The SVP Finance - GMS is based at Zoetis’ International Headquarters in Dublin, Ireland. 

The Role

Business Objectives & Key Accountabilities

The SVP Finance – GMS (Global Manufacturing & Supply) is a key member both of the Finance Leadership Team and of the Global Manufacturing & Supply (GMS) Leadership Team. As the Business Partner to the President for GMS, s/he is responsible for the design and execution of the financial management strategy for the global manufacturing & supply chain operations and actively contributes to the development of the organisation’s strategic goals. In addition to the strategic components, the SVP leads the preparation of the operating budgets, forecasts and reviews of actual performance and is responsible for providing financial direction, driving financial performance and compliance through collaboration and partnership with all key stakeholders including day to day oversight of site finance support. The SVP Finance -GMS has 5 direct reports and oversees a team of approximately 80 people in total.   

The main priorities for the role include:

• Acting as a strategic and analytical thought partner to the President of Global Manufacturing & Supply by advising him and other key members of senior management on financial planning, budgeting, cash flow, investment priorities, improvement opportunities and policy matters with the ultimate objective of achieving sustainable financial goals.
• Defining the vision and purpose for the Manufacturing Finance organisation by devising the financial strategies before taking full ownership for their flawless execution, for the function (and the individual sites) to consistently meet its financial goals paying the highest attention to proper governance, productivity and operating standards. 
• Building state-of-the-art financial operations processes & systems, upgrading and implementing an appropriate system of policies, internal controls, accounting standards and procedures in support of the function’s business imperatives, acting as a true enabler of ambitious objectives with reliable supply and customer satisfaction as the top priority.   
• Serving as an engaged member of the Finance Leadership Team, maintain continuous communication with the CFO and key peers (including the SVP Corporate Finance, Finance Lead US, Finance Lead International, Global Head of Tax and Treasurer, SVP Global Risk and Finance Excellence (Transformation Leader) Chief Audit Executive, Chief Accounting Officer), ensuring others are informed on all critical issues; and actively contributing to and driving forward the evolution of the Finance structure and strategy through “Finance Forward”. 
• Actively focusing on the people dimension of the organisation by leading and inspiring a best-in-class lean, competent and efficient Manufacturing financial organisation, attracting, retaining and developing talent in pursuit of excellence.

Candidate Profile

Experience

Holding a relevant university degree, preferably combined with a CPA qualification and/or an MBA, the ideal candidate will bring a minimum of 15 years’ experience in international leadership roles within the Financial function at a large with a strong focus in Manufacturing & Supply Chain Finance including markup accounting, consolidation and financial planning & analysis. With strong knowledge of accounting and financial systems/processes, they will have a proven ability to translate business strategies into financial concepts and be proficient in US GAAP.  In terms of sector, s/he will ideally have experience in the healthcare industry at large and be familiar with the specificities of this industry, particularly as they relate to long innovation cycles, strict quality and compliance regulations, and a highly complex supply chain. Either an experienced CFO in a small- to mid-sized company or a Divisional/Regional Head of Finance in a larger organisation, s/he will have demonstrated experience in multi-national companies (ideally publicly-listed).

Experienced in managing competent, high-performing, diverse, remotely-located teams, s/he will have a track-record of success in leading the financial function towards ambitious goals, successfully interacting with the most senior levels of management. Thanks to a superior business understanding, s/he will be able to “see the big picture” facing the business and connect the dots between Finance and all other functions, playing an active part in defining strategy as a valued member of both the Finance LT and the Global Manufacturing & Supply LT. Additionally s/he will be instrumental in developing leaders for succession to senior levels within Finance to ensure the continuity and growth of the organization. 

With superior credibility gained from a impeccable track-record, s/he will have experience in managing relations with a wide diversity of stakeholders, both internal and external.  Structured and analytical, s/he will be familiar with state-of-the-art systems and processes that exist in large corporations (ideally HFM and SAP) while also having shown her/his ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial and growth-oriented environment such as Zoetis, displaying a high degree of resourcefulness and natural leadership.  

Competencies

Qualified candidates for this important position will need to demonstrate the following critical competencies:

• Strategic Orientation as demonstrated by an awareness of the “big picture” facing the biotechnology industry in a broad range of issues; and the ability to develop forward-thinking plans to address these and shape the environments favourably.  Able to spot previously unidentified opportunities and to distinguish between primary and secondary issues.

• Results Orientation as illustrated by an ability to instil a sense of pace and urgency into their organisation; being a self-starter and self-motivated individual who moves fast and decisively in all circumstances and is able to “roll-up her/his sleeves”; an ability to track performance against measurable metrics; the ambition to constantly propose new development opportunities in support of Zoetis’ performance.

• Collaboration & Influence as evidenced by a track-record of building and maintaining effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders; an ability to manage internal relationships and to work effectively across functions and geographies, building consensus even in tense situations; comfortable and experienced in working in matrixed environments.

• Team Leadership as indicated by a track record of effectively leading performance-focused teams of highly-skilled individuals, collectively accountable for meeting agreed objectives; focus on performance management and talent development; manages by influence rather than authority; has the experience of building on existing excellence and attracting talent from the outside.

Personal Characteristics

Likely at mid-career, the ideal candidate will be a self-starter with a high degree of energy, independence, initiative and self-motivation, combined with a superior inclination towards delivering results. With a true commitment to the healthcare industry at large and a genuine interest in the animal health sector, s/he will have the style and personality to join a dynamic and successful organisation where speed, empowerment and reactivity are of the essence.

Displaying impeccable presentation and communication skills, s/he will have a sterling reputation and an unassailable integrity on the market.  An inspiring natural leader with a mature personality, s/he will have the credibility and gravitas to interact with the most senior levels of any organisation, in particular with members of Zoetis’ most senior management.  

From a relational perspective, s/he will possess robust interpersonal skills and have a natural inclination for teamwork. Displaying wisdom and a low-ego, s/he will have a special talent in managing transversal relationships with peers in a constructive and truly business-enabling manner. Displaying the courage to stand behind her/his positions, s/he will be willing to act as a sparring-partner to the President of Global Manufacturing & Supply and be able to challenge others’ opinions in an appropriate manner for the collective good. Thanks to a superior commercial acumen and business understanding, combined with strong personal credibility, s/he will be able to rapidly become a strong contributor to the Company’s success, helping to shape Zoetis’ strategy well beyond her/his own remit.   

Perfect command of English is a pre-requisite, knowledge of other languages would be an asset.

Significant travel may be required.

Any unsolicited resumes sent to Zoetis from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Zoetis mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Zoetis employees, or to Zoetis resume database will be considered Zoetis property. Zoetis will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.

Zoetis will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.