Commercial Finance Manager

No Relocation Assistance Offered
# 161248 - Helsinki, Southern Finland, Finland

Who We Are
Colgate-Palmolive Company is a caring, innovative growth company that is reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet. Focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition, we sell our products in more than 200 countries and territories under brands such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, hello, meridol, Sorriso, Tom’s of Maine, EltaMD, Filorga, Irish Spring, PCA SKIN, Protex, Sanex, Softsoap, Speed Stick, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

We are recognized for our leadership and innovation in promoting sustainability and community wellbeing, including our achievements in decreasing plastic waste and promoting recyclability, saving water, conserving natural resources and improving children’s oral health.

If you want to work for a company that lives by their values, then give your career a reason to smile and join our global team!
 

Location: Helsinki, Finland

 

What’s the job purpose? 
As a Commercial Finance Manager  you will: 

• Act as a key business partner providing financial service and guidance to the General Manager, Customer Development & Consumer Experience, providing operational recommendations and advice, financial planning and analysis
• Effectively running the Country Budget processes within the agreed Company goals and Strategy. Working directly with the Northern Europe Hub to ensure accurate financial reporting
• Proactively assisting the Customer Development Managers (CDMs) to lead Account performance
• Strict controlling of trade spending process (accruals, analysis, reconciliations)
• Effectively monitoring Accounts Receivable balances
• Partner with Hub team to Control & Manage local Advertising and NVO spending
• Ensuring that the financial processes in Finland comply with Colgate Financial Policy and local laws

 

The responsibilities are: 

• Work with Customer Development organisation to determine the Account profitability and recommend appropriate changes for improvements
• Drive the Account Planning processes, ensuring appropriate input into Budget & Estimates by Account into Planning Systems (SAP/P2A/CBP)
• Monitoring Risks & Opportunities (Volume/ASP/Margin) against the Account budgets, proactively proposing solutions. Working with individual CDMs to analyse and resolve Account issues
• Leading role within the monthly commercial controlling process to present the latest estimates & ensure appropriate financial difficulty
• Work closely with CDMs and Consumer Experience to ensure that brand strategy is followed in a consistent and correct manner
• Maximise financial return through promotional effectiveness (ROI, pre & post evaluations) 
• Provide a monthly financial overview to the Hub Finance Director and General Manager, recommending changes to improve financial effectiveness and profitability. Continuously stay updated of potential customer claims and their impact on trade spending
• Provide Customer Development teams with appropriate accounting treatment for sales promotions
• Monthly review of Trade payment accruals and current Customer Claims, to ensure adequate provisions exist
• Support the Customer Development team in Customer negotiations & ongoing evaluation of trade spend
• Be an active member of the Hub Finance team

 

Yes - this is totally me! My key competencies and background meet these criteria: 

• A relevant educational degree and experience for a Commercial Finance position 
• Prior experience in an International Company/FMCG is an advantage
• The role is highly team based and requires highly developed interpersonal skills that enable a good team performance
• It requires strong leadership skills to challenge and influence commercial teams
• Strong communicator (verbal and written) and presentation skills, fluency in English required, Finnish an advantage
• With many conflicting demands and aggressive timetables, the role requires a professional, planned, organized and prioritized approach to work, along with an objective and pragmatic manner
• There is a requirement to “roll the sleeves up” and accept that, alongside the strategic work, there will always be more tedious chores to be done
• Credibility of the Team is generated by consistently accurate financial plans requiring meticulous attention to detail

 

What’s some of the key challenges waiting for you?
To be able to play a pivotal role in deter