Finance Manager

The Finance Manager plays a strategic and hands-on role in managing the overall financial health of Christine's Bakery Group — covering all retail outlets, central kitchen, and new brand development. The incumbent is responsible for driving profitability, ensuring financial accuracy, and supporting business growth through timely sales reviews, P&L analysis, and actionable insights.

This role emphasizes continuous improvement, with a focus on sales growth opportunities, cost optimization, wastage control, and inventory system accuracy. The Finance Manager is also expected to conduct regular store visits and financial audits to ensure transparency, compliance, and operational alignment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Planning & Analysis

• Lead the development of budgets, forecasts, and long-term financial plans for all business units.
• Perform P&L analysis by outlet, brand, and channel to identify profitability gaps and improvement areas.
• Translate financial data into clear SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) with actionable recommendations for management.
• Support decision-making with financial modeling and ROI studies for new stores or brand concepts.

2. Timely Sales Review & Business Insights

• Deliver weekly and monthly sales reviews in visual, easy-to-understand formats (charts, dashboards, summaries).
• Highlight performance trends, best sellers, slow movers, and sales drivers for each outlet or brand.
• Collaborate with Operations and Marketing teams to identify sales growth opportunities through pricing, promotions, and product mix.
• Ensure review sessions are engaging and collaborative, encouraging input from all departments.

3. Cost Reduction & Efficiency Improvement

• Analyse key cost components — food cost, labor cost, and overheads — and recommend cost-saving initiatives.
• Identify system gaps or process inefficiencies contributing to wastage or cost leakage.
• Work with Culinary, Procurement, and Operations teams to monitor recipe costing, yield control, and purchase efficiency.
• Establish continuous cost monitoring frameworks to maintain profitability across outlets.

4. System Accuracy & Inventory Management

• Ensure accuracy and integrity of data in POS, accounting, and inventory systems.
• Review stock movement, wastage reports, and variance analysis to detect discrepancies.
• Implement control measures and best practices for inventory management and stock accuracy.
• Partner with the Central Kitchen and Supply Chain teams to ensure timely and accurate stock transfers, consumption records, and cost allocation.

5. Store Visitation & Finance Audit

• Conduct regular store visits to validate financial data against operational realities.
• Review outlet-level cash handling, discount approvals, petty cash, and compliance with SOPs.
• Perform financial audits to ensure transparency, integrity, and compliance with internal controls.
• Provide feedback and corrective action plans to improve store financial discipline.

6. Reporting & Compliance

• Oversee monthly financial closing and ensure timely submission of management reports.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards (MFRS) and statutory regulations.
• Liaise with external auditors, tax authorities, and government agencies.
• Maintain robust internal controls and governance to protect company assets.

7. Business Partnering & Leadership

• Act as a key business partner to the COO and department heads, aligning financial strategies with operational goals.
• Present financial insights during management meetings and strategy sessions.
• Develop and mentor the finance team to enhance analytical, technical, and commercial capabilities.

Key Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or related discipline; ACCA/CPA/CIMA qualification preferred.
• At least 6–8 years of relevant experience in finance, with exposure to F&B or retail multi-outlet operations.
• Strong analytical and presentation skills; able to translate data into business insights.
• Hands-on, proactive, and detail-oriented, with the ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines.
• Familiar with accounting systems, POS integration, and inventory management software.
• Willingness to conduct store visits and work closely with frontline operations.