NA Regional Finance Leader, Ingredients
NA Regional Finance Leader, Ingredients
At IFF, an industry leader in food, beverage, health, biosciences, and sensorial experiences, science, and creativity meet to create essential solutions for a better world – from global icons to unexpected innovations and experiences. With the beauty of art and the precision of science, we are an international collective of thinkers who partner with customers to bring scents, tastes, experiences, ingredients, and solutions for products the world craves. Together, we will do better for people and the planet.
Ingredients is the larger Segment in IFF, with over $3B in sales and 5 Business Segments. We are very excited to welcome a new Regional Finance Leader, Ingredients to our team, and we hope it’s you!
You will be part of the Ingredients Business Finance team, where we help our organization to take better, timely and data-driven decisions – through insightful reporting, in-depth analysis, business acumen and process improvement - making our BU´s and company more successful.
As a Regional Finance Leader, you will be responsible for overseeing all financial operations within the designated region. This role requires a strong focus on business partnering to support regional commercial teams and other cross-functional teams, such as innovation, marketing, and product management, to drive business growth and profitability. You will act as a business partner and performance advisor for the NA Regional Ingredients Leader and will represent the main liaison of the regional Ingredients team with the larger finance community, including the rest of the Ingredients Business Finance team but also the entire Controllership, Tax and Treasury organizations.
The main focus will be in areas such as but not limited to financial planning, commercial analysis, pricing design and execution, budgeting, forecasting, working capital analysis and optimization, in a way that contributes to the improvement of business performance, execution of business strategy and company´s results overall. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional analytical and business partnering skills, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the food ingredients industry.
You will need to develop a thorough understanding of our financial reporting systems and of each Business Units specific dynamics. You will need the ability to have a holistic view, whilst understanding the most appropriate level of detail needed for the different types of financial analysis.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT. Monitor and analyze regional financial performance, identifying areas of improvement and implementing corrective actions as needed. Develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) to track and measure financial and operational performance across the region. Foster a strong culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and high performance.
- FINANCIAL PLANNING AND ANALYSIS. Conduct detailed financial analysis and provide insights to senior management on regional performance, trends, and opportunities. Prepare and present monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, highlighting key financial metrics and business drivers. Oversee regional financial operations, including accounting, treasury, and tax, ensuring accuracy and completeness of financial records for Ingredients. Support regional audits and work closely with internal and external auditors to ensure compliance with financial reporting standards and regulations.
- BUSINESS PARTNERING. Collaborate with innovation, marketing, and product management teams to evaluate new product opportunities, pricing strategies, and market expansion plans. Provide financial support and analysis for innovation projects, ensuring alignment with overall business strategy and financial objectives. Support product management teams in developing business cases for new product launches, ensuring alignment with market demand and financial targets. Support the development and execution of commercial strategies, providing financial insights to optimize decision-making and resource allocation.
- STAKEHOLDERS MANAGEMENT- Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including regional leadership, commercial teams, and corporate finance. Communicate financial performance and insights effectively to both financial and non-financial stakeholders, fostering a shared understanding of business goals and challenges. Serve as a trusted advisor to senior management, providing financial expertise and strategic guidance to support decision-making.
QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES:
- EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA or professional accounting qualification (CIMA, CPA, etc.) is a plus.
- EXPERIENCE: 10+ years of progressive finance experience, preferably in an international environment in a medium to large-sized company, ideally within a manufacturing or food ingredients company.
- Strong financial acumen with expertise in financial planning, analysis, and business partnering.
- Strong drive for results, customer-focused. Effective team player.
- Proven experience in supporting commercial teams and driving business growth through financial insights and strategies.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
- High proficiency in financial modeling, forecasting, and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, ERP systems, BI tools).
- Languages: fluent written and spoken English is a must.
- Analytical skills: analyzing the historical data, finding patterns, understanding financial impact, being able to identify key drivers and trends without getting lost in the details
Location: New Century. Flexibility to combine on-site and remote work.
At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to providing a diverse and inclusive workplace. Visit IFF.com/careers to learn more about our Equality Policy.
We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.
Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more
