Regional Finance Director, Americas Supply & Operations

Play a role in powering AstraZeneca and helping all of us to fulfil our ambitions. As valued partners across the enterprise, we provide the platform for excellence and performance to happen. We draw on our network of diverse minds, harnessing our unique views and ideas to improve how we run. It means every day we power ourselves and others to focus on important and impactful work.

Reporting to the VP Finance Operations & IT, you will be the lead Finance resource for Americas Supply Operations. Partnering with the the SVP America’s Supply Operations and his leadership team you will be providing the financial input, guidance and challenge to shape the business strategies and develop the operational plans. This is an exciting time with significant investment underway across the manufacturing network.

You will lead the Regional Finance function, providing strategic leadership, direction, and people management to a high-performing team of finance professionals based within the region. A key elment of your role will be to drive efficiencies and implement consistent ways of working with other teams and across geographies . You will also work with the peer community to ensure that global solutions and consistent ways of working are applied wherever possible.   

This role is viewed by the customer as the lead Finance expert in Americas Supply region for Operations, being a key member on both the Regional Americas Leadership & Global Operations Finance Management Teams.  You will be leading members of a global network of Finance Business Partners  and Business Analysts, sharing best practice, ensuring strong financial compliance and delivering valued support to the Business with global consistency and efficiency.

• Business size : 8 factories (5 in the US, 1 in Puerto Rico, 1 in Brazil, 1 in Mexico)
• Financial dimensions: Operational costs c $775m; Capex $500m; 2,000 people; 7 direct reports.

Typical Accountabilities

Business Strategy & Decision Support

• Contribute to strategy development for Americas Supply by shaping strategies and developing business and operational plans.  Generate innovative ideas based on synthesis of qualitative and quantitative information.  Decisions to be supported in both value and impact include: capital spend evaluation, productivity, strategic change program business case development, sourcing/network strategies and capacity decisions, resource allocation, commercial and/or procurement decisions, etc.
• Provide financial input to shape strategies and develop business and operational plans. Lead Finance role in review and development of short & long-term strategy.  Maintain an up-to-date understanding of all developments which may affect Americas Supply options and assessing business impact.
• Support Corporate and Operations initiatives including Sustainability and Productivity.
• Ensure strong Financial Compliance with group accounting policies working closely with internal and external (PwC) partners.
• Act as CFO for iPR (AZ’s Puerto Rico Manufacturing legal entity).

Business Performance

• Joint accountability with the business for the accuracy of forecasts and leveraging sound understanding of the business model and financial drivers to challenge and influence the key cost drivers.
• In partnership with the Regional Senior Vice President, Americas Supply, manage the region’s P&L and Balance Sheet (including Capital and Inventory) as appropriate.
• Ensure team provides reliable operational and financial forecasts ensuring resources are allocated to maximize value
• Lead the financial planning cycle for Americas Supply, setting stretch but attainable performance targets and incentives, aligned to leading benchmarks, strategy and operational plans. 
• Partner with GFS (Global Financial Services) to provide accurate reporting and ensure timely flow of information to Americas Supply. Highlight sensitivities and risks.
• Proactively drive efficiencies including seeking cross functional process solutions
• Lead finance and cross-functional teams and drive initiatives to improve the business.
• Direct preparation of all presentations for key business and finance review meetings.  Liaise with GFS to provide accurate data.
• Through best practice stakeholder management techniques, explore needs with internal customers and utilize this information to improve business results leveraging significant commercial and business acumen.

Continuous Improvement, Governance and Coaching

• Coach, develop and lead a team of Business Partners and Business Analysts across the regional site network to excellent performance. Drive teams to focus more on decision support activities and less on routine components of Business Performance Management. Develop the professional capability of the finance team and financial understanding on non-finance managers.
• Coach business team members on finance planning and business cases. Coach both direct and indirect (GFS) finance team members to understand needs of the business customer.
• Initiate changes to improve working practices and processes in Finance and communicate these amongst the Finance Network.  Drive digital and AI efforts to optimize delivery of Finance processes & standard AZ Finance Operating Model.
• Lead Finance role in communicating governance and compliance standards and statutory regulations to non-specialist in a way that is understandable and relevant and relays the risk of commercial decisions effectively.
• Lead insightful and proactive risk management processes to ensure the organisation’s regulations, rules and process are adhered to; highlighting areas of concern.

Essential skills and experience

• Qualified finance professional operating at senior levels in the organisation.
• Qualified to degree level in a relevant subject area with a professional financial qualification.
• At least 10 years experience of leading a finance team and working within a global organisation.
• Significant experience of senior finance management, business partnering and control roles.
• Experience of working in a global pharmaceutical organisation/ complex supply chains.
• Rigorous and analytical thinking. Experience developing business cases and use of decision support tools and coaching others in their development and use.
• Ability to apply governance, risk and compliance components.
• Excellent commercial knowledge of the business area and local financial environment.
• Impact and Influence/Collaborative Partnering.
• Organisational Awareness – demonstrates knowledge of corporate business context.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, including oral and written.
• Working across boundaries with Centres of Excellence and remote teams.

AstraZeneca is driven by solutions that make an impact at every step of the patient journey. We thrive on energy and pace, always pushing forward with a winning mentality. Our inclusive team draws on a diverse group of backgrounds to come up with innovative solutions. Here you will find countless opportunities to develop and grow while contributing to life-saving medicines.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now!

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $204,000 to $305,000. However, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.  In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program. Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Date Posted

Closing Date

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.