Head of Finance, East Asia Pacific

Role Overview

The Senior Finance Director for East Asia Pacific (EAP) serves as the principal finance partner to the EAP Managing Director and leadership team, accountable for comprehensive financial strategy, performance monitoring, and governance across a diverse and multi-country region including Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, North Asia, and distributor markets.

This position supports various business formats such as retail, wholesale, franchises, and eCommerce, playing a pivotal role in guiding strategic initiatives, optimizing investment choices, and fostering consistent growth in revenue and operating profit while ensuring strict financial discipline and regulatory compliance.

As a key leadership role, it demands strong commercial insight, executive presence, and agility within a fast-evolving, matrixed regional structure.

Responsibilities

• Act as the main financial advisor to the EAP Managing Director and leadership, influencing crucial commercial and investment decisions.
• Collaborate closely with functions including Commercial, Sales, Merchandising, Planning, Marketing, and Supply Chain to develop and implement the Strategic Business Plan.
• Deliver forward-looking financial insights and scenario analysis balancing growth prospects, risk mitigation, and value creation.
• Lead the Annual Financial Plan, Strategic Business Plan, budgeting, and forecasting processes for the entire EAP region.
• Conduct detailed financial analyses covering revenues, margins, expenditures, and working capital to guide business decisions.
• Manage monthly business reviews and sales and operations planning, translating financial data into practical business initiatives.
• Evaluate capital investment proposals such as new stores and technology expansions to ensure strong return on investment.
• Oversee inventory control, budgeting for open-to-buy, and alignment with financial profiling.
• Supervise cash flow forecasts, optimize working capital, and oversee treasury activities to enhance cash efficiency.
• Ensure financial reporting integrity in adherence to US GAAP, local standards, and SOX compliance.
• Co-manage accounting close processes regional-wide to meet global deadlines and standards.
• Handle tax, statutory reports, audits, and represent EAP legal entities where needed.
• Lead and grow a high-performing finance team across all EAP markets, establishing effective structure, competencies, and succession planning aligned with global objectives.
• Mentor finance leaders, fostering a strong commercial and enterprise mindset.
• Direct functional areas including FP&A, Controlling, Accounting, Tax, Treasury, AP/AR, Procurement, and Sales Audit.
• Oversee financial results of retail, wholesale, franchising, and eCommerce channels across multiple countries and distributors.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related discipline; MBA or professional credentials like CPA, CIMA, or CA preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of ascending experience in finance, including senior leadership within regional roles in retail, FMCG, or consumer goods sectors.
• Expertise in financial planning & analysis, profit and loss responsibility, and commercial finance within multinational matrix organizations.
• Proven ability managing financially diverse markets and various business models.
• Successful track record in leading large, distributed finance teams and grooming future leaders.
• Deep knowledge of financial planning, analysis, accounting standards including US GAAP and local GAAP, controls, and reporting.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and familiarity with SAP and financial planning tools such as Hyperion, Essbase, or HFM.
• Strong understanding of capital expenditure planning, working capital, and investment appraisals.
• Strategic mindset with excellent commercial judgment and capability to work through ambiguity.
• Effective communication skills at executive levels and ability to challenge constructively.
• Leadership style that balances strategic focus with operational detail orientation.
• Adaptable and resilient, thriving in high-paced, growing environments.

Location and Employment

Based in Singapore, this is a full-time onsite role.