Opportunities in Middle East

The client is seeking a Chief Financial Officer for its operations within the transport and logistics sector in Egypt. This role is based in Alexandria and offered on an expatriate contract. The position involves driving the company's financial strategy, including budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning. Core responsibilities include leading financial operations such as accounting, treasury, tax, internal controls, and reporting, as well as optimizing cash flow and capital structure. The role also requires partnering with operational and commercial teams to enhance profitability and cost efficiency while ensuring compliance with local and international standards.

The CFO will assess investment opportunities, focusing on new assets, fleet expansion, and infrastructure projects. Additionally, they will be responsible for strengthening financial systems, managing relationships with financial institutions and regulatory entities, and developing a high-performing finance team. Cultivating a culture of excellence and accountability is a key expectation for this role. The client seeks a candidate who can lead financial strategy and operations effectively, fostering collaboration across various teams.

The ideal candidate will hold a degree in Finance or Accounting, with an MBA or recognized professional qualification such as CPA, ACCA, or CMA preferred. A minimum of 12-15 years of progressive financial leadership experience is required, including at least five years in a CFO or Finance Director role. Candidates must have a proven track record within the transport, shipping, maritime, or logistics industries, with expertise in asset-heavy operations and international trade. Fluency in English is mandatory, and proficiency in Arabic is advantageous.

The role of Head of People and Culture (HPC) is integral to the client's mission of nurturing just, inclusive, and sustainable societies across various continents. Reporting directly to the CEO, the HPC is a key member of the Core Leadership Team and bears collective responsibility for guiding strategic and functional human resource management. This position requires overseeing a global team of People and Culture Managers and collaborating with other organizational leaders to shape strategy, uphold a positive organizational culture, and ensure effective service and operations. The role is pivotal in integrating and advancing a global people and culture strategy that prioritizes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), people management, and safeguarding practices.

The primary objective for the HPC is to craft and implement a comprehensive people and culture strategy to support the client's overarching Strategic Compass. This involves harmonizing or establishing standards and policies to foster a cohesive organizational culture and improve human resource services across all regions. The HPC is responsible for advising the CEO and the leadership team on culture change, talent attraction, organizational development, leadership, and global HR policies. Close collaboration with People and Culture Managers is essential to foster an inclusive workplace environment. An important facet of the role is the oversight of safeguarding practices, ensuring the design, implementation, and continual monitoring of safeguarding procedures, documentation, and training initiatives for staff and Safeguarding Focal Points.

The Site Director plays a crucial role in setting the clients objectives and establishing strategic plans that align with overall success and improvement. This position involves actively participating in the executive committee to ensure coordination and cooperation for the effective implementation and follow-up of initiatives. The Site Director develops strategies that optimize productivity, reduce costs, and improve operational efficiency across all departments, with a particular focus on the production unit. Additionally, they set objectives for the plant, approve policies and procedures for technical departments, and contribute to general policy formation when necessary.

In their role, the Site Director oversees the operational aspects of all technical departments, which includes production planning, machine and equipment utilization, and the preparation of reports and analyses comparing monthly technical performance against budgetary goals. They are responsible for promoting a culture of continuous improvement, mitigating risks, and driving the on-time completion of operations initiatives. Coordination with department managers ensures that manufacturing objectives are met in a timely and cost-effective manner. Supporting the Quality Management System, the Site Director is engaged in internal audits, quality improvements, and root cause analysis to address deviations and implement corrective actions.

Furthermore, the Site Director sets up key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor departmental progress and performance while ensuring the appropriate selection and evaluation of suppliers and service providers. They play a significant role in procuring machines and equipment, compiling new Drug Registration Files, and managing deficiency letters to achieve successful registrations. Additionally, the Site Director provides feedback to direct reports to enhance performance and motivates personnel through targeted training plans. Their leadership fosters an environment conducive to performance improvement and capability development.