Chemical client needs regional finance chief
The chemical industry has had a tremendous track record of business expansion in recent years and one of the world's largest producers in the sector - with manufacturing operations in 21 countries and sales in more than 120 - is looking for a regional head of finance responsible for finance and international trade.
'Our client has about eight sales offices or entities in Asia-Pacific. Recently the Hong Kong regional office moved to a high-end office in the centre of a commercial and shopping area,' said Dilys Lam, Gemini Personnel senior consultant for executive search and selection.
This senior position will involve supervising 10 regional team members with overall responsibility for the accounting and finance areas, including financial reporting, business analysis, budgetary planning and control, taxation monitoring and credit management. Ms Lam said the compensation package was not the key appealing element, but that the role would be exciting for the right person.
The new head would report to the regional senior vice-president. The incumbent would wield influence in a company that last year had sales revenue of US$1 billion in Asia-Pacific.
'Maintaining a continuous business growth in Asia-Pacific will be a challenge for the candidate,' Ms Lam said.
The ideal candidates are qualified accountants with at least 10 years of practical experience gained from a multinational company.
They will have diverse regional experience and will be well-versed in international trade, documentation and banking.
'This post is suitable for candidates keen to interact with sales and business leaders to further develop the company.
'This role is not simply a straightforward finance manager position,' Ms Lam said.
Duties will include developing, managing and controlling trading guidelines, and ensuring proper and transparent documentation of trade guidelines, commission structure and trade finance rules.
The incumbent will focus on enhancing and advancing processes, procedures and measures to improve the international trade operations.
The successful candidate must also ensure that appropriate management information is available to support management decisions.
This is a team leader role where it will be necessary to build collaboration and a coherent culture in the company, and ensure a smooth interface with departments and among the 50 staff members in the Hong Kong office.
'We also seek someone who is keen to work in a matrix set-up, in a remote reporting environment,' Ms Lam said.
She added that the candidate would both report to and receive reports from many people spread over different working locations throughout the world.
