Wael Talaat

Commercial Finance Leader with 22+ years of experience in Retail Finance, Financial Reporting & Consolidation, Business Partnering, FP&A, Margin Management, Commercial Strategy, and Finance Transformation across Majid Al Futtaim Retail / Carrefour in Egypt and the UAE. Proven track record in management reporting, P&L consolidation, financial planning, profitability improvement, gross margin optimization, working capital, supplier income, commercial performance, reporting automation, and executive dashboards. Extensive experience partnering with Commercial, Buying, Supply Chain, Merchandise, eCommerce, and Operations teams.

Head of Commercial Finance at Majid Al Futtaim Retail / Carrefour (2024-05 – Present)

• Lead Commercial Finance activities, partnering with Commercial, Buying, Supply Chain, and Operations to drive profitable business growth.
• Own budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and monthly business performance reviews aligned with strategic objectives.
• Analyze gross margin through pricing, promotions, markdowns, shrinkage, waste, merchandise mix, and profitability.
• Review supplier commercial agreements, rebates, promotional funding, and trading terms to maximize profitability and ensure financial compliance.
• Drive working capital optimization through cash flow management, supplier receivable collections, and balance control.
• Deliver executive financial dashboards and business insights supporting strategic decision-making.
• Lead finance process automation and SAP reporting enhancements to improve reporting accuracy and operational efficiency.
• Develop and mentor the Commercial Finance team while strengthening governance, controls, and continuous improvement.

Store Financial Controller at Carrefour UAE (2023-01 – 2024-05)

• Acted as Finance Business Partner for store operations, supporting commercial and operational teams to improve financial performance.
• Monitored store profitability through sales, gross margin, promotions, shrinkage, waste, and inventory analysis.
• Prepared budgets, forecasts, and monthly business reviews, highlighting financial risks and growth opportunities.
• Managed supplier receivables and commercial income to improve cash flow and minimize bad debt exposure.
• Produced management dashboards covering sales performance, customer penetration, private label performance, promotional effectiveness, inventory depreciation, and key financial KPIs.
• Delivered analytical insights supporting data-driven commercial decisions.

Head of Commercial Finance at Carrefour Egypt (2013-06 – 2023-01)

Reported directly to the GM Finance Manager.

• Led Commercial Finance activities, partnering with Commercial and Merchandise teams to improve profitability across retail operations.
• Managed supplier commercial agreements, rebates, promotional funding, and trading terms to maximize commercial income.
• Controlled gross margin performance through pricing, promotions, merchandise mix, and profitability analysis.
• Owned budgeting, forecasting, monthly financial reviews, and variance analysis against business targets.
• Supported commercial negotiations through financial modeling and profitability analysis.
• Developed automated reporting tools and executive dashboards that enhanced business visibility and decision-making.
• Ensured strong governance over supplier balances while reducing bad debt exposure.

Financial Controller – eCommerce at Carrefour Egypt (2018-04 – 2022-02)

Concurrent Role. Reported directly to the GM Finance Manager.

• Managed financial planning and performance for the eCommerce business, including budgeting, forecasting, and monthly P&L reviews.
• Analyzed fulfillment costs, last-mile delivery, cost per order (CPO), acquisition costs (ACP), and operating expenses to improve profitability.
• Delivered financial dashboards and business insights supporting commercial and operational management.
• Supported cross-functional teams with financial analysis and business case evaluations.

Country Accounts Payable Manager at Carrefour Egypt (2010-08 – 2013-08)

Reported directly to the Country Finance Manager.

• Led the transformation of Accounts Payable into a centralized country-wide operation.
• Standardized supplier payment processes and finance booking procedures across the business.
• Developed automated Excel-based tools for gross margin reporting, purchase analysis, bad debt monitoring, and financial closing.
• Designed invoice control and reconciliation tools that improved financial accuracy and operational efficiency.
• Supported country-wide financial reporting, P&L consolidation, and continuous process improvement initiatives.

Chief Accountant at Carrefour Egypt (2008-06 – 2010-07)

• Managed month-end closing, journal entries, budgeting, forecasting, payroll, fixed assets, and financial reporting activities.
• Controlled operating expenses against budget and ensured compliance with accounting standards and internal policies.
• Supported new store openings through budgeting, fixed asset setup, and financial controls.
• Prepared management reports and financial analysis to support decision-making.
• Member of the opening team for Carrefour Supermarket projects.

Accounts Payable Accountant at Carrefour Egypt (2004-06 – 2008-08)

• Managed accounts payable activities, including invoice processing, supplier reconciliations, payment preparation, and purchase accounting.
• Performed inventory, gross margin, waste, shrinkage, and purchase analysis to support monthly financial closing.
• Monitored warehouse inventory and supplier debit balances while ensuring accurate financial records.
• Participated in successful new store opening projects, supporting finance operations and financial controls.

Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting – Zagazig University (1998 – 2001)