Ola Helge Gjerde
Summary
Finance leader with extensive experience at Yara, driving commercial excellence and operational optimization across diverse regions. Proven track record in managing diverse teams and spearheading transformation initiatives, leveraging strong financial acumen and strategic insight to enhance decision-making and capital allocation. Adept at fostering collaboration and delivering impactful results.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
Work History
SVP Finance and Business Excellence
Yara Africa and Asia
09.2021 - Current
- Broad role with overall responsibility for the Region's finance, supply chain and commercial excellence areas.
- Managing a team of ~ 50 support staff in Singapore.
- From May 2022 to Nov 2022 and from Nov. 2024 to current also acting as interim head of production in the Region (including 2 large sites with ~700 employees) and operational excellence in the Region.
VP CFO
Yara Production / Global Plants
07.2018 - 08.2021
- Responsible for the finance function of Yara's global production system.
- Main focus on decision support related to capital allocation, identification and evaluation of structural optimization options and analysis/decision support related to larger capital projects.
VP CFO
Yara Supply Chain Segment
01.2014 - 06.2018
- Role supporting Yara's segment covering supply value chain, procurement, global optimization, sourcing and trade with third party produced products in addition to ammonia trade and shipping.
- Heavily involved in two of the large transformation projects; the supply chain transformation project in Europe and the Procurement Excellence Project.
VP CFO
Yara North and East Europe
07.2007 - 12.2013
- Finance role with main focus on commercial strategy and tactics, optimization, M&A, Joint Ventures.
- Post merger integration of Kemira Grow-How's Nordic activities.
- Participated in the large contract negotiations with key Nordic agricultural co-ops.
Various Finance Positions
Norsk Hydro / Yara
06.1992 - 06.2007
- Had my first four formative years in Norsk Hydro's Corporate Finance. Moved from there to Hydro's Agricultural division, where I held finance roles with increasing complexity and independence.
- In a two year period, commuted on weekly basis to Sweden and held position as local Finance Manager for Yara Sweden.
Education
Siviløkonom -
Norwegian School of Economics/Business Adm. (NHH)
Bergen, Norway01-1992
Skills
- Value chain expertise
- Financial acumen
- Operational excellence
- Revenue growth
- Staff development
- Strategic planning
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Industry expertise
- Global operations
- Stakeholder management
Timeline
SVP Finance and Business Excellence
Yara Africa and Asia
09.2021 - Current
VP CFO
Yara Production / Global Plants
07.2018 - 08.2021
VP CFO
Yara Supply Chain Segment
01.2014 - 06.2018
VP CFO
Yara North and East Europe
07.2007 - 12.2013
Various Finance Positions
Norsk Hydro / Yara
06.1992 - 06.2007
Siviløkonom -
Norwegian School of Economics/Business Adm. (NHH)
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