Assia B.

Experience

• 

  Arthur Andersen

  Oct 1992 - Dec 1994

  Financial Auditor

  Financial Audit /Statutory Audit /SOP/ Management Consulting

• 

  Eli Lilly

  Jan 1995 - Jan 2000

  Finance Manager

  Setting up a structure to support all finance, accounting, planning, and administration for a Morocco, Tunisia , Algeria and French Speaking African Countries ( in Ivory Coast)

• 

  Knorr Bestfoods

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2002

  Finance Manager

  Successful Interim Managing Director , key member of integration team with Unilever , successfully managed the transition to Unilever . ( no business interruption)

• 

  Meditelecom

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2003

  Finance Director

  Active participation to long term debt renegotiation and long term debt conversion

• 

  Avon Cosmetics

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2007

  Finance Manager

  Due diligence for Egypt Partner and active member of buying back negotiation , Setting up a Avon Finance organisation in Morocco and in Egypt in line with company's group processes

• 

  GSK

  Jul 2007 - Jun 2011

  Finance Director North Africa

  Major Responsibilities:I led financial operations and strategic planning for North Africa, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives and driving profitability. I managed budgeting and forecasting to enhance financial performance and sustain growth. By overseeing compliance with local and international regulations, I mitigated risks and strengthened financial governance. I also implemented financial controls, streamlined processes for efficiency, and collaborated with cross-functional teams to support business initiatives and optimize resource allocation.Key Deliverables:* Managed financial operations for a €250 million portfolio across multiple countries, ensuring fiscal accountability and growth.* Led a team of 220 employees to drive seamless financial and distribution processes, optimizing operational efficiency.* Developed and executed strategic financial initiatives that enhanced profit margins and strengthened market positioning. Show less

• 

  MSD

  Jul 2011 - now

  Annual Revenue: €250 Million | 220 Employees | Distribution of Veterinary Pharmaceutical ProductsMajor Responsibilities:As Finance Director, I lead financial operations and strategic planning, serving as a key business partner within the Animal Health Division. I oversee a team of three and collaborate closely with Human Health France and Shared Services teams across Europe. I implement pricing and discount procedures, ensuring compliance with global finance standards while optimizing pricing structures to accelerate sales discussions. By introducing gross-to-net sales principles, I have improved net sales margins by eliminating ineffective discounts. Additionally, I support the integration of animal technology tools to enhance livestock welfare and production monitoring.Key Deliverables:* Secured a 'Green' rating on the 2020 Internal Control audit by implementing structured procedures and fostering cross-functional collaboration.* Increased sales margin by 5+ points through development of optimized pricing structures and enhanced procedural efficiencies.* Designed and deployed monthly dashboards to streamline travel and expense tracking, providing actionable insights that improved profit center performance.* Drove a 5% increase in net margins by strategically optimizing product profitability, resulting in a balanced approach to sales and cost management.* Managed the development and deployment of business dashboards using Spotfire and Power BI, enhancing decision-making for the Executive Committee and sales managers. Show less Major Responsibilities:I led strategic financial operations for the Gulf markets, reporting directly to the Euram Regional Executive CFO. I oversaw management control, accounting, financial planning and analysis, logistics, and customer service to optimize financial activities across the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman. As a key Compliance Committee member, I conducted quarterly internal audits, achieving a green audit in 2016. I spearheaded an information system upgrade from JDE to SAP and implemented demand planning automation using Salesforce CRM. Additionally, I facilitated change management by adopting lean methodologies and outsourcing transactional activities.Key Deliverables:* Minimized expiry levels and write-offs by implementing targeted Kaizen initiatives, driving operational efficiency and cost savings.* Improved debt collection by 8% and reduced Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) by one month through enhanced receivables management strategies.* Led a successful transition to SAP, streamlining business processes, improving data accuracy, and enhancing system efficiency.* Achieved a successful Green Audit in 2016 by spearheading quarterly internal audits and strengthening cross-departmental compliance.* Spearheaded supply chain improvements through Kaizen workshops, leading to decreased expiries and enhanced debt collection rates by 8%. Show less Major Responsibilities:I served as a key financial representative, working closely with the Regional Finance Director for Africa and the Middle East while managing all financial operations. As the primary contact for tax and general audits, I ensured compliance and accuracy in financial reporting. I collaborated with the local management team to strengthen business partnerships and support strategic decisions. Additionally, I developed risk management strategies to maintain financial stability and compliance, while implementing efficient financial systems to streamline operations and enhance oversight.Key Deliverables:* Successfully outsourced a diverse product portfolio to two partners in Morocco, achieving a 13% reduction in fixed costs and improving operating margin by 2 basis points.* Initiated third-party promotion deals across Morocco, Tunisia, and FWA markets, leading to a 17% cost reduction.* Executed a business development project that integrated extended product offerings, boosting net turnover by over 25% while optimizing resources.* Innovated process improvements by integrating JDE capabilities and establishing an automated payment system, significantly reducing workload complexities. Show less

  • Finance Director - France Animal Health Division

    Nov 2018 - now

  • Regional Finance Director, Gulf Markets

    Jul 2015 - Nov 2018

  • Finance Director French Africa

    Jul 2011 - Jun 2015