Lead Associate - Business Finance

Lead Associate - Business Finance

Omni Channel Business Finance Team

Role Overview

We are seeking a proactive Finance Professional for our Omni Channel Business Finance team to manage comprehensive financial planning, P&L optimization and business analytics for our International Brands and franchise partnerships. This role encompasses strategic financial planning, working capital management, performance monitoring and business development support with a focus on driving profitability and operational efficiency for international brands franchise partner stores.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Planning & P&L Management

• Prepare and maintain comprehensive monthly and quarterly MIS, P&L statements and performance trackers at brand and store level
• Develop Monthly Operating Plans (MOP) and EBITDA projections with detailed variance analysis, risk identification and recovery actions
• Conduct monthly Plan vs Actual (PvA) reconciliation and root cause analysis (RCA) to provide actionable insights on performance deviations
• Prepare P&L and MIS for offline business and validate all provisions with accuracy and timeliness

Inventory Management & Working Capital Optimization

• Monitor and maintain optimal Days of Hold (DOH) and Stock Turn Ratio (STR) across brands and channels while identifying and resolving aged inventory issues
• Review and approve Open To Buy (OTB) requirements aligned with sales forecasts and margin targets
• Validate inventory billing, B2B rate cards and margin corrections; manage shortages claims and Credit Note (CN) processes with franchises
• Support aged liquidation initiatives ensuring P&L impact alignment and coordinating with operations teams

Performance Monitoring & Business Analytics

• Track weekly and fortnightly performance metrics including sales, PvA, EBITDA risk and key business indicators
• Create and maintain comprehensive dashboards and performance reports using analytics tools (Power BI, Excel) with regular updates
• Monitor pricing parity between online and offline channels; provide inputs for growth and margin optimization initiatives
• Prepare detailed review decks with messaging and key callouts for leadership meetings and performance reviews

New Business Development & Franchise Management

• Conduct P&L feasibility assessments for new brand partnerships, store openings and expansion projects with benchmarking analysis
• Model financial projections and commercial viability for new stores and brands using comparative analysis

Stakeholder Management & Cross-functional Collaboration

• Partner with business, category, inventory planning and brand teams to align financial and operational objectives
• Manage ad-hoc approval requests (OTB, budgets, marketing spends, VM) with adequate validation and quick turnaround
• Conduct strategic reviews and identify process improvement opportunities across finance operations

Required Qualifications & Competencies

• Qualified Chartered Accountant with 1-3 years of experience in Business Finance, FP&A, or Retail Finance
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Demonstrated expertise in P&L management, working capital optimization and inventory analysis
• Proficiency in Excel (advanced), Google sheets, SQL and data visualization tools (will be a plus)
• Ability to work independently on multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment