Senior Finance Analyst

Job description / Role

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United A"rab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group's entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organisation to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate.

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day.

Overview of the role

The person is responsible for supporting the BP&A Manager in the execution of all M&S MENA finance activities, which includes financial planning, reporting, investment analysis, business partnering as well as ensuring that shared service performs their accounting requirements adequately.

What you will do

HR Financial Management and Analysis
- Responsible for supporting the annual manpower budgeting and the quarterly forecasting process through reporting and data analysis
- Ongoing monitoring of the headcount and manpower cost spend against the benchmarks and other efficiency measures (Budget, Forecast, etc.)
- Partner with key stakeholders within the business to develop an accurate and clear methodology to track total employee cost
- Be the main point of contact for all people analytics within the business
- Monthly Sales incentive calculations

Month End Activities
- Work closely with the shared service finance team to ensure accurate accounting during month and year end

Reporting
- Regular operational and financial performance reports to relevant stakeholders
- Weekly Finance report preparation for Huddle
- Monthly MBR reporting preparation

Strategic Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis
- Support preparation of the strategic plan, annual budget and quarterly forecasts in coordination with relevant internal and external stakeholders
- Support Finance Manager to produce business cases and investment analysis for key business decision

Finance administration
- PO review and approvals
- Petty cash management
- Insurance submissions

Business Partnering
- Business Partner to other departments within Marks & Spencer on any required topics

Required Skills to be successful
- Advance system proficiency, MS Office, Excel
- Knowledge of accounting software packages, preferably ERP such as SAP and BPC.
- Familiarity with Anaplan platform for financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes, with the ability to build and maintain models and workflows.
- Advanced proficiency in financial modelling, valuation techniques, and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, PowerPoint, Power BI, Tableau).

What equips you for the role
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, or related field; MBA or CMA/CFA preferred.
- Minimum of 2 to 3 years of experience in financial planning and analysis, preferably within the retail industry.
- Familiarity with MENA and SEA markets, regulatory requirements, and cultural nuances is advantageous.

We're here to provide excellent service but a little help from you can ensure a five-star candidate experience from start to finish.

About the Company

Established in the 1930's, the Al-Futtaim Group initially operated as a trading enterprise. Rapid development throughout the 1940's and 50's saw it establish itself regionally as an integrated commercial, industrial and services organisation, positioning itself one of the leading business houses in the lower Gulf region. Today, it operates collectively over 40 companies bearing the Al-Futtaim name, dominates many market segments in the UAE, and has expanded its sphere of operation to include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Egypt.

The Group comprises a diverse range of strategically positioned operating subsidiaries and associate companies, structured to give the Al-Futtaim Group the flexibility and versatility to keep ahead of local competition while keeping pace with the ever-evolving global business scenario. The Groups continued investment in world-class systems technology is clear evidence of its commitment to maintain leading edge performance and service delivery.

The success of the Al-Futtaim Group can be attributed to a business approach that combines the ability to change with the traditional values of integrity, service and social responsibility that define its core business philosophy. This, linked with the Groups belief in decentralisation, gives the heads of the operating companies a high degree of functional autonomy and authority, providing the Group with essential flexibility, and individual employees a clearly defined work culture and sense of responsibility.