Manager - Financial Planning & Analysis

Manager - Financial Planning & Analysis

About the Role:

We are seeking a Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) Manager to oversee and manage the financial operations of our Buying & Merchandising department.

This role involves budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, vendor management, and reviewing terms of trade.

The ideal candidate will bring strong analytical expertise, a deep understanding of financial principles, and proven experience in collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders to support strategic decision-making.

Key Responsibilities:

- Lead budgeting and forecasting processes for the Buying & Merchandising function.

- Prepare and analyze monthly, quarterly, and annual Statements of Margin.

- Ensure accurate and timely recording of purchases, debit notes, and credit notes.

- Monitor financial performance against budgets and forecasts, highlighting variances and recommending corrective actions.

- Conduct detailed financial analysis to support business decisions on product assortment, pricing, and vendor negotiations.

- Reconcile reported margin vs. actuals and identify areas of improvement.

- Partner with category managers, merchandising teams, and vendors to optimize terms of trade and vendor performance.

- Develop dashboards and financial models to support strategic initiatives.

- Ensure compliance with internal financial controls and coordinate with external auditors during audits.

- Provide actionable insights on profitability, cost optimization, and investment opportunities.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

- 5 to 8 years of experience in FP&A, preferably in retail, FMCG, or e-commerce.

- Strong knowledge of financial reporting, margin analysis, and vendor management.

- Proficiency in financial modeling, scenario analysis, and business case preparation.

- Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills; experience with ERP systems (SAP/Oracle) and BI tools (Power BI/Tableau) is an advantage.

- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking abilities.

- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

- Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality outputs under tight deadlines.

- CA/MBA (Finance) or equivalent qualification preferred