with the support of the Insights & analyst team.
• Lead the analysis and review of performance metrics KPIs and works with management teams to instigate necessary corrective actions.
• Engage with marketing, sales & supply chain teams to explore/understand performance drivers, co-develop potential corrective actions and quantify potential opportunities.
• Work with the Insights Team to ensure that the data in the management reporting system is both accurate and timely for both actual results and forecasts.

Development of strategy and business plans

• Drive planning and forecasting activities for the business, including working with the various sub-divisions in aligning business unit timelines to the Company timelines with the Planning & Insights manager.
• Build and coordinate preparation of annual budget/ forecast with the Business Lead and support to build the strategy and plans for the Budget & 3-year business plan. 
• Together with the business and operations build monthly/rolling forecast. 

Others 

• Work in conjunction with Financial Controller, and Planning, performance, insights Team to apply best practices to local jurisdictions and ensuring compliance with policy. 
• Participate in Business initiatives to improve processes across the business.
• Together with Finance Director and Planning & Insights Manager, provides a positive role model by demonstrating the Fonterra Values and providing a working environment that drives high performance and attracts and retains talent, builds individual and team capability through coaching and mentoring.

What you’ll bring to the role

To be successful in this role, you will possess the following:

• Tertiary qualification in a field relevant to Commercial
• Masters or Ph.D. in a field relevant to Commercial or Accounting preferred
• Minimum 10 years of experience in a senior leadership/management position within the Commercial Finance area
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with business partners at a senior level
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic expertise
• Proven track record in creating value and driving operational efficiencies within the Dairy industry
• Knowledge of commercial opportunities and threats within the Dairy Industry
• Strong skills in relationship and alliance building, influencing, and managing business partnerships
• Personal accountability, collaboration, and a willingness to challenge and be challenged
• Ability to manage complexity, value diversity, and strive for real outcomes
• Well-established Commercial Industry networks
• Strong commercial acumen and strategic expertise
• Bias towards action, ownership, high achievement, flexibility, and resilience
• Ability to build strategic partnerships and advocate for initiatives.
• Knowledge of revenue maximization, capital efficiency, and operational efficiency within the Dairy industry