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