Company Overview Sapphire is a joint venture between Alat (a Public Investment Fund company) and Soft Bank Group. Based in the Special Integrated Logistical Zone (SILZ) in Riyadh, Sapphire is focused on the manufacturing of industrial robots that power the next generation of automation and smart manufacturing.
Role Summary:Reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sapphire Company. This role heads the Finance Department and serves as the primary finance liaison to joint venture partners and key Saudi stakeholders.
Responsibilities:Strategic Financial Leadership: Develop and implement the company’s overall financial strategy in alignment with Sapphire’s business goals and the expectations of joint venture partners. Provide financial insights to the CEO and Board to support decision-making in a high-growth manufacturing setting. Financial Operations Oversight: Oversee all finance and accounting functions (controlling, accounting operations, FP&A, treasury, etc.), ensuring effective financial management of the robotics assembly and manufacturing operations. Establish robust financial policies, procedures, and systems (e.g. ERP implementation) appropriate for a startup manufacturing environment. JV Governance & Stakeholder Coordination: Ensure compliance with joint venture governance requirements. Prepare and present accurate financial reports to the JV Board and both parent companies. Coordinate closely with JV Partners’ finance team on financial matters such as inter-company transactions, transfer pricing for components/BOMs, and aligning financial reporting standards. Liaise with Saudi ecosystem stakeholders (e.g. regulators, local suppliers, banks) on financial performance, funding, and compliance issues. Regulatory and Tax Compliance: Ensure full compliance with Saudi Arabian financial regulations and laws. This includes overseeing preparation of statutory financial statements in accordance with IFRS and Saudi standards, and managing all tax and Zakat obligations, VAT filings, and any reporting to Saudi authorities (e.g. ZATCA). Implement strong internal controls and risk management processes in line with local and international compliance requirements. Business Plan, Budgeting & Cost Management: Direct the annual budgeting and forecasting process (in collaboration with the FP&A Manager), ensuring that budgets reflect the costs of manufacturing (materials, labor, overhead) and review the financial projections of the JV as it ramps up production. Monitor spending against the capex and operational budget, and institute cost control measures to achieve profitability targets. Review and present updated business plan and annual budget to CEO and Board before the commencement of each financial year. Performance Monitoring & Improvement: Track the company’s financial performance, including manufacturing cost KPIs, product unit costs, and gross margins. Guide the FP&A and controlling teams in variance analysis (budget vs. actual), and initiate action plans to improve financial efficiency (such as optimizing BOM costs, improving inventory turnover, and reducing waste in the assembly process). Treasury & Capital Management: Manage the joint venture’s capital structure and cash flow. Oversee funding requirements, capital calls or contributions from JV partners, and maintain relationships with banks for working capital facilities (letters of credit for importing components, etc.). Ensure adequate liquidity to meet operational needs while optimizing use of capital. Team Development: Build and lead a high-performing finance team. Mentor the Financial Controller, FP&A Manager, and other finance staff, fostering a culture of accountability, accuracy, and continuous improvement. Ensure the finance team is prepared to support a rapidly scaling manufacturing operation. External Audit & Reporting: Oversee the annual external audit and any internal audits. Ensure timely completion of audits with unqualified opinions. Address auditor findings and implement recommendations. Provide transparent reporting to stakeholders, maintaining the trust of both local partners and international stakeholders.
Required Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field. A master’s degree (MBA or Finance) is a plus. Professional certification such as CPA, ACCA, CMA, or SOCPA (Saudi Organization for Certified Public Accountants) strongly preferred. In-depth knowledge of international financial reporting standards (IFRS) and solid understanding of Saudi financial regulations (including Zakat and tax laws, VAT, and commercial compliance requirements). Strong foundation in manufacturing finance, including cost accounting, inventory valuation, and analysis of BOM (Bill of Materials) costs. Excellent leadership and communication skills to effectively interact with C-level executives, JV board members, and multinational stakeholders. Able to represent Sapphire Company in high-level meetings. Fluent in English (written and spoken) for business communications; proficiency in Arabic is highly advantageous given the Saudi context.
Preferred Experience:
Extensive Finance Leadership: 12+ years of progressive finance experience, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role (Finance Director, CFO, or equivalent) within the manufacturing or industrial sector. Manufacturing Industry Expertise: Demonstrated experience in an assembly or production environment – understanding production workflows, supply chain finance, and cost optimization in a factory setting. Experience with discrete manufacturing is a bonus. Joint Venture & Multinational Exposure: Prior experience working in a joint venture or matrix organization, dealing with multiple stakeholders or parent companies. Familiarity with the governance, reporting, and performance metrics typical in JV arrangements. Experience coordinating financial practices across different countries or regions (Middle East, Asia, Europe, USA) is a plus. Startup/Build-out Environment: Proven track record of setting up or scaling a finance function for a new operation (greenfield project or early-stage company). Comfortable working in a fast-paced, construction/commissioning phase where systems and processes are being established. Regulatory and Stakeholder Management: Experience interacting with regulatory bodies in Saudi Arabia (e.g. Ministry of Investment, ZATCA) and complying with local content. Prior involvement in presenting to or advising a Board of Directors is desirable.