About this Role
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Location: Middle East
Industry: Retail & Distribution (Grocery / FMCG)
The Opportunity
A leading regional retail and distribution business is seeking a Chief Financial Officer to play a pivotal role in driving financial performance, strengthening operational discipline, and enabling sustainable growth.
Operating within a complex and fast-evolving environment, the organization is entering a phase that requires enhanced financial leadership, improved visibility, and scalable infrastructure to support its continued expansion.
The CFO will act as a strategic partner to the CEO and executive leadership team, contributing directly to business decisions, performance improvement, and long-term value creation.
Role Purpose
The Chief Financial Officer will be responsible for leading the financial strategy, optimizing performance, and building a robust finance function that supports both operational excellence and future growth.
This role requires a balance of strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and hands-on execution, with a strong focus on driving measurable business outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Partner closely with the CEO and leadership team to shape and execute business strategy
- Provide forward-looking financial insights to support decision-making
- Act as a key advisor on growth, investment, and risk management
Performance & Value Creation
- Drive initiatives to improve profitability, cost efficiency, and overall financial performance
- Strengthen cash flow management and working capital discipline
- Identify opportunities for operational improvement and margin enhancement
Financial Transformation
- Enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and scalability of the finance function
- Improve financial reporting, planning, and forecasting capabilities
- Lead the optimization of financial systems, processes, and controls, including ERP environments
Commercial Finance & Business Partnering
- Collaborate with operational teams to support data-driven decision-making
- Provide insight into product, category, and channel performance
- Support pricing, promotions, and supplier strategies with financial rigor
Governance & Compliance
- Ensure strong financial governance, controls, and compliance frameworks
- Oversee regulatory and tax requirements in line with regional standards
- Maintain transparency and accuracy in financial reporting
Leadership & Team Development
- Build, lead, and develop a high-performing finance team
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration
- Strengthen team capability to support a growing and evolving business
Candidate Profile
Experience
- Proven experience in a senior finance leadership role
- Background in retail, FMCG, or distribution environments, ideally within complex, multi-entity operations
- Strong preference for candidates with European (particularly UK or Western European) experience, bringing exposure to structured, mature finance environments and best-in-class retail practices
- Demonstrated success in driving financial performance, transformation, and process improvement
- Experience operating within regional or international business structures
Capabilities
- Strong commercial mindset, with the ability to translate financial data into actionable insights
- Ability to operate both strategically and at a detailed execution level
- Experience working with ERP systems and financial transformation initiatives
- Confident in influencing senior stakeholders and driving change
Personal Attributes
- High level of integrity, discretion, and professional judgment
- Resilient and adaptable in dynamic environments
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Able to operate effectively within entrepreneurial or owner-led organizations
Why This Role
- Opportunity to influence enterprise-wide strategy and performance
- Exposure to a complex, multi-dimensional business environment
- Platform to lead both transformation and growth initiatives
- High visibility role with direct access to senior leadership
Process
This is a confidential search.
Further details will be shared with shortlisted candidates.
