Our client is a British multinational automobile manufacturer which produces luxury vehicles and sport utility vehicles. They are looking for a Profit Planning Analyst to be responsible for periodic planning & reporting, to be delivered through proper partnering with the relevant stakeholders in the MENA regional office as well as the Overseas Finance Team. This is a temporary contract for a 7 month duration to be based in the Dubai Regional Office in Dubai Silicon Oasis, and reporting to the Control & Finance Planning Manager

Role Profile

The Opportunity The Profit Planning Analyst is responsible for periodic planning & reporting, to be delivered through proper partnering with the relevant stakeholders in the MENA regional office as well as the Overseas Finance Team.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities

Budgeting & Forecasting:

• Manage the end-to-end process of the budget and forecast cycles required for both Vehicle and after sales business of the MENA region.
• Robustly and appropriately challenge inputs based on analysis and business knowledge to drive accuracy for each forecast and budget cycle.
• Ensure the compilation of all data is obtained on a timely basis and the required internal and corporate reporting timelines are met with deliverables & completed on a timely basis, with sufficient time for senior review. Ensure appropriate level of commentary and explanations are provided.

Reporting:

• Responsible for compiling the monthly variance analysis of actuals compared to most recent forecast/budget cycle & perform detailed vehicle sales analysis to understand how the actual sales have driven variance in revenue and profit to expectation.
• Completion of required local management and corporate reporting packs with appropriate and adequate commentary of variances.
• Responsible for periodical & Ad-Hoc forecasting, with the relevant operational analysis and identification of the R&Os.
• Accountable for budgetary control and ensuring that expenditure is not over-spent compared to approved budget levels.
• Regular review of approved Purchase Orders in SAP along with the accounting team in determining unutilized approved spend for analysis and discussion around potential redeployment if appropriate.
• Undertake any other work as directed by their line manager in connection with their job as may be requested from time to time.

Key Interactions

• Cross functional within MENA Regional Office
• Overseas Regional finance team

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential:

• Education: Bachelors in business administration or equivalent as a minimum
• Experience:
  • Previous experience working on budgets & forecasting at a multinational corporation.
  • Microsoft Office heavy user preferred especially good at Excel & PowerPoint.
• Skills:
  • High level of Business Acumen and analytical skills.
  • Team player, experience working with cross functional teams & regional / head office central functions.
  • Good analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Able to work under pressure

Desirable:

• Automotive experience.
• Working with retailer / importers.

Personal Profile:

• Great communications skills: verbal, written & presentations
• Ability to build relationships & see/negotiate win-win solutions
• Ability to travel, flexible working time with out of hours work requirements
• Ability to multitask & effectively prioritise workloads