Chanika Balasuriya, CPA

Finance Director - Marketing, Business Services & Chemicals Portfolios

Professional Overview
Chanika Balasuriya is a finance executive with over 15 years of experience across diverse industries, including consumer goods, procurement, and supply chain. As the Finance Director for Unilever's Marketing, Business Services, and Chemicals Portfolios, she leverages her expertise in financial management, strategic planning, and performance optimization to drive sustainable growth and profitability.

Experience Summary

Current Role
As the Finance Director at Unilever, Chanika is responsible for overseeing the financial operations and strategic decision-making for three key business portfolios. She leads a team of financial professionals in managing budgeting, forecasting, and reporting, while also providing insightful analysis to support informed decision-making. Under her leadership, the portfolios have achieved significant cost savings and revenue growth, contributing to the overall financial success of the organization.

Career Progression
Prior to her current role, Chanika held progressive positions within Unilever, including Corporate Audit Manager and Global Project Manager for Procurement and Supply Chain Performance Improvement. In these roles, she demonstrated her ability to identify and implement process enhancements, drive operational efficiency, and deliver measurable cost savings. Earlier in her career, Chanika gained experience in business development and financial control at Pership Group and Hayleys Group, further developing her expertise in financial analysis and strategic planning.

Academic Background
Chanika holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Colombo. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and has completed executive leadership programs at prestigious institutions, further enhancing her strategic and management capabilities.

Areas of Expertise

• Financial management and reporting

• Strategic planning and decision-making

• Procurement and supply chain optimization

• Business performance analysis and improvement

• Cross-functional collaboration and team leadership

Professional Impact
During her tenure as Corporate Audit Manager, Chanika led a comprehensive review of Unilever's global procurement processes, resulting in the implementation of a centralized system that yielded over $20 million in annual cost savings. As the Finance Director, she has spearheaded the development of data-driven financial models to enhance portfolio-level forecasting and risk management, enabling more informed strategic decisions.

Conclusion
Chanika Balasuriya is a seasoned finance professional with a proven track record of driving sustainable growth and operational excellence. Her expertise in financial management, strategic planning, and cross-functional collaboration positions her as a valuable asset in Unilever's continued success and expansion within the Marketing, Business Services, and Chemicals Portfolios.