Finance Director - Group Inventory Accounting

Cambridge, England, United Kingdom

12/16/2024

Job Title: Finance Director - Group Inventory Accounting

Location: Central Cambridge

At AstraZeneca, we work together across global boundaries to make an impact and find answers to challenges. We do this with the utmost integrity even in the most difficult situations because we are committed to doing the right thing.

AstraZeneca is a global, innovation-driven biopharmaceutical business that focuses on the discovery, development and commercialisation of prescription medicines for some of the world's most serious diseases. But we're more than one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. At AstraZeneca, we're proud to have a unique workplace culture that inspires innovation and collaboration. Here, employees are empowered to express diverse perspectives - and are made to feel valued, energised and rewarded for their ideas and creativity.

Introduction to role

This role offers an excellent introduction to the finance organization at AstraZeneca, requiring a strong internal network to be established quickly. Reporting to the VP of Finance Group Financial Reporting, you will lead a small specialist team responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the Provision for Unrealised Profit in Stock (PURP) calculation using the Global Value Chain tool. You will ensure global processes and data inputs operate efficiently with minimal errors. The work is varied, the environment dynamic and unpredictable, and the opportunities for personal development are exceptional.

Accountabilities

• Group management and oversight of PURP working closely with relevant R2R and GFS teams, including the review of key schedules and reconciliations, investigation of differences, and communication with stakeholders.
• Influence and work effectively with non-finance groups whose processes are key to the accuracy and quality in the monthly PURP process, driving reduction in errors in underlying transactions
• Support Finance Director Group Consolidation and Corporate Functions in the month-end close process – this may include ad-hoc review/analysis and/or BAU activities. Designing/maintaining the control framework including the reconciliation of statutory to management results for inventory and COGS.
• Designing, documenting, and maintaining the E2E processes in SAP for the calculation of PURP.
• Building a structure whereby business units become accountable for their PURP number, and the underlying inputs.
• Influencing wider usage of GVC beyond PURP (championing it as a trusted data source and insightful supply chain tool).
• GVC system owner and owning system development initiatives.
• Lead the monthly feedback and performance reporting process with GFS.
• Lead role in managing matters with external auditor on both key SoX controls and substantive testing throughout the year to ensure a successful year-end audit.
• Assist with activity relating to the SOx reporting timetable to ensure all key deadlines are met/work performed.
• Advise on reporting treatment and provide other practical support as required by reporting units.
• Support GFR’s consolidation continual improvement process, automation, sharing best practice amongst.
  
  
  

Essential Skills/Experience

• Qualified accountant with active membership
• Significant experience in a complex group consolidation environment
• Understanding of consolidation mechanics and systems/tools including Hyperion and SAP
• Experience in reporting under IFRS
• Proven leadership and coaching skills
• Experience with financial control and SOx frameworks
• Proven delivery in a large, complex multinational organisation with significant manufacturing operations knowledge and experience in accounting for complex supply chains
• Focuses On Delivery – applies experience and expertise to ensure objectives are met even when under pressure.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making – able to identify, analyse and offer other solutions to complex problems.
• Leadership & Development –Motivates, inspires and acts as a leader amongst your team, process stream and your peers.
• Influence- Ability to influence, negotiate, and gain buy-in with key stakeholders
  
  
  

Desirable Skills/Experience

• Experience/understanding of the pharmaceutical industry
  
  
  

When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.

Join a talented global team that's powering AstraZeneca to better serve patients every day. Integrated and closely aligned with the whole enterprise, we leverage exciting new technology and digital innovations to accelerate AstraZeneca's evolution. Our entrepreneurial spirit keeps us ahead of the rest as we apply creativity to every task, taking smart risks to turn ideas into reality. With countless opportunities available, this is the place to build an unrivalled reputation while being rewarded for your successes.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now!