Alcon - Head - Contract Management

As the global leader in eye care and second-largest division of Novartis, Alcon develops and manufactures innovative medicines and devices to serve the full life cycle of eye care needs.

We offer the broadest spectrum of surgical, pharmaceutical and vision care products to treat many eye diseases and conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, retinal diseases, dry eye, eye infection and eye inflammation, ocular allergies, refractive errors, and other ocular health issues. Alcon is the eye care division of Novartis with global annual revenue of 10.5 Billion US$.

We have an opening for Head - Contracts Management based out of Bangalore location.

Job Purpose :

- The Head of Contracts Management will be responsible for managing the portfolio of Equipment Financing Agreements (EFA) and Contracts for the Alcon Surgical business.

- The individual will ensure that the business is able to lay down the right EFA compliance guidelines, controls, processes and policies for Alcon India.

- The position will also be responsible for embedding SoPs for the Commercial team to follow when signing new deals and contracts so as to ensure that all equipment is covered under legal contract.

- The role will have to ensure adherence to Novartis Finance Control Manual (NFCM) for the Alcon India team. This includes awareness of internal and external regulations to comply with Novartis Guidelines.

- Role will be the India representative and liaison / interface with Regional Alcon Finance to report, track and embed back process with respect to EFA & Contracts into India business. The role will support the business in planning EFA volume commitments for strategic plan period towards achieving profitability targets.

Major Activities :

EFA Process / Sales And Business Support :

- Establish Contracts Management department at Alcon India.

- Establish compliance and controls for current and future EFAs and Contracts.

- Strengthen cash collection processes and receivables in coordination with FRA and business.

- Reduce Bad Debt Reserve.

- Create, execute and track remediation plans for low compliant contracts.

- Support Strategic Planning process through deal evaluation and deal profitability analytics.

- Support Sales and Commercial function in EFA strategy by Key Customers.

NFCM & CLC :

- Ensure that effective controls are maintained as required by the NFCM and CLC (Company Level Controls) for Alcon India.

- Improve Maturity Levels of EFA processes.

- Produce periodic metrics and reporting to the divisional/ regional/ Local management.

- Ensure risks are addressed by adequate controls per internal customer.

Financial Compliance :

- Lead implementation and enforcement of all required EFA Financial Controls.

- Align finance processes throughout internal customers and ensure compliance with local requirements.

- Support Finance Team for all audits.

Risk awareness :

- Raise awareness of key risks and risk response in the organization related to EFA & Contracts.

- Coach and strengthen internal control skills within the organization.

Standard Operating Procedures and policies :

- Ensure best practice internal control standards (Policies, SOPs, MALs) are in place for Alcon India.

- Contribute to the harmonization of the processes/controls throughout Alcon India.

- Assess current systems for compliance to internal control standards.

- Ad hoc reporting as requested and adherence to all company quality system procedures.

Training :

- Provide/initiate training on compliance requirements to controls owner across the organization

- Ensure to be up-to-date on periodical changes on compliance requirements

Key Performance Indicators :

- Country compliance rate

- Contract payback period

- EFA AR balance

- Bad Debt Reserve

- % EFA AR from Contracts

- NFCM Controls Maturity Level

Desired Skills & Experience :

- Ideal background would be a Degree in Accounting/Finance and CA qualification.

Experience/Professional requirement :

- 10 + years experience in a similar role for a large multinational

- Some level of Big 4 working experience will be an added advantage

- Understand all aspects of control environment, procedures and policies. Have a knowledge of SOX requirements

- Excellent communication skills

- Strong knowledge of US GAAP

- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Excel

- Excellent analytical and problem solving skills

- Results focused and highly motivate

- Proactive with proven ability to multi-task and prioritize

- Prior experience in People management would be an added advantage for this role

Alcon is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As part of the Novartis Group of Companies, Alcon takes pride in maintaining a diverse environment and our policies are not to discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected status.