Syed A.

With 30+ years of cross-functional leadership in Finance and HR, I blend corporate financial discipline with strategic workforce management. Having served as Corporate Planning Lead and Finance Business Partner across complex manufacturing and Leaf supply chain environments, I bring deep expertise in budgeting, financial modeling, internal controls, and SOX compliance. In HR leadership as Reward Manager, I partnered with executive leaders to modernize legacy policies, design payroll architecture, and strengthen our Employee Value Proposition (EVP). A signature career achievement was leading the pension scheme transformation for 200+ employees from Defined Benefit to Defined Contribution. Partnering with EY, legal, and finance teams, I navigated complex tax and statutory frameworks while delivering personalized retirement simulations to each employee, securing a 50% conversion rate. I help organizations align finance, compliance, and HR into a high-performing operation.

• Industrial Relation Manager

  Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited · 2024 — Present
  Formulated the IR strategy to guarantee adherence to labor laws while fostering positive relations between employees and management. Handled CBA engagements, collective bargaining, and negotiations with unions. Conducted investigations into misconduct and managed grievance resolutions in line with legal standards. Offered advisory insights to leadership regarding IR risk and policy updates.

• HR Services Manager

  Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited · 2017 — 2023
  Oversaw various reward activities such as performance rewards and employee recognition initiatives, ensuring compliance during reward disbursements through payroll. Collaborated with HR Business Partners to develop engagement-focused reward mechanisms. Managed the complete payroll process for all employees and pensioners while maintaining statutory compliance with tax and social security. Coordinated financial reconciliations and enhancements to payroll systems. Directed operations of the Provident, Gratuity, and Pension Funds, including calculations, contributions, and liaising with trustees for accurate reporting.

• Finance Manager - Retirement Schemes

  Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited · 2011 — 2017
  Oversaw an investment portfolio exceeding Rs. 10 billion in regulated instruments while orchestrating trustee meetings and managing investment approvals. Ensured compliance with IFRS for financial statements and fund governance, coordinating both actuarial valuations and audits.

• Finance Manager Corporate Services

  Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited · 2012 — 2013
  Acted as a Finance Business Partner for the corporate services sector while retaining responsibilities related to Retirement Schemes. Managed budgets, upheld financial governance, and facilitated regional and global reporting, contributing to the global project 'TAO' for the South Asia Area.

• Leaf Finance Manager

  Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited · 2008 — 2011
  Administered Rs. 5.2 billion in funds for the leaf buying cycle over a five-month period. Implemented cost control strategies for leaf operations and provided financial analysis support to senior leadership across more than 20 locations.

• Manufacturing Finance Analyst

  Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited · 2006 — 2008
  Conducted analysis on production expenses and the wage budget while reviewing capex proposals and operational variances. Played a key role in finance process realignment, resulting in the elimination of cash handling in factories.

• Planning Analyst

  Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited · 2004 — 2006
  Supported the development of corporate strategy and long-term planning initiatives. Led planning cycles and budgeting processes while ensuring accurate group reporting and developing excise models.

• Senior Accounts Officer

  Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited · 2001 — 2004
  Conducted macro and microeconomic analyses for corporate planning, managing profitability estimates and reporting cycles along with variance analyses.

• Accounts Officer

  Pakistan Tobacco Company Limited · 1996 — 2001
  Managed costing systems for leaf and wrapping materials, ensuring accuracy for month-end costing and supporting scenario analysis. Oversaw treasury operations including interest payments and monitoring debt positions across sites.

• MBA

  Asian Management Development Centre · 1992 — 1994
• BSc (Stats, Maths, Physics)

  University of the Punjab · 1989 — 1992