In the fast-paced world of food and beverage (F&B), where consumer preferences shift as quickly as market conditions, financial leadership requires more than just number-crunching—it demands strategic foresight, agility, and a profound understanding of both business and people. At the heart of this dynamic industry stands Evaliny, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of PT Mount Scopus Indonesia, the parent company of The Harvest Group. With a career that transcends financial reporting, Evaliny has been instrumental in shaping business resilience, fostering innovation, and ensuring profitability in one of Indonesia’s most competitive sectors.
From Balance Sheets to Business Transformation
Evaliny’s approach to finance has always been deeply intertwined with innovation and impact. She believes that financial leadership extends beyond managing spreadsheets—it involves shaping the broader business landscape through strategic vision and decisive action. Her experiences have reinforced the idea that finance should be a catalyst for growth, fostering both commercial success and positive societal change.
At The Harvest Group, Evaliny has played a crucial role in ensuring that financial strategies align with long-term business goals. Rather than simply focusing on cost-cutting, she advocates for investment in areas that drive sustainable growth. By leveraging financial insights to guide operational decisions, she has helped The Harvest pivot from a celebration-based bakery into an everyday indulgence brand. “Financial leadership is about making the right investments at the right time. Sometimes, that means taking bold steps into uncharted territory,” she notes.
One key aspect of her transformation strategy has been optimising financial efficiency while ensuring operational excellence. Whether it’s streamlining supply chain costs, adopting new technology to enhance production efficiency, or exploring new revenue streams, Evaliny approaches finance as a strategic enabler rather than a limiting function. “Finance should never be an obstacle to innovation—it should be the backbone that supports it.”
Navigating the Challenges of F&B Finance
Leading the financial strategy of an F&B company comes with unique challenges—thin profit margins, volatile ingredient prices, and ever-evolving consumer behaviour. At PT Mount Scopus Indonesia, Evaliny has played a critical role in adapting financial strategies to ensure sustainability and profitability.
“In the beginning, The Harvest was mainly about celebrations—cakes for birthdays and anniversaries. But we realised that to stay competitive, we needed to transition from occasional purchases to daily consumption,” she explains.
By introducing daily bread offerings and diversifying their product line, Evaliny helped the company tap into new revenue streams while keeping costs in check. Additionally, she emphasises the importance of building strong B2B partnerships. “Rather than waiting for customers to buy one or two loaves, why not supply in bulk? We built relationships with corporations, government institutions, and industries, offering snack boxes and hampers. This shift in strategy significantly expanded our reach.”
Balancing AI, Intuition, and the Human Touch
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape the finance function, Evaliny acknowledges its potential while also highlighting the irreplaceable role of human intuition. “AI is great for data analysis and forecasting, but finance is not just about numbers. It’s about relationships, trust, and intuition,” she says. Customers, employees, and stakeholders still need the human connection that AI cannot replicate.
She shares an anecdote about being referred to as ‘the mom of Harvest,’ where even customers reach out personally to seek her advice on cake selections. “That’s something AI can’t do. Strategic financial decisions should be informed by data but guided by empathy and experience.”
Turning Market Volatility into Opportunity
With raw material prices—especially chocolate and dairy—fluctuating by as much as 400%, Evaliny and her team continuously explore creative solutions to maintain profitability. “One approach we took was shifting customer preferences from chocolate-heavy products to fruit-based options. It’s about educating consumers while still delivering outstanding taste.” Additionally, she advocates for forward contracts and alternative sourcing strategies to mitigate cost fluctuations.
Rather than reacting to market volatility, Evaliny proactively studies global trends, supply chain disruptions, and consumer behaviours to anticipate potential challenges. By building strategic supplier relationships and securing long-term agreements with key partners, she helps The Harvest stabilise its cost base and protect margins. “We don’t just adjust prices—we rethink our product mix, sourcing strategies, and cost structures. Every challenge presents an opportunity to innovate.”
Her philosophy is to take every challenge as an opportunity to innovate. “It’s like baking—sometimes ingredients change, but as long as you understand the fundamentals, you can always create something delicious.”
Sustainability as a Business Advantage
Sustainability in the F&B sector often comes at a cost, but Evaliny views it as a long-term investment. By implementing Halal certification and British Retail Consortium (BRC) standards—despite not being mandatory in Indonesia—she positioned The Harvest as a brand that prioritises food safety and quality. Evaliny stated, “This dedication has created opportunities on a global scale. We now receive enquiries from global companies looking to source from Indonesia, which gives us a competitive edge.”
Beyond compliance, Evaliny ensures that sustainability initiatives align with financial performance. From minimising food waste through production efficiency to adopting eco-friendly packaging, she integrates responsible practices without compromising profitability. “Sustainability should not be treated as an expense—it should be embedded in our business model as a value driver.”
The Future CFO: A Leader Beyond Finance
When asked about the qualities future CFOs should develop, Evaliny emphasises the importance of adaptability and collaboration. “Finance professionals can no longer afford to operate in silos. The world is vast, and opportunities are everywhere—but you have to be open to learning and working with others.”
Her advice to aspiring financial leaders, “It’s not just about numbers—it’s about sincerity, collaboration, and making decisions that benefit people. The best businesses are built on good intentions.”
Stay Connected with Evaliny
For more profound insights into finance, business transformation, and the evolving F&B landscape, follow Evaliny on LinkedIn. Connect with her on LinkedIn to engage in discussions on leadership, innovation, and financial strategy in the industry.
