CP Commercial Finance Lead UKI & BNL

Company Description

Syngenta Crop Protection is a leader in agricultural innovation, bringing breakthrough technologies and solutions that enable farmers to grow productively and sustainably. We offer a leading portfolio of crop protection solutions for plant and soil health, as well as digital solutions that transform the decision-making capabilities of farmers. Our 17,900 employees serve to advance agriculture in more than 90 countries around the world. Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, and is part of the Syngenta Group.  

Our employees reflect the diversity of our customers, the markets where we operate and the communities which we serve. No matter what your position, you will have a vital role in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet. Join us and help shape the future of agriculture.  

Job Description

We are looking for a CP Commercial Finance Lead UKI & BNL to be a trusted business partner to our the Head of Finance West and support both UK/Ireland and BeNeLux Leadership Team, providing financial guidance and leadership within UK/Ireland & BeNeLux, collaborating with cross-functional teams, effectively communicating complex financial information and driving business growth through data-driven insights.  

The role ensures financial stewardship of the business while driving simplifications, digitalization and data-driven decisions. 

What you'll do:

• Business Partnering 

•  Partner with cross-functional teams to provide financial insights and analysis to support decision-making and drive business performance  

•  Support Head of Finance with the evaluation of commercial opportunities, business model innovation (e.g., GTMs), and transformation initiatives through robust financial analysis and scenario planning. 

• Identify, influence and implement process improvements and best practices that could impact cross-functional teams to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of financial operations. 

• Planning & Performance Management 

•  Deliver Sales / GP E2E performance insights 

•  Own the end-to-end forecasting and budgeting processes: develop and maintain financial models, challenges business assumptions and stakeholders, provide clear analysis and commentary, and take hands-on responsibility for submitting LP and Budget figures in Syngenta´s dedicated systems and interfaces. 

•  Monitor and analyze key financial metrics and performance indicators (e.g., monthly sales delivery tracking, customer / grower profitability trends), providing recommendations for improvement and areas of opportunities through accurate reporting, advanced analytics, and forward-looking insights.  

• Commercial & Financial Performance 

•  Lead the preparation and presentation of financial reports, including variance analysis and commentary to senior leadership and stakeholders, included but not limited to Pre-SOP & SOP and preparation of BPR. 
•  Collaborate with Sales and Commercial Excellence & Customer Strategy team to develop pricing strategies, assess rebates management, deep-dive into GTM models and commercial terms, and analyze the financial impact of new product launches or other commercial / pricing initiatives. 

• Support the analysis of trade-off decisions aimed at prioritizing resource allocation to ensure optimal returns on commercial / portfolio investment. 

•  Stay up-to-date on industry trends and market conditions to inform financial strategies and decision-making.  

• Cash, Working Capital & Risk Management 

•  Support the cash generation, working capital optimization, and balance sheet performance.  

•  Contribute to the commercial decisions and overall business performance through analysis of customer terms, inventory trends, credit exposure and commercial policies 

• Controllership & Governance 

•  Ensure the integrity of financial reporting, compliance with IFRS, internal controls, corporate policies, and delegated authority frameworks.  

•  Maintain strong governance over accruals, rebates, inventory depreciation, revenue recognition, and investment approvals.  

• Leadership & Transformation 

•  Strengthen finance business partnering capabilities and enhance financial acumen across commercial and functional leadership teams. 

•  Drive continuous improvement through simplification, automation, process standardization, and data quality enhancement.  

•  Champion advanced analytics, digital finance capabilities, forecasting tools, and AI-enabled decision support solutions to improve business insight, productivity, and decision quality. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration or related discipline. 

• MBA, CPA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent professional qualification preferred. 

• 8+ years of experience in commercial finance, preferably in the agricultural industry. 

• Proven track record in business partnering, financial planning & analysis, commercial finance and performance management. Working knowledge of IFRS accounting standards, particularly revenue recognition, accruals and provisions. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work with cross-functional teams and present financial information to senior management. 

• Strong leadership attributes with the ability to influence without authority and capability to support in times of finance transformation.

• Proficiency in digital and analytical tools, including AI-powered solutions, SAC (SAP Analytics Cloud), and SAP 

• Fluent English required. Dutch is a plus.  

Additional Information

There's a preference for this role to be based in Cambridge, but other locations within the UK can be considered.

Syngenta’s site at Cambridge is the location for the commercial operations of Syngenta's Crop Protection, Seeds, Flowers and Lawn & Garden businesses in the UK and Ireland. Activities include sales, marketing, technical support, customer support, HR, Finance and administration functions.   

What we offer 

• Extensive benefits package including a generous pension scheme, bonus scheme, private medical & life insurance.   

• Add info on hybrid working options if available for role  

• Flexible working, dependent on role requirements   

• Up to 31.5 days annual holiday.  

• We offer a position which contributes to valuable and impactful work in a stimulating and international environment.     

• Learning culture and wide range of training options.