Head of Finance, East Asia Pacific

Role Overview

The Senior Finance Director, East Asia Pacific (EAP) is the lead finance partner to the EAP Managing Director and Leadership Team, with end‑to‑end responsibility for financial strategy, performance management, and governance across a complex, multi‑market cluster.

Covering Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia (Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand), North Asia (Japan and Korea), and distributor markets, this role supports a diverse portfolio of business models—retail, wholesale, franchise, and eCommerce. The position plays a critical role in shaping strategy, optimizing investment decisions, and driving sustainable revenue and EBIT growth while ensuring strong financial discipline and compliance.

This is a highly visible leadership role requiring strong commercial acumen, executive presence, and the ability to operate effectively in a matrixed, fast‑growing regional environment.

Key Accountabilities

Strategic Business Partnering

• Act as the trusted financial advisor to the EAP Managing Director and Leadership Team, influencing key commercial and investment decisions.
• Partner closely with Commercial, Sales, Merchandising, Planning, Marketing, and Supply Chain leaders to shape and execute the Strategic Business Plan.
• Provide forward‑looking insights and scenario analysis to balance growth opportunities, risk management, and shareholder value creation.

Financial Strategy, Planning & Performance

• Lead the Annual Financial Plan (AFP), Strategic Business Plan (SBP), budgeting, and forecasting processes for the EAP cluster.
• Drive robust financial analysis across revenue, margin, operating expenses, and working capital to support decision‑making.
• Lead Monthly Business Reviews (MBR) and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP), translating financial performance into clear business actions.

Investment, Capital & Working Capital Management

• Evaluate and develop business cases for capital investments including new stores, supply chain, systems, and channel expansion, ensuring strong ROI discipline.
• Oversee inventory planning, open‑to‑buy budgets, and integration with financial forecasts.
• Lead cash flow forecasting, working capital optimization, and treasury management to improve cash conversion and capital efficiency.

Financial Control, Compliance & Governance

• Ensure integrity of financial results across the cluster, with strong controls, governance, and compliance with US GAAP, local statutory requirements, and SOX.
• Co‑lead the accounting close process across EAP, meeting global timelines and quality standards.
• Oversee tax, statutory filings, audit requirements, and act as legal representative for EAP entities as required.

Finance Organization Leadership

• Lead and develop a high‑performing EAP finance organization across all markets.
• Set the optimal organizational structure, capability mix, and succession plans aligned with global finance objectives.
• Coach, mentor, and build strong finance leaders with a commercial mindset and enterprise perspective.

Scope of Responsibility

• Functional leadership across FP&A, Controlling, Accounting, Tax, Treasury, AP/AR, Procurement, and Sales Audit for EAP.
• Oversight of retail, wholesale, franchise, and eCommerce financial performance across multiple countries and distributor models.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting or related field; MBA or professional qualification (CPA, CIMA, CA) preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive finance experience, including senior regional leadership roles in retail, FMCG, or consumer businesses.
• Strong background in FP&A, P&L ownership, and commercial finance in a multinational, matrixed environment.
• Proven experience managing diverse markets and business models across geographies.
• Demonstrated success leading large, distributed finance teams and developing future leaders.
• Deep expertise in financial planning, analysis, accounting, controls, and reporting (US GAAP and local GAAP).
• Advanced Excel skills; experience with SAP and financial planning systems (e.g., Hyperion, Essbase, HFM) strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of CAPEX planning, working capital management, and investment evaluation.
• Strategic thinker with strong commercial judgment and the ability to operate in ambiguity.
• Confident influencer with excellent executive communication skills and the ability to challenge constructively.
• Hands‑on leader who balances strategic leadership with operational rigor.
• Adaptable, resilient, and effective in fast‑paced, high‑growth environments.