FAIZAL FIRDAUS

Phone: 053 500 1965 | City: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | Email: faizal.hhh@gmail.com | www.linkedin.com/in/faizalfirdaus

FINANCE BUSINESS PARTNER

Finance Professional with over 10 years of experience in analyzing and examining financial data. Experienced across FMCG
companies in manufacturing, trading, marketing, distribution & retailing industries and Big Four accounting firm.
Core competencies include data analysis, budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, strategic planning and decision support.
Proficient in Microsoft Office 365, Oracle, and SAP ERPs. Educational credentials, MBA in Finance and ACMA (UK) certification.
Earned multiple accolades for crafting dynamic dashboards, reports, and presentations crucial for strategic decision making.

WORK EXPERIENCE

GoodyCo. – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Apr 2021 - Present

Multinational Food trading and marketing company based in Saudi Arabia with operations in MENA regions.
Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Manager
Working in FP&A team, Reporting to Head of FP&A and Chief Finance Officer (CFO). Responsible for Management
Reporting, Budgeting, Forecasting, Commercial Finance, Benchmarking and Pricing optimizations
▪ Prepare profit and loss statement for each cycle with high granularity level (year to date & year to go cycles).
▪ Produce regular financial forecasts and analytical reports to top management for strategic decision making.
▪ Conduct scenario analysis to assess the financial impact due to various factors on financial performance.
▪ Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to develop budgets, incorporating sales, marketing, and promos.
▪ Perform regular budgeting and utilization reporting, Propose appropriate corrective actions for variances.
▪ Analyze customer profitability, trade and expiry, Advise sales and marketing on future risks and opportunities.
▪ Oversee costs in sourcing and importing (freight, customs etc.) to benchmark vendors and optimize expenses.
▪ Evaluate financial viability of new products and pricing strategies of existing products to maximize revenue.
▪ Submit accrual entries to accounting in alignment with forecasts, Reconcile all ledgers for month-end closure.
Key Acheivements

❖ Awarded by Managing Director for the construction of one click financial dashboards via excel power query.
❖ Improved operational efficiency of finance systems by implementing streamlined data management designs.
❖ Reduced expiry claims from distributor via negotiating a metrics to split the claims based on set conditions.

Abraj Hyper – Mecca, Saudi Arabia Feb 2019 - Apr 2021

One of the largest Supermarket operating exclusively in Mecca and sister company to Manuel Supermarket.
Senior Financial Analyst
Worked as FP&A lead, Reported to Group Head of Finance and Group CFO. Responsible for Revenue Analysis, Budgeting,
Vendor Performance, Inventory Management and Financial Reporting as per IFRS.
▪ Generated regular financial reports on store-level performance, including key performance indicators (KPIs).
▪ Developed and managed budgets for all departments, integrating sales forecasts and expense projections.
▪ Assisted commercial managers to evaluate performance of suppliers and negotiate for better profitability.
▪ Assessed financial impact of promos and discounts providing insights for various initiatives from sales team.
▪ Prepared SOCI, SOFP & Cashflow statement as per IFRS, Assisted in consolidation of group financial reporting.
▪ Managed cashflow, Availability of fresh stock, Conducted ledger reconciliation and Liaised with auditors.
Key Acheivements

❖ Played an active role in successful implementation of Oracle ERP (data migration, training, UAT and feedback).
❖ Designed infographic SOPs for all operational procedures to reduce wastages and enhance internal controls.
Almarai – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Sep 2016 - Jan 2019
Multinational food and beverage manufacturer, distributor, and world’s largest vertically integrated dairy company.

Financial Analyst
Worked in Manufacturing FP&A team, Reported to FP&A Manager and Divisional Finance Managers. Responsible for
Budgeting, Margin Analysis, Cost Analysis, KPI Reporting, Internal Controls Design, Implementation and Review.
▪ Consolidated and managed budgets prepared by farms, manufacturing plants and Logistics business units.
▪ Examined financials of business units, performed variance analysis, and recommended cost-saving initiatives.
▪ Analyzed product margins, considering raw material costs and production expenses to optimize profitability.
▪ Evaluated efficiency of supply chain considering procurement, transportation, and inventory management.
▪ Implemented inventory policies and procedures, identified weaknesses, and provided recommendations.
▪ Conducted audit reviews to ensure inventory related accounting standards and controls are implemented.
Key Acheivements

❖ Developed a KPI scorecard with detailed financial metrics and ratio analysis to maximize divisional efficiencies.
❖ Revamped on-site review template based on DTT (Deloitte) approach to eliminate internal control weaknesses.

Deloitte – Colombo, Sri Lanka Aug 2013 - Sep 2016

One of the big four (Big 4) accounting firm providing audit, tax, consulting & financial advisory services.
Senior Audit Associate
Worked in Audit and Assurance team, Reported to Audit Supervisor and Audit Manager. Responsible for Audit
Planning, Project Management, Risk Assessments, Client Communication, Documentation and Team Collaboration.

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
• ACMA (Associate Chartered Management Accountant)
issued by: CIMA, UK (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, United Kingdom)

• CGMA® (Certified Global Management Accountant)

Issued by AICPA, USA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, United States of America)

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
• MBA (International Business & Finance) 2018
University of West of Scotland, United Kingdom

• BCS (Information Systems & Software Development) 2015

British Computer Society, Higher Education Qualification, United Kingdom

• Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting 2014

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, United Kingdom

• Advanced Level Examination (Accounting & Commerce) 2014

General Certificate of Examinations, Sri Lanka JOB PURPOSE Unilever is the place where you can bring your purpose to life with the work that you do – creating a better business and a better world. If you are a person who wants to

contribute directly to the company’s financial health, efficiency and long-term sustainable growth then this role is just for you! WHAT WILL YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES BE As a Cost Controller, you will play a pivotal role in our financial management by overseeing and optimizing our cost control systems. Your
responsibility will be to monitor expenditures, analyze financial data, and implement strategies to maximize cost efficiency while maintaining quality standards. WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED Develop Cost Control Procedures: Implement, and maintain robust cost control procedures and policies. Regularly review
and update procedures to adapt to changing business needs. Financial Analysis: Analyze financial data, including budgets, expenditures, and forecasts, to identify trends and variances. Generate comprehensive reports detailing cost breakdowns, trends, and potential areas for improvement. Collaboration and
Communication: Collaborate cross-functionally with departments to understand spending patterns and identify cost-saving opportunities. Communicate findings and recommendations to relevant stakeholders and management. Budget Monitoring and Compliance: Monitor budgets and expenditures, ensuring
adherence to approved budgets and cost control measures. Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with established procedures and regulations. Continuous Improvement: Identify inefficiencies and areas of potential cost reduction without compromising quality or operational effectiveness. Implement
strategies for improving cost efficiency and resource utilization. Month end Closing: Ensure smooth closing of the monthly and yearly factory’s financials Experiences & Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field; CPA/CMA certification preferred. Fresh Graduate/Maximum 1-2 years of
experience in cost control, financial analysis, or related roles. Skills Proficiency in financial software and advanced Excel skills. Strong analytical mindset, attention to detail, and problem-solving abilities. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively across departments Unilever is an
organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At
Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.