Business Analyst-Commercial (FP&A)

Reports to Business Controller (Commercial)

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Business Analyst supports the Commercial Business Controller and business stakeholders by delivering reliable financial planning, reporting, analysis, and decision support.

The role ensures the accuracy and integrity of management information, supports period-end closing, forecasting, and annual planning activities, and translates financial and commercial data into clear, actionable insights. Working closely with Finance, Sales, Marketing, and other cross-functional teams, the Business Analyst helps monitor business performance, identify risks and opportunities, and support sound commercial decision-making.

The role also identifies process gaps and reporting inefficiencies and contributes to practical improvements that strengthen controls, improve data quality, enhance operational effectiveness, and support the company's sustainable and profitable growth.

MAJOR ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Closing and Management Reporting

• Actively participate in period-end closing activities and global and local management reporting, in accordance with the timetable and requirements defined by the Commercial Business Controller.
• Prepare accurate, complete, and timely managerial reports covering actual performance, forecasts, budgets, and relevant commercial and financial KPIs.
• Perform assigned management accounting activities, including accruals, provisions, reclassifications, allocations, reconciliations, and reporting adjustments.
• Review financial results for completeness and accuracy, investigate unusual movements, and coordinate the resolution of reporting or accounting issues.
• Provide clear first-line commentary on actual performance, key variances, business drivers, risks, and opportunities.
• Ensure appropriate supporting documentation and audit trails are maintained for all assigned reporting and closing activities.

Planning, Forecasting and Performance Analysis

• Support the Commercial Business Controller in preparing annual budgets, rolling forecasts, long-range plans, and periodic business performance updates.
• Maintain relevant planning assumptions, reporting structures, financial models, master data, and data models.
• Analyze actual and forecast performance against budget, prior year, prior forecast, and business targets.
• Identify the underlying drivers of volume, revenue, price, mix, margin, cost, and profitability variances, where applicable.
• Support scenario modelling and sensitivity analysis to assess the potential financial impact of commercial decisions, market developments, and changes in business assumptions.
• Understand the financial impact of plan changes initiated by Business Control and ensure that the required adjustments are accurately reflected in planning and reporting tools.
• Monitor emerging risks and opportunities and support the preparation of appropriate mitigation or value-capture actions.

Commercial Decision Support and Business Partnering

• Support the Commercial Business Controller in acting as a finance partner to Sales, Marketing, and other commercial stakeholders.
• Provide financial analysis and fact-based insights to support commercial planning, resource allocation, and operational decision-making.
• Evaluate business proposals, commercial initiatives, investments, and other projects by assessing financial impact, key assumptions, risks, and expected returns.
• Help stakeholders understand financial results and translate complex information into clear and decision-relevant messages.
• Proactively identify performance trends, issues, and opportunities and bring them to the attention of the Commercial Business Controller.
• Respond to ad hoc analytical requests and prepare concise financial summaries and presentations for business reviews and management discussions.
• Constructively challenge data, assumptions, and proposed actions while maintaining collaborative relationships with stakeholders.

Reporting Tools, Data and Systems

• Deliver managerial reports using approved global and local reporting tools, leveraging relevant Centre of Excellence expertise and functional reporting standards.
• Provide functional support for reporting and planning tools, including report navigation, slice-and-dice analysis, data validation, and issue troubleshooting.
• Support the development, testing, implementation, and continuous improvement of global and local reporting and planning tools.
• Translate business reporting needs into clear functional requirements and work with Finance, Digital & Technology, Centers of Excellence, and other relevant teams to develop appropriate solutions.
• Perform checks to ensure the quality, consistency, and reliability of data used in management reports.
• Support the alignment of definitions, reporting logic, hierarchies, and master data across relevant systems and reports.
• Act as a key user for assigned finance systems and reporting tools, where applicable.

Process, Controls and Continuous Improvement

• Ensure that processes and controls within assigned responsibilities are designed and performed in line with HEINEKEN Group policies, internal control requirements, and local operating company standards.
• Apply established process standards, accounting principles, reporting guidelines, and standard operating procedures consistently.
• Identify control gaps, reporting inefficiencies, repetitive activities, and opportunities for automation or process simplification.
• Recommend and support the implementation of practical improvements that increase efficiency, accuracy, transparency, and control effectiveness.
• Track open issues and coordinate with relevant stakeholders to support timely resolution.
• Maintain and regularly update standard operating procedures, process documentation, reporting instructions, and control evidence.
• Ensure service delivery meets agreed service-level agreements, key performance indicators, and reporting deadlines.
• Support internal and external audit requests related to assigned responsibilities.

Team and Cross-Functional Support

• Work collaboratively with Business Control, Reporting and Accounting, Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, Centers of Excellence, and Digital & Technology teams.
• Act as backup for other Business Analysts, including CIL reporting and other assigned reporting activities.
• Share knowledge, reporting guidance, and good practices with colleagues and stakeholders.
• Support finance transformation, system implementation, process improvement, and other cross-functional projects as assigned.
• Perform other related duties assigned by the Commercial Business Controller.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

Internal

• Commercial Business Controller
• Finance Director and Business Control team
• Sales and Marketing teams
• Reporting and Accounting team
• Revenue Management and Supply Chain Finance
• Centers of Excellence and Global Business Services
• Digital & Technology and data teams
• Internal Control and Internal Audit teams

External

• External auditors, where required
• External service providers or system partners, where applicable

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Data Analytics, or a related discipline.
• Approximately 2–5 years of relevant experience in financial planning and analysis, management accounting, business control, commercial finance, reporting, or a related finance role.
• Experience in an FMCG, consumer goods, beverage, retail, or multinational company is preferred.
• Practical experience with period-end closing, budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and management reporting.
• Experience working with commercial functions such as Sales or Marketing is an advantage.
• Professional accounting or finance qualifications, such as CPA, ACCA, or CIMA, are an advantage but not mandatory.

FUNCTIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Sound knowledge of financial accounting, management accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Ability to interpret financial and operational data and translate findings into clear business insights.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Good understanding of internal controls, audit requirements, and financial governance.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including financial modelling and large-data analysis.
• Experience with ERP, consolidation, planning, or business intelligence tools such as SAP, Power BI, Anaplan, Oracle, Hyperion, or equivalent systems is preferred.
• Ability to prepare clear reports, presentations, and management commentary.
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English and Chinese.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and work effectively during peak closing, planning, and forecasting periods.

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES

• Business and commercial understanding
• Analytical thinking and learning agility
• Accuracy and accountability
• Proactive problem-solving
• Constructive challenge
• Stakeholder collaboration
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Clear and concise communication
• Ability to prioritize and deliver under pressure
• High level of integrity and confidentiality