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
Teamwork and Collaboration
Project Finance Management
Working capital management
Analytical and Critical Thinking
Talent Catalyst
Investment Management
Continuous learning mindset
Internal controls implementation
Strategic financial planning
Performance Metrics Monitoring
Financial modeling proficiency
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
swipe to browse
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeLocation Preference
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