Head of Finance Italy

Meaningful Work From Day One

This role is first and foremost a leadership role integral to the B-F Italy & Alps Leadership team. The key responsibility as a team member is to be a steward of the organization culture, driving a unified purpose across the commercial and marketing organizations by being an active and collaborative member of the Leadership Team. Pivotal to this role is the ability to inspire, motivate, empower and develop our teams and beyond.

Secondary to this, you will be leading, directing, developing and administering the financial activities of Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Malta, with the local Finance and Accounting team (dotted). As a key member of the Finance Team for the Region, providing analytical support, advice, counsel and leadership on key business issues to the General Manager and the leadership teams of the individual markets. This includes strategy, revenue growth management, business planning, forecasting, financial controls, business processes, information systems and distribution structures. Take ownership of the financial strategies, reporting and analysis for the cluster. Partner with the regional/divisional functions to oversee the whole range of accounting, tax, treasury, and financial issues related to various distribution models within the cluster.

This role will also be responsible for Financial Strategy and Planning to support profitable business growth, financial statements, budgets and projections, financial analysis, capital expenditures and administrative functions. Leading the local Accounting Team (dotted) responsible for process and execution of credit control, accounts receivable and accounts payable functions as well as proper month, quarter and year end closing procedures. Ensuring the team provides analytical support and analysis for commercial and brand operations including decision support, sales insights, pricing, logistics and supply chain issues.

This position requires approximately 10% of time traveling. This is an office/hybrid role with 3 days a week in the office. Internally this role will be called Senior Finance Manager.

What You Can Expect

As a key member of the Leadership team, provides input and leadership to influence company’s strategic direction, business and portfolio strategies, special projects as necessary, and reports agreed-upon metrics to team and stakeholders.

Team Management & Development

Provides strong leadership and direction to local/country Finance and Accounting teams (direct and indirect reports).

Acts as a role model of B-F values and culture.

Leads a diverse and inclusive culture where different perspectives are encouraged and individuals feel connected and valued.

Builds and develops bench strength to fuel Brown-Forman regionally and globally with ready talent.

In collaboration with HR department, identify the organizational capability gaps and addresses them through appropriate learning and development programs.

Supports team development by providing opportunities and coaching to the team with on-going appreciative & constructive feedback.

Strategic Planning

Serves as the key advisor to the General Manager and the leadership teams of the individual markets by analyzing and interpreting business results & trends, and recommending strategic initiatives to drive growth in revenue, reduce costs, and grow profit.

Identifies opportunities for sales and profit improvement and leads development of long-term strategic plans.

Develops and drives the analysis to support the long-range planning process with regional leadership through the development of comprehensive financial models and a strategic roadmap of “how to achieve the goals”.

Participates in and formalizes short and long range planning in areas of possible growth, expansion and new profit opportunities.

Financial Analysis & Operation Effectiveness

Identifies opportunities to improve overall operational efficiencies (process improvement, automation)

Establishes procedures and systems necessary for concise, accurate, periodic financial reports on a timely basis on Italy & Alps results and financial position.

Appraises the cluster’s financial position and issues periodic financial and operating reports.

Prepares financial analysis, capital budgeting requests and provides analytical support to market businesses.

Partners with the regional/divisional functions to oversee the whole range of accounting, tax, treasury, and financial issues related to various distribution models within the cluster.

Budget and Forecast

Issues accurate financial forecasts on the current state of the business measured against the on-going business updates with BF regional/divisional leadership on a timely basis along with the appropriate qualitative / quantitative analysis and recommendations.

Oversees the planning and forecasting processes and interpretation and presentation of such information.

Internal Controls

Ensures all appropriate financial controls and legal/regulatory requirements are properly followed.

Works with Accounting, Credit and Transactions (ACT) to develop/localize policies and procedures for the establishment and maintenance of proper internal controls surrounding financial results, including compliance with corporate policies.

Works with IT and Business Intelligence teams to develop management reporting and analytical tools to control the business as well as improve efficiency in all areas of the commercial business.

Revenue Management

Assesses the B-F value chain in order to identify opportunities that optimizes Brown-Forman’s value creation.

Utilizes the most relevant data and analytical tools to develop insights into drivers of brand volume growth (price elasticity measure, impact of brand expense investment, competitive behaviors) through statistical modeling as well as descriptive analytics.

Leads and champions the development of revenue management capabilities throughout the regional finance organization.

Communication and Influencing

Delivers complex financial information / insights in a clear and concise manner which is understandable to non-finance individuals.

Influences the organization to implement insights derived through strong analytical rigor.

Clearly articulates finances role within the organization and the strategic direction of the finance organization.

What You Bring to the Table

Demonstrable experience as a finance leader

Significant experience in an international FMCG group dealing with retail.

Fluent English in both spoken and written.

Great analytical skills, commercially savvy and solution focused to solving problems.

Excellent presentation skills and translating financial information in a clear, concise and visually ppealing way.

Self-starter with proven ability to identify issues and projects, plan and prioritize with demonstrated ability to organize and manage multiple projects to completion by specific deadlines.

Superior communication skills (influencing, listening, presentations, written).

What Makes You Unique

Fluent Italian is an added advantage.

Reputable financial/accounting designations such as Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Experience with long-range planning models.

Experience in pricing and promotional analysis, particularly in spirits environment.

Familiar working in a multinational matrix organized company.

Who We Are

We believe great people build great brands. And we know there is Nothing Better in the Market than a career at Brown-Forman. Being a part of Brown-Forman means you will grow both personally and professionally. You will have the opportunity to solve problems, seize opportunities, and generate bold ideas. You will belong to a place where teamwork matters and where you are encouraged to bring your best self to work.

Many Spirits, One Brown‑Forman- We believe that an inclusive culture, one that values the diversity and unique perspective of each individual, allows us each to bring our best self to work and leads to greater teamwork, creativity, and trust.

Cultivating a Caring Culture- We know that our strong culture is one of the many reasons people love working at Brown‑Forman.

Nothing Better- At Brown‑Forman, we craft products known for bringing people together. Our employees have made us what we are today and are the reason for our success. Do not just take our word for it. Brown‑Forman is consistently recognized as a Great Place to Work® in countries around the world.

What We Offer

Total Rewards at Brown-Forman is designed to engage our people to ensure sustainable and profitable growth for generations to come. As a premium spirits company, we offer equitable pay structures for individual and company performance alongside premium employee experience. We offer a range of premium benefits that reflect our company values and meet the needs of our diverse workforce.

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Brown-Forman Corporation is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment. It is the policy of Brown-Forman Corporation to provide full and equal employment opportunities to all employees and potential employees without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, veteran status, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status.

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