Job Description

Key Requirements

Recognised accounting or finance qualification, preferably CA(SA), CIMA, ACCA, or an equivalent professional qualification.
7 - 10 years of relevant financial management experience, including senior-level responsibilities.
Proven experience in manufacturing finance, preferably within food manufacturing or FMCG.
Strong knowledge of management accounting, product costing, inventory valuation, and manufacturing cost analysis.
Experience managing budgets, forecasts, cash flow, working capital, and financial performance.
Knowledge of financial controls, auditing, tax legislation, statutory compliance, and risk management.
Experience managing inventory costs, production variances, wastage, and supplier expenditure.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, ERP systems, and financial reporting tools.
Experience leading finance teams and supporting commercial decision-making.
Proven ability to improve profitability, reduce costs, and strengthen financial performance.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee the overall financial management of the business, ensuring accurate reporting and financial control.
Prepare monthly management accounts, financial statements, performance reports, and variance analyses.
Lead annual budgeting, financial forecasting, cash flow planning, and long-term financial planning.
Develop and maintain product costing models covering raw materials, packaging, labour, and manufacturing overheads.
Monitor product profitability, production costs, wastage, stock losses, and manufacturing efficiencies.
Manage working capital, accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory levels, and cash flow.
Oversee stock reconciliations, inventory valuations, obsolete stock provisions, and financial controls.
Analyse pricing, customer profitability, supplier costs, and commercial opportunities to improve margins.
Evaluate capital expenditure, investment proposals, and business expansion opportunities.
Ensure compliance with accounting standards, tax requirements, statutory obligations, and internal financial policies.
Coordinate external audits, address audit findings, and implement measures to reduce financial risks.
Lead and develop the finance team while improving financial systems, reporting accuracy, and operational efficiency.
Work with operational departments to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve business performance.
Provide financial insights and recommendations to support strategic planning and management decisions.

Key Skills

Qualifications

CA(SA), CIMA, ACCA, or an equivalent recognised accounting or finance qualification.
7 - 10 years of relevant financial management experience, preferably in a senior position.
Experience in manufacturing, ideally within food manufacturing or FMCG.
Strong knowledge of management accounting, product costing, and inventory valuation.
Experience in financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and working capital management.
Proven experience in financial controls, audit coordination, tax compliance, and statutory reporting.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience using ERP and financial reporting systems.
Experience with Syspro or a similar ERP platform is advantageous.
Experience in high-volume, multi-product manufacturing operations is beneficial.
Knowledge of food manufacturing costs, including production yields, wastage, packaging, shelf life, and product losses, is advantageous.
Experience in cost reduction, margin improvement, process optimisation, and capital investment analysis is beneficial.

Head Of Finance

Key skills