Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Languages
Accomplishments
References
Timeline
Generic
Ahmed GOBRAN

Ahmed GOBRAN

Jeddah,Mecca Region

Summary

Transformational General Manager and Finance Executive with over 30 years of experience in FMCG across the MENATA region. Expertise in Finance operation, strategic planning, operational excellence, and risk management. Demonstrated success in driving cross-functional collaboration and fostering talent development.

Overview

34
34
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education

Work history

General Manager Finance and special projects

Savola food Co.
Jeddah, KSA
08.2019 - 08.2025
  • Leading financial strategy and organisational framework within Savola Foods emerging markets business.
  • Establishing financial controls, enhancing risk management, and refining management reporting practices.
  • Led strategic partnerships and M&A transactions, pinpointing value creation opportunities and synergies, showcasing potential financial advantages and prospective outlook for new structure.
  • Directed design and establishment of Savola food sector product supply finance function, encompassing organisational structure, responsibility matrix, and management reporting framework.
  • Championed creation and implementation of updated delegated level of authority (LOA) across Savola Foods sectors, reflecting group strategy and risk tolerance.
  • Evaluate and deliver strategic insights for decision-making related to exit and de-consolidation strategies (markets/operations).
  • Led automation design initiative for planning and reporting solution (EPM) in conjunction with phasing out spreadsheet dependency.

General Manager

Afia International Egypt
Cairo, Egypt
06.2012 - 07.2019
  • Directed complete business operations with full responsibility for P&L management.
  • Formulated strategic recommendation for BOD and implemented business strategy during challenging market economic conditions.
  • Redesigned commercial framework and supply chain structure to align with new strategy.
  • Directed treasury function, overseeing funding, forex risk management, and essential government relations.
  • Launched key strategic investment projects that significantly propelled future business growth.
  • Spearheaded shared service functions supporting business group in Egypt.

CFO

Savola Egypt
Cairo, Egypt
03.2004 - 06.2012
  • Directed P&L, cash flow, forecasting, reporting, and funding initiatives for Savola Egypt foods business group.
  • Established shared service unit encompassing finance, legal, and IT functions, overseeing Oracle ERP implementation
  • Directed financial restructuring and consolidation for edible oil business.
  • Directed manufacturing sites mega consolidation project, enhancing business controls and optimising approximately 30% of operational costs.
  • Developed long-term financial strategies to anticipate challenges and bottlenecks while aligning action plans during financial crises periods.
  • Steered and settled critical concerns with both internal and external auditors, formulated plans for improved governance, controls, and adherence to regulatory matters.
  • Directed tax matters with authorities, successfully resolving 10-year tax audit backlog without incurring financial exposure.

Financial planning and reporting director

Afia International Egypt
Cairo, Egypt
01.2001 - 02.2004
  • Revamped finance business partnership and launched FP&A function.
  • Led financial and reporting activities to facilitate thorough analysis and assessments available for management decision making.
  • Established finance framework for non-finance professionals within Savola Foods operating units and facilitated course delivery for three consecutive years.

Financial controller

Savola Sime Co.
Cairo, Egypt
03.1996 - 12.2000
  • Managed accounting and control functions.
  • Key team member in successful IPO in 1998.

Accounting Manager- Factory based

Sime Darby Co.
Suez, Egypt
09.1993 - 02.1996
  • Managed accounting, reporting and costing activities.

Auditor IN charge

Makhlouf&CO chartered accounting firm
07.1991 - 08.1993
  • Conducted various financial and tax audits.

Education

Executive MBA - Leadership & innovation

INSEAD
02.2016 - 01.2018

Leadership Academy - General managment

Ahmedabad university
India
05.2006 - 05.2007

Bachelor's - in business management and finance

Cairo University
Egypt
09.1987 - 05.1991

Skills

  • Commercial and financial modeling
  • Consolidation and post merger integration
  • IPO & Due diligence & M&A
  • Business process optimization
  • Product launch financial management
  • Business KPI's development &tracking
  • Financial analysis & budgeting
  • Regulatory compliance and governance
  • Shared service and synergy
  • Leadership development
  • Talent acquisition and retention
  • Technology integration strategies
  • Business intelligence tools
  • ERP systems expertise
  • Microsoft Office Suite


  • Performance evaluation

Languages

Arabic
Native
English
Fluent

Accomplishments

    Finance function leadership award -Savola Group (2012)

    Business ethics model Chairman award - Savola Group (2004)

    Exceptional performance award - Sime Darby Co. (1997)

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

General Manager Finance and special projects

Savola food Co.
08.2019 - 08.2025

Executive MBA - Leadership & innovation

INSEAD
02.2016 - 01.2018

General Manager

Afia International Egypt
06.2012 - 07.2019

Leadership Academy - General managment

Ahmedabad university
05.2006 - 05.2007

CFO

Savola Egypt
03.2004 - 06.2012

Financial planning and reporting director

Afia International Egypt
01.2001 - 02.2004

Financial controller

Savola Sime Co.
03.1996 - 12.2000

Accounting Manager- Factory based

Sime Darby Co.
09.1993 - 02.1996

Auditor IN charge

Makhlouf&CO chartered accounting firm
07.1991 - 08.1993

Bachelor's - in business management and finance

Cairo University
09.1987 - 05.1991

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Ahmed GOBRAN