Francisco Javier Martinez Cervantes
Arlesheim
Summary
Finance Executive with extensive corporate and operational experience developed over 30 years working for top corporations focusing primarily in the Global Pharmaceutical industry. Deep knowledge of global operations with experience crafted from having lived and worked in Switzerland, Italy, Brazil, France, Germany, USA, Mexico. Strong business knowledge and proven ability to deliver results in all geographies and different levels of organizational responsibility. Agile learner with ability to lead with highest standards global and transformative projects, define strategies and adapt successfully to new and emerging technologies.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Head Digital Finance / Financial Reporting & Plan
Novartis International AG
Basel
2022.09 - Current
- Lead Digital Transformation of the Global Function and Processes through Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and advanced visualization and automation
- Financial Reporting and analytics for external reporting purposes; quarterly earning activities and overall analytics required to support investor relations interactions
- Financial reporting and analytics for Novartis' Executive bodies and other key forums where CEO and CFO require financial information related to business performance
- Responsible for the overall process to set three-year financial plans, annual financial targets, recurring financial forecasts and key performance indicators for Novartis and its operating units
- Lead the design, execution and monitoring of key strategic transformation initiatives to deliver productivity and overall simplification, including function design and organization optimization
- Responsible for overall advanced management visualization tools and data management
- Lead operations from three locations: Basel, Switzerland; Barcelona, Spain and Hyderabad, India
Head Digital Finance Innovative Medicines Division
Novartis Pharma AG
Basel
2020.07 - 2022.08
- Established a high-performing team of Data Scientists, Software Engineers, Data Architects in Barcelona, Spain to fundamentally transform the role of the finance function and key business processes through Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.
- Automation of decision support and insights creation with advanced analytics and overall automation and visualization innovations
- Responsible for the Financial Support Hub in Hyderabad, India with focus on Business Planning and Analysis activities for all geographies.
- Transformed the annual target/budget process improving process from six months to six weeks
CFO Region Europe, Oncology Division
Novartis Pharma AG
Origgio | Basel
2018.01 - 2020.06
- Drive and deliver business and financial results in over 30 countries
- Direct business responsibility for USD 5 Bn
- Developed and implemented financial strategies to increase efficiency and reduce costs to support business expansion and sustained growth
- Co-lead together with Region CEO and other key senior management the development and implementation of long-term business objectives and plans
- Business development assessment and functional leadership
Country CFO and Pharma Division CFO
Novartis Pharma AG
Sao Paolo
2014.12 - 2018.12
- Member of the Brazil Country Executive Committee
- Cross Divisional and statutory accountability for local operations (1Bn USD turnover)
- Top leader for Finance associates (300+)
- Led Novartis' operations through business transformation
- Resolved long standing business development challenges
Head Group Business Analysis - Group Finance
Novartis International AG
Basel
2013.01 - 2014.12
- Business Insights for CFO and CEO
- Led financial assessment and key role in transformation design
- Design target and KPIs for performance management purposes
Head Finance Operations
Novartis Pharma AG
Basel
2012.03 - 2012.12
- Global Cash Flow, working capital optimization and value creation monitoring
- Capital Investments committee lead (USD 5bn CAPEX p.a.)
- Developed contingency plans to address GIPS financial crisis
Global Project Leader - Cash Flow Initiative
Novartis Pharma AG
Basel
2010.02 - 2012.02
- Improved working capital cash conversion cycle with a combined framework of KPIs, reporting automation, KPI framework and top-level steering committee
Financial Operations Manager
Novartis Pharma AG
Basel
2009.08 - 2010.01
- Designed and implemented globally and integrated into performance framework an business operational metric to drive free cash flow at country level
Head Efficiency Projects
Novartis Farmaceutica
Mexico City
2008.07 - 2009.08
- Demonstrated leadership though improvement of key processes to drive local productivity and efficiency
Sabbatical
Personal time
Mexico City
2007.08 - 2008.08
- Dedicated one year to family and self to reset direction and update professional knowledge
Director Compliance Officer / Finance Projects
Sanofi (Sanofi-Aventis)
Paris
2006.03 - 2007.06
- Lead implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley control framework in 40+ countries
Director, Business Management & Support
Sanofi (Sanofi Aventis)
Paris
2005.03 - 2006.03
- Performance Management for Global Commercial Operations
- Post acquisition integration support
- Design of integrated planning framework from patient funnel to tactical plan
CFO Asia and Australia
Sanofi (Aventis Pharma)
Paris
2004.01 - 2005.03
- Lead business and finance role for top 4 countries post Sanofi acquisition (China, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Australia)
- Aventis - Finance leadership and driving performance for 12 Asian Countries + Australia
Director, Global Commercial Operations Controlling
Sanofi (Aventis Pharma)
Frankfurt | Strasbourg
2002.01 - 2003.12
- Performance and Decision support to Aventis Chief Commercial Officer for all Global Commercial Operations. Key liaison for Corporate Finance matters. Business scope USD 21bn.
