Business Analyst

Job Description

Business Analyst, BP&A | Retail | IKEA Jebel Ali

Overview of the role

Strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, management reporting, business partnering, financial analysis, investments, feasibilities, automation & regional projects. Moreover, manage approvals, tracking, accounting and reconciliation of capital expenditure, fixed assets and inventory.

What you will do

Business / Financial Planning

• Support and / or manage business / financial planning, including but not limited to strategic planning, budgeting, and quarterly forecasting in coordination with Group / Retail Finance and business stakeholders. Business / Finance planning process include guidelines, timelines, formats / templates, central inputs, analysis, consolidation, reviews, presentation, Anaplan upload, SAP & BPC validation etc.
• Manage fortnightly Cash forecasting in coordination with relevant stakeholders

Management Reporting & Financial Analysis

• Prepare, analyze, and circulate daily, weekly, and monthly management information reports
• Develop new reports and continuous improvement of existing reports
• Support in testing and automation of management information / business intelligence reports
• Variance analysis and initiate corrective actions
• Support with adhoc financial information, analysis, and support for business functions and stores
• Prepare business or management review presentations

Business Partnering

• Participate, support, or lead initiatives / projects to drive business performance and efficiencies
• Proactively communicate key variances, risks and opportunities to relevant stakeholders for corrective actions
• Collaborate with and support business navigation community for performance improvements

Fixed Assets

• Plan, coordinate, procure approval for capital expenditure
• Manage Asset creation, capitalization, transfer, verification, and disposal of Fixed Assets
• Prepare and circulate Capex Tracker / Fixed Assets Register
• Provide samples, analysis, schedules, and information for internal and external audits

Inventory

• Manage inventory posting, reconciliations and alignment across systems
• Carry out regular inventory analysis to support liquidation
• Provide samples, analysis, schedules, and information for internal and external audits

Business Development, Feasibility Studies, Investment Committee, Approvals

• Participate in Market Potential Development Projects, prepare feasibility reports, investment committee presentations and procure approvals for new projects / investments
• Participate or support business development initiatives / projects like gift cards, BNPL etc.
• Support to prepare post completion reviews or evaluations
• Plan and maintain tracker for pre-operative expenses

Skills

Required skills to be successful

• Strong computer skills – including ERP knowledge (preferably SAP, Navision) and advanced MS-Excel knowledge
• Good analytical and presentation skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Financial modelling and problem-solving skills.

What equips you for the role

• MBA / ACA / CFA with 3 years’ experience in above roles preferably in Retail
• Knowledge of MS Excel and accounting software (preferably ERP – SAP and Navision)
• Desirable to have detailed know how of the IKEA concept and working methods
• Planning, organizing, responsible, analytical, critical thinking and interpersonal skills