Finance Director Canada

Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:

This position is responsible for shaping and steering Canada’s financial strategy through effective planning, forecasting, and analysis. The position requires an analytical leader who not only develops key performance indicators (KPIs) but also drives ad-hoc, short- and long-term planning to ensure that all financial decisions are aligned with both immediate and strategic goals. The role ensures leadership is provided with top notch and highly accurate information and analysis for their business decisions while also takes leading role in preparing Sr. Mgmt presentations.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting

• Strategic Budgeting & Integrated Forecasting: The role oversees the planning and execution of annual and strategic budgeting processes. It consolidates financial planning from all operational groups and manages a reliable & inter-connected monthly and ad-hoc forecasting process in strong collaboration with commercial teams, cost management, marketing finance, and demand planning counterparts.
• KPI Development & Monitoring: It is responsible for establishing and monitoring key KPIs to guide both short-term initiatives and long-term business planning. This analytical rigor supports proactive decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Oversee overall picture to ensure aligned forecast with single owner for financial forecast in connection with demand planning market direction tied to inventory decisions

Analysis, Reporting, and Strategic Insights

• Comprehensive Financial Reporting:analyzes monthly financial results and delivers detailed commentary, ensuring that senior leadership receives insightful and state-of-the-art reporting on financial outcomes.
• Scenario Analysis & Post-Mortems: evaluates business opportunities, projects, and pending decisions to assess their impact on the company’s financial results, preparing post mortems to glean lessons and improve future economic outcomes.

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Team Management: Beyond hands-on financial analysis, the role includes managing FP&A and demand planning teams to ensure optimal alignment and high performance, fostering an environment of continuous professional development and high employee engagement. 
• Cross-Functional Strategy: By facilitating and leading the forecasting process for Canada while aligning tactics with sales, logistics, and other non-brand functions (such as IT, SCM, and sourcing), the role ensures that strategic decisions resonate across the entire organization.

Key Relationships: 

• Site Lead, Canada
• NAM CFO
• VP, NAM FP&A
• VP, NAM Demand Planning
• Canada SLT
• Taxes
• Group Finance

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Strong Foundational Expertise: Advanced training and broad experience provide a solid foundation across core functional areas and related disciplines.
• Comprehensive Domain Knowledge: Deep expertise in one’s own area combined with broad, cross-functional insights enhances overall strategic understanding.
• Effective Communication: Outstanding ability to present complex information clearly and respond to high-level inquiries from senior executives, stakeholders, and cross-functional leaders.
• Analytical Rigor: Skilled at defining problems, gathering and synthesizing data, drawing valid conclusions, and implementing effective action plans.
• Strategic and Innovative Thinking: Capable of translating complex data into innovative solutions through strategic, tactical, and operational planning—including scenario planning and investment case analysis.
• Proven Business Partnership: Demonstrated history of adding value through trusted, influential relationships with Commercial Leadership Teams, supported by strong business acumen and analytics.
• Leadership and Team Development: Adept at coaching, motivating, and managing teams—both direct reports and extended teams—ensuring high performance and continuous development.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Committed to working closely with senior finance leadership and navigating complex international matrix environments with limited direct authority.
• Adaptability and Resilience: Exhibits flexibility, pragmatism, and a growth mindset, adapting swiftly to changing circumstances and maintaining a solution-focused approach.
• Exceptional Project and Presentation Skills: Strong organizational and presentation abilities help influence decision-making at all levels of the organization.

Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:

• 7-10 years of broad based operational finance experience with progressive responsibility industry leading companies.
• Minimum of 3-5 years successfully leading, managing, and developing a team 
• University degree in Finance, Accounting or Business; MBA and/or CA preferred;  Solid accounting skills and experience
• Advanced Excel & Power Point skills required
• Familiarity with SAP and other relevant adidas and industry Finance systems/analytical software preferred
• Language skills: fluent in English spoken and written