FP&A NAM Manager (GFS Americas)

Role Purpose

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines for some of the world's most serious diseases. But we're more than one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we're proud to have a unique workplace culture that inspires innovation and collaboration. Here, employees are empowered to express diverse perspectives and are made to feel valued, energized and rewarded for their ideas and creativity.

Global Financial Services (GFS) was formed in Q3 2018 through the merger of Global Finance Operations, Integrated Finance Solutions and Cash Generation.  GFS is at the heart of the Finance function - accountable to the AstraZeneca (AZ) Group for the design and delivery of high quality, simple to operate transactional finance processes that enable our customers to focus on AZ’s strategic priorities.  

The creation of the Global Financial Services (GFS) centers in Warsaw (Poland), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and San José (Costa Rica) transformed the AZ Middle Office to a central function, supporting the business regions through simplification, standardization across the globe, and a structure that is scalable to support the AZ bold ambition.

We have exciting opportunities to join our GFS Center in San José, which will establish best practices and be responsible for providing support to embedded finance and internal sub teams.

Role Profile

As a FP&A Manager you will be leading a team of analysts to operate monthly financial MEC analysis and reporting, perform and report the planning cycles, and develop and improve those same processes over time. You will be required to coordinate and analyze data from a variety of sources and must acquire business acumen to generate deep analysis and provide information to support business decisions. Moreover, stakeholder management is essential to ensure customers are receiving deliverables not only at expected quality but also with added value.

Your core deliverables will include:

As a FP&A Manager, you will be leading a team of 2 to 10 analysts approximately to provide support to financial activities. You will play an essential role in supporting the FP&A Associate Director in the delivery of the team, organizational objectives and direct communications with stakeholders in the market.  This includes to lead the team, building knowledge, people development, manage risk and driving the culture within GFS. 

You will be the subject matter expert and point of escalation for not only the market stakeholders but also your direct team for who you will be supporting them in their day-to-day activities and personal development. You may be required to use your expertise to lead or contribute to special projects across GFS with other Directors or Managers.

Line management:

• Responsibility for managing and motivating a team of 2-10 Business Analysts, ensuring that the team delivers to the highest standard of customer service whilst adhering to global process and all relevant financial controls.
• Provide adequate stakeholder management, and lead the broader FP&A team as part of the FP&A Leadership Team
• Management and allocation of resource across the Business Analyst team.
• Building excellent working knowledge of customer requirements and business drivers which are shared and understood by your team of Business Analysts.
• Coaching, development of staff and performance conversations will be key to drive people development.
• To build and maintain a strong relationship with our customers, CFOs, and Business Partners.
• Support internal transitions.
• BCP in place for each unit.
• Drive standardization, new ways of working and process improvement through initiatives or projects.
• Endorse GFS culture across organizations.

Ensure that your team is:

• Providing robust, accurate and quality month end financial information to business teams.
• Challenging and delivering forecast, to ensure these are based on market assumptions across the business areas.
• Delivering adequate financial input & analysis to support individuals and teams to make effective business decisions.
• Ensuring all SOX/FCF controls are operated effectively with no fails. No fails through Management or external controls testing with auditors.
• Unit KPIs and customer feedback in green.
• Delivering Global Standardization and internal projects. 
• Providing updated & standard documentation for all processes and for BCP purposes.

Key Responsibilities

• Support month-end financial reporting and analysis activities and related deliverables in a timely an accurate manner, including initial commentary and business insight.
• Validate P&L figures prior to sign off in close coordination with the Controlling team.
• Support the planning cycle processes (budgeting/forecasting) as required, according to internal guidelines and reported timely and accurately.
• Analyze complex financial information for trends, issues and opportunities and create action-oriented reporting to assist the Commercial Team understanding business results and trends.
• Analyze current, past, and future trends and scenarios for some or all P&L sections: revenue (sales trends, COGS, PVV & margin/profitability analysis, gross to net) and expenses (cost centers, brand allocation, variance analysis). 
• Actively participate in initiatives for process improvement and standardization across the different business areas.
• Lead the broader FP&A organization as part of the FP&A Leadership Team.
• Build effective relationships with business partners (Back Office, Embedded Finance, and GFS team) and deliver excellent customer service.
• Ad hoc projects may be assigned as needed.
• People management and development.
• Endorse GFS culture across organizations.

Essential Criteria

• Qualified finance professional: Bachelor, Licentiate (Licenciatura) or Master Degree. Degree level will be taking into consideration for job offer.
• 6+ years of relevant experience as Financial Planning & Analysis Manager and People Manager experience.
• Use of general Microsoft Office and financial systems for planning and reporting.
• Ability to work well in and across diverse global teams and under pressure.
• English language proficiency, both verbal and written, with the confidence to express clear opinions and the ability to explain financial issues to non-financial management.
• Knowledge of accounting fundamentals (e.g., GAAP, P&L, BS, CAPEX, accruals, cost centers).
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (pivot tables, complex formulas, ability to work with large databases).

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in the pharmaceutical or retail industry considered a plus.
• Proficiency in the usage of SAP, Anaplan, Smart View/Hyperion Financial Management.
• Cross boundary experience including building relationships remotely and cross-culturally.
• Experience in handling transition from a market or region to a centralized team
• Proficiency in the usage of Power BI and power query.
• Visa and passport.

Competences and Others

• People Development
• Integrity
• Culture Adaptability
• Change Management
• Ability to manage several deliverables at the same time and prioritize
• Entrepreneurial
• Risk Taker
• Challenge (say no)/ Speak up
• Influence - communication
• Strong analytical capabilities
• Highest standards of accuracy and precision for reporting and analysis
• Attention to detail
• Highly organized
• Resilience
• Uncertainty management
• Self-driven
• Self-confident
• Positive attitude
• Capacity to work under pressure
• Customer focus and results-oriented
• Ability to think creatively
• Teamwork and ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams
• Schedule flexibility
• Good interpersonal relationships skills
• Proactive attitude
• Curiosity to find solutions and challenge the status quo
• Willingness to help others

Other Role Requirements

• Schedule flexibility to work on holidays when necessary.
• Flexibility and Ability to travel and work in another AZ facilities outside the country when necessary.
• Schedule flexibility to work on the days off given by the wellness Policy when necessary (Política de Bienestar).

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.