Job Purpose:
Financial Planning Manager is responsible for driving the financial planning and analysis (FP&A) function to support strategic decision making within the grocery retail business. This role involves budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and performance analysis to ensure profitability, cost efficiency, and financial sustainability.
Key Accountabilities:
1. Financial Planning & Forecasting
• Develop and manage the annual budget and rolling forecasts in alignment with business objectives.
• Provide financial insights to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Analyze financial performance against budgets, forecasts, and historical data to identify trends, risks and opportunities.
• Prepare detailed variance analysis reports for senior management.
• Lead and participate in the automation of the financial analysis reports through the collaboration with the IT division to ensure
efficiency, timely and accuracy of the financial reports and financial data.
2. Performance Analysis
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and analyze financial trends to identify risks and opportunities.
• Prepare variance analysis and provide recommendations for cost optimization.
• Prepare financial ratios analysis to assess liquidity, profitability and operational efficiency.
3. Strategic Decision Support:
• Develop financial models to evaluate new business initiatives (e.g. store expansion, new investment opportunity).
• Assess ROI for capital expenditures and operational investments.
4. Compliance and Reporting:
• Prepare the board of directors' presentations and prepare summary of the financial performance and forecasts.
• Ensure adherence to accounting standards (GAAP/IFRS) and internal financial policies.
• Oversee the preparation of financial reports for stakeholders.
5. Retailer Benchmark & Analysis:
• Monitor grocery retailers' performance and analyze the results.
• Translate benchmarking insights into actionable recommendations to improve cost structures, pricing and operational performance.
• Analyze the impact of external factors (e.g. inflation, supply chain disruptions) on financial plans.
6. Team Leadership:
Manage and mentor financial analysts and oversee workload distribution and professional development of team members.
Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in finance.
• Master's degree in finance is highly preferred.
• Professional qualification (e.g. CMA, CFA, CPA) is highly preferred.
Experience
• 5-7 years of FP&A experience in grocery retail and FMCG.
Key Competencies
• Strong proficiency in financial modelling, excel and ERP systems.
Human Capital - OD - JD
• Excellent presentation and PowerPoint skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem solving and communication skills.
• Strong analytical skills with data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau).
• Ability to influence and collaborate across multiple teams.
• Experience in handling large datasets and BI tools for reporting.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Knowledge of retail metrics (e.g. inventory turnover, shrinkage, sales intensity).
Panda was founded in 1978 as one of the most important organizations in the retail sector in Saudi Arabia. In 1994, Panda merged with Azizia Company then in late 1998 Azizia Panda United was acquired by Savola Group, one of the largest diversified conglomerates in MENA region, Azizia Panda United became the retail sector of Savola and started its journey to become the leading food retailer in the region. In 2008, This acquisition has aided Panda in its growth and expansion by having the largest market share in the Saudi retail sector. The first new format of Hypermarket was opened in Riyadh city in 2004. In 2006, Panda moved forward with its regional expansion by opening its first store in Dubai. In 2008, more numbers of stores were operating under the name of Panda when Savola Group acquired “Giant” supermarkets in Saudi Arabia and merged them with Panda. One year later in 2009, Panda has landed another great success by acquiring all Geant stores in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In 2014 the company name was changed from Azizia Panda United to the Panda Retail Company. And another big step in the expansion plan was achieved when Panda opened it hypermarket in Egypt in the year of 2015. These big steps have raised Panda share in the retail sector from 7% to more than 8%. Today Panda is the largest food retailer in the Middle East owns more than 400 branch of panda Super, Panda Hyper and Pandati in Saudi Arabia & Egypt making it the largest retail company that offering its services to more than 400 million visitors annually.