Business Service Manager

Asahi Super Dry, Pilsner Urquell, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Grolsch, Kozel, Ursus, Dreher, Tyskie, Birell, Frisco or Kingswood

These are just a few of our iconic brands. Our newly established in-house business unit in Prague will support our international markets, and anyone joining us will have a significant impact in optimizing finance operations. Read on to learn more about the role and discover how you can shape your career with us in an inclusive and diverse environment. 

Purpose of the role:

The Business Services Manager - Italian Cluster leads the delivery of Accounting Services across the Italian cluster, ensuring efficient, compliant, and high-quality finance operations in line with agreed KPIs and business objectives. Working closely with the ABS Finance Director and in-market stakeholders, the role oversees financial reporting, governance, audits, credit, and financial risk management while leading and developing a high-performing finance team to drive operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the day-to-day delivery of finance operations for assigned market(s), ensuring accurate and timely execution of accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial reporting, and other core finance services.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to the Finance Business Services team, setting clear objectives and fostering a high-performance, continuous improvement culture.
• Drive operational excellence by identifying process improvement opportunities, standardizing procedures, implementing best practices, and monitoring performance through SLAs and KPIs.
• Partner with in-market Finance Directors, senior leadership, and key stakeholders to deliver high-quality finance services and support strategic business objectives.
• Lead the annual budgeting, forecasting, balance sheet, and cash flow planning processes for the serviced market(s), providing financial analysis and actionable insights to support decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with local statutory, tax, IFRS, local GAAP, and Group reporting requirements by maintaining robust accounting policies, financial reporting frameworks, and finance processes, including SAP.
• Oversee the preparation of annual financial statements and manage relationships with external auditors to ensure successful audit outcomes.
• Maintain a strong internal control environment by implementing and monitoring finance process controls in line with corporate governance requirements (e.g., J-SOX).
• Authorize customer credit limits within delegated authority in accordance with the company Credit Policy.
• Lead workforce planning, talent development, performance management, and succession planning to build a capable, engaged, and future-ready finance team.
• Stay informed of industry trends and collaborate with IT and cross-functional teams to implement new systems, technologies, and process enhancements that improve finance operations and service quality.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related discipline.
• Professional accounting qualification such as ACCA, CIMA, CPA, CMA, or an equivalent local certification (mandatory).
• Minimum of 10 years' experience in finance and accounting, with at least 5 years leading teams or managing operations within a Shared Services or Business Services environment.
• Proven track record of driving process improvements, operational excellence, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience leading change and transformation projects, including process reengineering, technology implementations, and organizational change.
• Business professional proficiency in English and Italian
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and overall IT skills; experience with SAP and finance automation tools such as BlackLine (or equivalent) is highly desirable.
• Strong financial acumen with a deep understanding of financial accounting principles, budgeting, forecasting, balance sheet management, and cash flow.
• Demonstrated leadership and people management skills, with the ability to coach, develop, and motivate high-performing teams.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to identify optimization opportunities, standardize processes, and deliver operational improvements.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships across all organizational levels.
• Strong knowledge of statutory accounting, tax regulations, IFRS, local GAAP, internal controls, and corporate governance requirements.
• Valid Category B driving licence.

Benefits:

Enjoy additional perks with our benefits package (specific to the Czech Republic):

• 5 weeks of vacation + 3 additional days for regeneration (flexi days). 

• 2 paid days per year for volunteering activities. 

• Customized home office - 40:60 rule with the possibility of individual arrangement. 

• Flexible and reduced working hours - work 7.5 hours per day. 

• Annual bonuses

• Pension savings contribution, or long-term investment product - 20,400 CZK annually. 

• Cafeteria benefit system - selection from a wide range of options (health, sports, culture, travel, and other areas). 
• Car Allowance

• Meal allowance - 105 CZK daily directly to your salary.

• Vouchers for company products - 4800 CZK annually  

• Lyra wellbeing assistance program for help in unexpected life situations (law, finance, psychology, health, and personal wellbeing). 
• Growth Possibility

• Comprehensive education and development system ( Udemy platform etc)
• Exclusive Beer Ambassador Experience - Opportunity to visit the historic Plzeňský Prazdroj brewery and deepen your knowledge of Czech brewing traditions.
•  And others, such as Employee Assistance Program, uLékaře.cz, Kosik.cz, DameJidlo and others

Join our team and uncover even more exciting perks that make Asahi Europe &International an exceptional place to work.

Company overview
Asahi Europe & International is part of Asahi Group Holdings, a global beer, spirits, soft drinks, and food group with leading positions in European and Asia-Pacific markets, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Japan. As of November 2020, Asahi Europe & International Group runs 19 production facilities in 8 countries across Europe and is the custodian of some of the best beer brands in the world, including Asahi Super Dry, Pilsner Urquell, Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Grolsch and Kozel. Within the Asahi Group, the remit of Asahi Europe and International is also to develop and manage all export markets globally, outside of Japan and Oceania. Covering 90 markets and with over 10,000 passionate colleagues on board, the business is well positioned to inspire people around the world to drink better.

Asahi Europe and International (asahiinternational.com)

Functional overview

ABS encompass a broad range of financial activities designed to support businesses in their day-to-day financial operations, long-term planning, and compliance with regulations. These services are crucial for maintaining financial health, making informed decisions, and achieving the overall financial objectives of the organization. The key outputs of ABS are to provide accounting services including the summarizing and reporting of financial transactions of a business, preparing financial statements, managing accounts payable and receivable, and ensuring compliance with relevant accounting standards and regulations. ABS is also responsible to adhere to multi-jurisdiction financial regulations and reporting requirements, including ensuring compliance with these regulations and ensure accurate and timely reporting to relevant authorities. In addition to this, ABS is to use effectively use financial software and systems to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and enhance data security.

We are committed to nurturing a workplace where we celebrate and respect difference, and support everyone to be true to who they are! At Asahi Europe and International we believe you can SHINE AS YOU ARE - no matter your age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or beliefs. We want to support you to be courageous in your individuality and to know that whoever you are and whatever your circumstances, you can belong with us without having to conform.