Head of Finance

About the Role

We are looking for a proactive and commercially savvy Finance Leader to join a reputable organization in the logistics, supply chain, and cold chain sectors based in Dubai, UAE. This role reports directly to executive leadership and demands a strategic business partner who holds comprehensive responsibility for financial governance, operational finance, performance oversight, and regulatory compliance. Successful management will involve balancing long-term financial planning with everyday operational finance controls to ensure sound governance, sustainable growth, and business efficiency.

Note: Only candidates with tangible operational finance experience will be considered; profiles focused on corporate or head-office finance functions will not be suitable.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all financial disciplines including accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, treasury operations, tax management, and audit coordination.
• Ensure prompt preparation and accuracy of financial statements following IFRS standards and local regulations.
• Effectively manage liquidity, cash flow, and working capital to support company growth and daily operations.
• Develop, implement, and refine financial controls, policies, and procedures while optimizing ERP systems and financial reporting tools.
• Provide commercial viewpoints for business decisions, grounding them in solid financial rationale and maintaining independence in judgment.
• Drive the annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning processes.
• Create financial models and conduct business case analyses to facilitate strategic decisions.
• Collaborate with operational departments to uncover cost-saving, margin improvement, and operational efficiencies.
• Assess capital expenditure and expansion initiatives through detailed financial analysis and monitor relevant KPIs.
• Ensure full compliance with UAE VAT, Corporate Tax, and other statutory financial obligations.
• Lead internal and external audit processes and ensure timely resolution of any audit issues.
• Develop and maintain risk management protocols, controls, and mitigation strategies.
• Produce comprehensive management reports, board-level presentations, and financial analytics.
• Manage relationships with banks, auditors, and other external parties, ensuring compliance with lending covenants and reporting requirements.
• Lead and nurture the finance, procurement, and administration teams fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous development.

Leadership Profile

• Trusted financial advisor possessing robust commercial insight and excellent business judgment.
• Maintains balance between governance, risk management, and practical business support functions.
• Effective collaborator with ability to influence senior leadership stakeholders.
• Demonstrates discretion, professionalism, and integrity, especially handling sensitive financial information.
• Exemplifies ethical behavior, accountability, and transparency at all times.

Qualifications and Experience

• Mandatory qualification: Chartered Accountant (CA).
• 8 to 12 years of progressive leadership experience in finance, particularly at mid-to-senior management levels.
• Operational finance expertise in sectors such as Logistics, Third-Party Logistics (3PL), Cold Chain, Supply Chain, Transportation, or Industrial Services.
• Practical, on-ground finance experience rather than corporate/head-office finance roles.
• Thorough knowledge of UAE VAT, Corporate Tax, related regulations, and compliance obligations.
• Preferred skills include experience with FP&A, budgeting, forecasting, and managing P&Ls at business unit level.
• Demonstrated success in cost management, profitability enhancement, and capital investment analysis.
• Familiarity with ERP implementations and business intelligence tools.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams across finance, procurement, and administrative functions.
• Excellent communication abilities and strong stakeholder negotiation and management skills.
• Candidates currently living in Dubai or willing to relocate to the UAE are preferred.
• Background in fast-moving, capital-heavy operational businesses is advantageous.
• Comfortable balancing hands-on management with strategic executive involvement.