Description
Position: Finance Director
As the Finance Director for Lebanon, you will serve as a strategic co-pilot to the Country General Manager and a key member of the local Management Committee (ManCom). You will be responsible for steering the financial performance of the subsidiary, ensuring robust internal controls, managing cash flow and treasury in a highly volatile economic environment, and partnering with commercial and brand teams to drive sustainable, profitable growth.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Business Partnering & Co-Piloting
• Act as a strategic advisor to the General Manager and brand heads, translating financial insights into actionable business strategies.
• Optimize the country’s Profit & Loss (P&L), maximizing return on investment (ROI) on advertising, promotion (A&P), and trade spend.
• Evaluate commercial policies, pricing strategies, and distributor agreements to safeguard margins in a shifting currency landscape.
2. Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
• Lead the local budget construction, trend analyses, and three-year strategic planning cycles.
• Deliver accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting to Zone and Group headquarters in compliance with IFRS and Group standards.
• Monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) closely, proactively identifying risks and opportunities to steer performance.
3. Treasury, Cash Management & Risk Mitigation (Critical for Lebanon)
• Oversee local cash-flow forecasting and liquidity management, ensuring operational continuity.
• Manage complex banking relationships and local currency risks in a volatile monetary environment.
• Supervise working capital (receivables, inventory, payables) with a strong focus on Credit Management and timely collection policies.
4. Internal Control, Tax & Compliance
• Ensure absolute compliance with L'Oréal Group’s internal control framework and local Lebanese legal, tax, and accounting regulations.
• Liaise with external auditors, tax consultants, and local authorities.
• Identify, monitor, and mitigate operational, financial, and legal risks across all departments.
5. Team Leadership & Talent Development
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing finance team (Accounting, FP&A, Credit Control).
• Foster a culture of agility, transparency, and high ethical standards within the finance function and the wider organization.
• Drive digital transformation within the finance department (automation of reports, modern ERP usage).
Required Profile & Qualifications
• Education: Master’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field (CPA, CFA, or CMA is a strong plus).
• Experience: 10+ years of progressive finance experience, with at least 3–5 years in a senior financial leadership role, preferably within the FMCG, Beauty, or Retail sectors.
• Market Knowledge: Proven experience navigating the complex financial, banking, and regulatory landscape of Lebanon. Strong expertise in cash management under economic volatility is highly valued.
• Languages: Fluent in English and Arabic is mandatory. Proficiency in French is highly desirable given the local and group context.
• Skills & Systems: Advanced knowledge of ERP systems (SAP preferred) and business intelligence tools. Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Leadership Posture: Strong resilience, agility, systemic thinking, and the ability to challenge the status quo constructively while maintaining strong business partnering relationships.
