Chief Finance Officer - #46533

Founded in Brussels in 1829, Delvaux is the oldest fine leather goods house in the world, crafting and designing without interruption in its workshops since then. As such, Delvaux is a pioneer. Delvaux’s oldest workshop is located at l’Arsenal, its Belgian headquarters, where its artisanal expertise is meticulously preserved. Two additional workshops in France continue to drive innovation and excellence in the creation of Delvaux’s exceptional pieces. Delvaux is the inventor of the modern handbag, having filed the first-ever leather handbag patent in the world for le “Princesse” in 1908. Among its extremely rich archive of over 3,000 designs, Delvaux’s emblematic creations include The Brillant (1958), The Tempête (1967), The Pin (1972), The Cool Box (2018) and The Lingot (2022). Steeped in emblematic addresses around the world, from Paris to London, New York, Milan, Tokyo, Seoul or Beijing, all 60 Delvaux boutiques are different. Official purveyor to the Royal Court of Belgium since 1883, Delvaux has always shared and celebrated Belgian cultural references and values.

We are currently looking for a Chief Finance Officer based at the headquarter of Delvaux in Brussels.

Mission

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) serves as a key member of the Executive Committee (ExCo). The CFO is responsible for the development and implementation of the Maison’s global Finance and IT strategies and safeguarding the financial well-being of the business in line with all applicable laws and regulations. The CFO and his/her team are responsible for delivering insightful business analysis to facilitate strategic business decision making and effective execution. The CFO leads and develops a “best in class” Finance and IT organization for the Maison in close partnership with the ExCo and Group Finance/Group Technology. In addition to Finance, IT, Legal and sustainability report into the position.

The Position

• Develop and deliver Finance and IT strategies aligned with Maison priorities and the Group Technology roadmap
• Be a strong business/sparring partner on cross-functional strategic business topics
• Actively contribute thoughts/ideas about the evolution of the Maison’s business model
• Ensure financial health, notably by boosting gross margin and by controlling fixed costs
• Provide appropriate guidance on the Finance implications of business activities
• Deliver on-going financial planning, budget, trend and cost analysis
• Oversee all aspects of the financial performance of the manufacturing process
• Monitor the analysis of key financial indicators (margin, operating expenses, profitability, cash flow) and propose corrective actions as needed
• Ensure reporting, tax, compliance and legal obligations are properly adhered to
• Coordinate all legal actions for the Maison together with Group legal
• Manage all aspects of accounting, tax and risk management functions
• Ensure all accounting activities and internal audits are fully compliant and secure
• Develop appropriate automated financial tools to provide timely reporting
• Ensure achievement of global targets, full P&L responsibility
• Manage IT operations and ensure IT infrastructure is reliable, secure, and cost-effective
• Lead, coach and develop the Finance and IT organisations
• Inspire and engage the wider organisation as a member of the Maison ExCo
• Close collaboration with all internal stakeholders, as the whole ExCo and Fashion & Accessories Division Finance/Group Finance
  
  

Profile

• 10+ years of finance experience in manufacturing and retail environments
• Strategic thinker and a true business partner
• Entrepreneurial with a high level of agility and can manage ambiguity
• Transversal project management or cross function working experience
• Good intuition for Maison’s product categories and the relevant markets
• Strong understanding of 360° business management
• Excellent communication skills; ability to interact with all hierarchic levels
• Strong international background and mind-set, intercultural sensitivity
• Able to represent the brand in front external/internal stakeholders
• Excellent people management skills
• Fluent in English and French (Ducth is a plus)