Corporate Regional Controller
AventisAAventisventisAventisAventisAventisp.aSanofi (Aventis Pharma)
Frankfurt
2000.01 - 2001.12
- Performance Management accountability for USA, Canada, Africa, Middle East, Asia and Eastern Europe countries. Business scope USD 9bn.
Manager, Corporate Audit
Sanofi (Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Inc)
Collegeville, PA
1998.01 - 1999.12
- Global Audit leadership for Business and Operational audits including support for Corporate investigations
Sr. Corporate Auditor Corporate Audit & Consulting
Sanofi (Rhone-Poulenc Rorer)
Collegeville, PA
1998.01 - 1999.12
- Lead role in identifying risk areas, design audit plan, conduct audits, report results and monitor resolution of reported matters
Manager, Planning & Budgeting Mexico & C America
Sanofi (Rhone-Poulenc Rorer)
Mexico City
1996.01 - 1997.12
- Developed and maintained annual budgeting process, including forecasting and analysis for operations in Mexico and Central America. Business scope USD 50m.
Controller, Mexico
Sanofi (Rhone-Poulenc Rorer)
Mexico City
1993.07 - 1995.12
- Developed and implemented effective internal control systems to ensure compliance with GAAP, company policies and procedures.
- Responsible for Consolidation and Reporting of financials to Headquarters
- External Audit coordination
Staff to Senior Auditor / Consultant
Pricewaterhousecoopers (Coopers & Lybrand)
Mexico City
1990.07 - 1993.07
- Conducted external audits and supported auditor opinion assessment
- Special projects with select clients for improvement of internal controls and fraud prevention
- Special focus on multinational pharmaceutical companies
Education
Post Graduate Diploma - Health Services Management
Universidad Anahuac
Mexico City, Mexico2008-06
MBA - Economics And Business
Universidad Anahuac
Mexico City, Mexico1996-08
Bachelor of Arts - Public Accounting
Public Accounting
Universidad Panamericana1993-08
Skills
- Proven team leadership with high performing teams
- Applied Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies
- Investor Relations-level presentation of financial results
- Agile learning and proven adoption of emerging trends
- Organization design and process optimization
- Financial Planning and Forecasting
- Decision support and business development
- Consolidation and Financial Reporting
- Control environment and compliance
- Business Analytics and Performance Management
Executive Development Programs (Company designed and sponsored)
Novartis - IESE Business School. Finance Leadership program. Barcelona, Spain 2024
Novartis - Harvard Business School. Finance and Business Leadership programs. Boston MA, USA 2017 and 2016
Aventis - Wharton | INSEAD. Global Business Leader program. Philadelphia PA, USA | Fontainebleau, France 2003
Languages
Spanish
First Language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
Portuguese
Intermediate (B1)
B1
French
Elementary (A2)
A2
Born in Mexico City, Mexico
Mexican Citizen, Mexico Passport. Swiss B Permit
Married, children aged 24 and 20
Timeline
Head Digital Finance / Financial Reporting & Plan
Novartis International AG
2022.09 - Current
Head Digital Finance Innovative Medicines Division
Novartis Pharma AG
2020.07 - 2022.08
CFO Region Europe, Oncology Division
Novartis Pharma AG
2018.01 - 2020.06
Country CFO and Pharma Division CFO
Novartis Pharma AG
2014.12 - 2018.12
Head Group Business Analysis - Group Finance
Novartis International AG
2013.01 - 2014.12
Head Finance Operations
Novartis Pharma AG
2012.03 - 2012.12
Global Project Leader - Cash Flow Initiative
Novartis Pharma AG
2010.02 - 2012.02
Financial Operations Manager
Novartis Pharma AG
2009.08 - 2010.01
Head Efficiency Projects
Novartis Farmaceutica
2008.07 - 2009.08
Sabbatical
Personal time
2007.08 - 2008.08
Director Compliance Officer / Finance Projects
Sanofi (Sanofi-Aventis)
2006.03 - 2007.06
Director, Business Management & Support
Sanofi (Sanofi Aventis)
2005.03 - 2006.03
CFO Asia and Australia
Sanofi (Aventis Pharma)
2004.01 - 2005.03
Director, Global Commercial Operations Controlling
Sanofi (Aventis Pharma)
2002.01 - 2003.12
Corporate Regional Controller
AventisAAventisventisAventisAventisAventisp.aSanofi (Aventis Pharma)
2000.01 - 2001.12
Manager, Corporate Audit
Sanofi (Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Inc)
1998.01 - 1999.12
Sr. Corporate Auditor Corporate Audit & Consulting
Sanofi (Rhone-Poulenc Rorer)
1998.01 - 1999.12
Manager, Planning & Budgeting Mexico & C America
Sanofi (Rhone-Poulenc Rorer)
1996.01 - 1997.12
Controller, Mexico
Sanofi (Rhone-Poulenc Rorer)
1993.07 - 1995.12
Staff to Senior Auditor / Consultant
Pricewaterhousecoopers (Coopers & Lybrand)
1990.07 - 1993.07
Post Graduate Diploma - Health Services Management
Universidad Anahuac
MBA - Economics And Business
Universidad Anahuac
Bachelor of Arts - Public Accounting
Public Accounting
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