An ambitious transformation journey that started in 2016 saw Olam’s Group Finance team move from being merely a finance controller to becoming co-strategists in executing Olam’s Strategic Re-organisation plan. The Group Finance team is divided into three units – Business Unit Finance, Country Finance, and Specialist Finance. At Olam, Finance has structured its deliverables and goals to fall under four key roles:

• Controller – minimises controllable losses using robust controls and compliance.
• Performance Officer – co-owns budget plan and performance by being predictive of outcomes.
• Co-strategist – co-partners Business Units on strategic planning and execution, handles mergers and acquisitions transactions.
• Value Manager – drives value add to business bottom line through specialist functions.

Finance identified strengthening the team as a key enabler for transformation and formed the Finance Team Management Committee (FTMC). The committee focuses efforts on team development and drives curated learning and development. Cross-functional collaboration and digitilisation form the underlying fabric of our transformation agenda – intricately woven into everything the Finance Group does.