Commercial Finance Manager, Singapore

A global company with approximately 6,000 employees in more than 30 countries, one of Suntory Global Spirit's core values is Growing for Good and through its Proof Positive sustainability strategy, the company has committed to ambitious goals and investments to promote environmental sustainability in its operations, ensure the company has a positive impact on the communities where employees live and work, and programs to educate and inform consumers to make the right personal choices about drinking. Headquartered in New York City, Suntory Global Spirits is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan.

Role Responsibilities

Mission of Role

SEA, comprising of 14 countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Philippines, is part of the Emerging Asia business unit within the APAC region. This role will be reporting directly to the Senior Finance Manager. The primary purpose of the role is to support P&L management and commercial activities in Singapore.

Role Responsibilities

Commercial Finance

• Key business partner to Commercial, Marketing and Trade Marketing teams based in Singapore

• Collaborating with RGM team, to implement pricing per Global/ APAC guidelines; analyze commercial data and identify opportunities to optimize pricing in the value chain

• Drive value chain analysis and understanding on a channel level

• Support the annual pricing review exercise and pricing benchmarking

• Lead the simulation of new business cases for potential new customers or channels, including reviewing and optimizing trading terms for profitability & alignment with company goals, that will drive growth and expansion opportunities

• Partner the commercial team in building promotional plans, evaluating ROIs, validating customer claims and ensuring proper documentation in place

• Drive conversations between Marketing, Trade Marketing and Commercial teams in optimizing trade investments

• Partner Commercial team to optimize sales mix and pricing to drive margin improvement

• Partner Legal and Commercial team in reviewing legal contracts to ensure compliance and protect the SGS's interest from a financial standpoint

• Responsible for managing customers' accounts receivable, monitoring credit to minimize risk and maintain cashflow targets

• Responsible for the ERP system (SAP/V2V) set up, configuration and ongoing maintenance of price group, rebate & customer conditions

• Support annual joint business plan target setting with Wholesalers

• Instill commercial discipline and upholding compliance standards, proactively reviewing current processes to address control deficiencies

Month-end Closing

• Complete accruals for trade investments and A&P

• Monthly journal entry preparation for Price Support accruals. Ensure timely and accurate recognition of accruals of trade spends

• Responsible for managing revenue deferral & ensuring accurate sales recognition in compliance with accounting standards

Long Description

Business Performance Management

• Maintain a firm grasp on business performance by market/brand performance and provide insights to assist commercial team on business and financial improvement opportunities

• Review country level depletion performance, shipment plan and stock in-trade

• Triangulate business performance with understanding of market share and consumer depletions

• Initiate market specific price builds, pricing reviews and trade terms analysis and ensure reports in place to guide management decisions

• Track monthly, YTD, Quarterly and FY monthly P&L

• Monitor market/brand performance expectations, actuals delivery and target achievement

Forecasting and Planning

• Partner commercial, marketing, and supply functions to prepare Budget and full year forecast in line with planning cycles and deadlines

• Drive the development of annual budget and 3-year Strategic Plan in line with market and product strategic ambitions

• Collaborate with Demand Planning team to review for market opportunities and mitigating risks in conjunction with every forecast cycle

• Proactive identification or risks and opportunities and engage Commercial team in discussions on gap closing initiatives

• Review inventory depletion performance against shipment forecast with understanding of market share

• Complete monthly/quarterly management reporting submissions

• Report and comment on key variances for actuals, forecast and budget

Process Improvements

• Make recommendations for simplification of processes including pricing maintenance, month end reporting, forecasting and business planning

• Challenge and drive improvements in current processes, internal controls and compliance.

• Proactively promote financial awareness and understanding within the business

Additional specifics

• Develop and manage Commercial Finance Analyst

• Support projects for Singapore when required

• Support business case for innovation or new business opportunities

Qualifications

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree qualified with finance or accounting qualification and relevant industry experience

• Stakeholder Engagement and Management - demonstrated experience in influencing and managing cross functional stakeholders across geographies, building mutually beneficial, profit-focused business relationships

• Possess strong commercial acumen. Analyze and understand the business context beyond financial numbers

• Systems/software - experience in using advanced Microsoft Excel (essential), as well as previous exposure to ERP and management reporting/consolidation systems (preferable)

• Experienced in writing succinct and insightful business performance reports, and summarizing business analysis

• Strong in building financial models and value chain analysis

• Cross Functional Working - proven experience in working proactively across commercial functions to deliver total business performance solutions.

• Fluent in English

Job Specific Competencies

• Proactive, high attention to detail, deadline focused

• Collaborative team player with ability to work in cross functional teams

• Tenacity, agility and rigor

• Strong planning and problem-solving skills

• Strong commercial skills and high level of business acumen

• Excellent verbal, written communication and interpersonal skills

• Culturally sensitive attitude and approach

• Strong time management, able to prioritize a diverse workload and deadlines

• Demonstrate a 'drive for results' mentality

Short Description

At Suntory Global Spirits, people are our number one priority, and we believe our people grow together in diverse and inclusive environments where their unique insights, experiences and backgrounds are valued and respected. Suntory Global Spirits is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, military veteran status and all other characteristics, attributes or choices protected by law. All recruitment and hiring decisions are based on an applicant's skills and experience.
WE BELIEVE IN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

We welcome applications from all members of society irrespective of age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion, or belief. All recruitment and hiring decisions are based on an applicant's skills and experience. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, and to perform crucial job functions. Please contact us if you require assistance.

In 2023, Suntory Global Spirits earned a top score in Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index and was a recipient of the Equality 100 Award: Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion.