Jorge Avila
Finance Head, Strategic Planning and Execution
San Salvador, Departamento De San Salvador,San Salvador
Summary
My name is Jorge Ávila, a passionate finance professional with approximately 20 years of experience in family-owned businesses, regional enterprises, and multinational consumer goods companies. Held multi-country and multicultural roles across Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. Known for my results-oriented approach and my ability to make data-driven decisions. As a servant leader, I am committed to fostering the personal and professional growth of those around me. I possess extensive experience in various areas of finance, including controllership, budgeting, financial planning, S&OP, debt structuring, treasury, supply chain finance, and ownership of full P&L management. Additionally, I have participated in corporate governance as a board member in some of the operations where I have worked. My knowledge of B2C, B2B, B2B2C, and Food Service markets, among others, allows me to have a strategic vision of the business, thus supporting sustainable and profitable growth.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Unilever Food Solution North Latam Head of Finance
Unilever
5 2021 - Current
- Finance lead for Mexico, CAM, Colombia, our biggest contributor both in topline and profitability in the LATAM region.
- Provided senior management with strategic financial insights for informed decision-making. Recovering from pandemic setback and becoming the most profitable region of LATAM.
- Managed budgeting process, ensuring accurate forecasting and timely adjustments to meet business needs under VUCA environments.
- Strengthened communication between the finance department and other business units, fostering an environment of collaboration across the organization.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align financial goals with overall company objectives.
- Reduced overhead costs by identifying inefficiencies and implementing cost-saving measures.
- Enhanced financial reporting accuracy through the development of comprehensive internal controls.
- Drove revenue growth by identifying key performance indicators and optimizing pricing strategies across markets and channels.
Unilever El Salvador, Supply Chain Sr. Finance Manager CAM
Unilever
San Salvador
07.2019 - 04.2021
- Finance BP for Supply Chain CAM, FP&A and controlling.
- Increased financial efficiency by streamlining budgeting processes and implementing cost-saving measures.
- Enhanced internal controls by implementing strict compliance procedures and conducting regular audits.
- Managed the financial planning process, resulting in more accurate forecasting and informed decision-making.
- Developed policies and procedures for stock management, optimizing working capital usage and Capex spending.
- Directed annual budget process and quarterly forecast updates, integrating financial data from multiple sources to ensure accurate projections.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop strategic plans, aligning financial objectives with overall company goals.
Kimberly Clark Professional Sr. Finance Manager North LATAM
Kimberly Clark
San Salvador
02.2018 - 07.2019
- Kimberly Clark El Salvador represented up to 50% of total turnover and the most profitable region of LATAM operation (170MUSD in turnover).
- Enhanced budget management by implementing expense tracking and cost reduction strategies.
- Developed comprehensive financial reports for executive decision-making support.
- Mentored finance staff, fostering professional development and strong team dynamics.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams for strategic business planning and growth initiatives.
- Developed financial strategies that helped achieve short and long-term goals.
Kimberly Clark Professional Sr. Finance Manager for Central America and Caribbean
Kimberly Clark
San Salvador
06.2017 - 02.2018
- This region represented up to 30% of the total turnover of LATAM Operation and the most profitable region (four clusters), approximately 105MUSD in turnover.
- Enhanced budget management by implementing expense tracking and cost reduction strategies.
- Developed comprehensive financial reports for executive decision-making support.
- Mentored finance staff, fostering professional development and strong team dynamics.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams for strategic business planning and growth initiatives.
- Developed financial strategies that helped achieve short and long-term goals.
FP&A Manager
Grupo Agrisal
San Salvador
08.2016 - 06.2017
- Corporate treasury. Ensure treasury strategy and governance across companies within the holding. exemple: hotels, malls, automotive dealership
- Capital investment and Debt structuring with corporate banking. Closed a $20MM debt in order to build a multipurpose building.
- Project Valuation & Financial Modelling
- Financial Due Diligence.
Regional Cost Manager, Central America and Caribbe
Kimberly Clark
San Salvador
01.2015 - 07.2016
- Led SC Finance structure, approx. 250M USD in SCC, includes the largest Tissue Operations in Latin America based in El Salvador. Operational annual budget of 72M USD.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams, ensuring optimal resource utilization for projects & innovation porftolio decisions.
- Continuously updated knowledge on industry trends and developments in cost management methodologies, incorporating best practices into daily operations. Led roles & activities transition to a GBS for LATAM operation.
- Identified cost efficiencies by implementing effective cost management strategies.
- Enhanced financial performance of projects with meticulous cost analysis and forecasting.
Cost Coordinator Tissue Sector of Central America
Kimberly Clark
San Salvador
06.2011 - 01.2015
- Led SC Finance structure for the largest Tissue Sourcing Unit in Latin America, annual budget approx. 70M USD, total SCC of 140M USD.
- Three Tissue Sourcing Units in Region: El Salvador, Costa Rica and Dominican Republic.
- Led multiculturals team.
- Reduced costs & waste by implementing efficient budget tracking and cost management strategies.
STA - Intimate Care Category Finance Central Ameri
Kimberly Clark
San Salvador
01.2014 - 04.2014
- Finance BP to the Intimate Care Regional Marketing Team
- 35% of total Turnover in Central America & Caribbean
Factory Controller
Unilever
San Salvador
02.2009 - 05.2011
- Supply Chain, MAKE business partner.
- Budgeting and Control.
- Production Cost Analysis.
- Transfer Prices governance.
- Inventory at Risk and inventory management.
- Project Valuation – CAPEX investment.
- Financial Planning, Month-End Close process.
Corporate Financial Analyst
Grupo Agrisal
03.2006 - 01.2009
- FP&A, Treasury, Project Valuation and Financial Modelling, Budgeting
Master Degree Professor
ISEADE FEPADE
10.2006 - 03.2007
- Managerial Economics II
- Topics: Statistic and Econometric, Project Valuation.
Financial Chief
PROINDECA S.A. DE C.V.
07.2001 - 03.2004
Education
MBA - Business Economics
Tecnológico De Monterrey
México City, México 05.2004 - 11.2005
BBA - Business Administration
Universidad Dr. José Matías Delgado
San Salvador, El Salvador 05.1998 - 12.2002
High School Diploma -
Colegio García Flamenco
San Salvador, El Salvador 05.1996 - 11.1997
Skills
Financial reporting and forecasting
References
- Fernando Carbajal, Finance Head CARICAM, https://uk.linkedin.com/in/fernando-carbajal-04967a5/es
- Marcelo Cárcamo, Controller Grupo Agrisal, +503 2500 9000
- Hugo Rivera, Senior Manager Information Technology at Celanese (USA), https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugo-rivera-anzo%C3%A1tegui-425a697/
- Jorge Bayona, Country Manager Central America, Caribbean, Colombia & Ecuador, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorge-e-bayona-60b862b/
- Diana Ortiz, VP Global Strategy, Marketing & Analytics Kimberly Clark Professional, https://www.linkedin.com/in/savinonortiz/
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
French
Intermediate (B1)
Portuguese
Intermediate (B1)
Applications
- Office
- SAP R/3
- SAP HANA
- Peach Tree Complete Accounting
- QuickBooks
- SPSS
- Eviews
- Minitab
- Among others
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeWork Location
HybridImportant To Me
Career advancementWork-life balanceCompany CultureStock Options / Equity / Profit SharingPersonal development programsSoftware
Office
SAP
Interests
Sports
Reading
Continuos learning
Timeline
Unilever El Salvador, Supply Chain Sr. Finance Manager CAM
Unilever
07.2019 - 04.2021
Kimberly Clark Professional Sr. Finance Manager North LATAM
Kimberly Clark
02.2018 - 07.2019
Kimberly Clark Professional Sr. Finance Manager for Central America and Caribbean
Kimberly Clark
06.2017 - 02.2018
FP&A Manager
Grupo Agrisal
08.2016 - 06.2017
Regional Cost Manager, Central America and Caribbe
Kimberly Clark
01.2015 - 07.2016
STA - Intimate Care Category Finance Central Ameri
Kimberly Clark
01.2014 - 04.2014
Cost Coordinator Tissue Sector of Central America
Kimberly Clark
06.2011 - 01.2015
Factory Controller
Unilever
02.2009 - 05.2011
Master Degree Professor
ISEADE FEPADE
10.2006 - 03.2007
Corporate Financial Analyst
Grupo Agrisal
03.2006 - 01.2009
MBA - Business Economics
Tecnológico De Monterrey
05.2004 - 11.2005
Financial Chief
PROINDECA S.A. DE C.V.
07.2001 - 03.2004
BBA - Business Administration
Universidad Dr. José Matías Delgado
05.1998 - 12.2002
High School Diploma -
Colegio García Flamenco
05.1996 - 11.1997
Unilever Food Solution North Latam Head of Finance
Unilever
5 2021 - Current
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