Finance Manager

Overall Responsibility:
Responsible for the overall financial leadership, management, and strategy of the organization. Provides strategic insight and operational oversight to ensure financial integrity, efficiency, and sustainable growth.

Financial Strategy

• Develop and execute the company’s financial strategy in alignment with overall business objectives.
• Provide financial insights and recommendations to the CEO, Board, and senior management to inform key strategic decisions.
• Lead the budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning processes
• Support business growth through robust financial analysis, risk management, and capital planning.

Financial Management and Reporting

• Oversee the preparation and presentation of accurate, timely, and compliant financial statements and management reports.
• Ensure adherence to IFRS and local standards across all entities.
• Manage monthly, quarterly, and annual closing processes and reporting timetables.
• Provide detailed financial performance analysis, including variance and trend reporting, to management and board members.
• Prepare and present financial reports and performance insights to the CEO, Board, and investors.
• Produce monthly management reports for Sales and Marketing teams, providing insight into spending and budget tracking.
• Lead the compilation of balance sheets, accruals (including retailer and EU accruals), and supporting schedules for reporting accuracy.

Financial Operations and Systems

• Oversee the full accounting cycle, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll processing.
• Ensure accuracy and efficiency in all finance-related systems and processes.
• Lead ERP and accounting system enhancements and integrations to improve automation and reporting capabilities.
• Develop and implement financial policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Drive the adoption of automation, AI, and digital tools to enhance efficiency and data accuracy across finance operations.
• Maintain oversight of debtors management, ensuring accurate reconciliations, timely collections, and credit risk control.
• Support supplier reconciliations, invoice matching, and intercompany recharges to ensure completeness and accuracy.

Compliance, Tax, and Audit Management

• Ensure compliance with local and international accounting, tax, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage corporate tax compliance and oversee VAT submissions (including French VAT and other EU jurisdictions).
• Lead external and internal audits, ensuring effective preparation, timely delivery, and follow-up on findings.
• Establish and maintain robust internal controls, policies, and risk management processes across all financial activities.

Treasury & Cash Flow Management

• Manage banking relationships and ensure efficient treasury operations.
• Oversee cash flow planning, forecasting, and liquidity management.
• Monitor and optimize working capital, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, and inventory.
• Optimize capital structure and funding strategies to support business growth and stability.

Cost Control & Performance Monitoring

• Analyze and monitor company cost structures, identifying opportunities for efficiency and savings.
• Develop and monitor key financial KPIs such as EBITDA, gross margin, and ROE.
• Oversee cost allocation across departments, brands, and markets, ensuring accurate visibility and accountability.
• Implement and manage financial dashboards and performance monitoring tools to support data-driven decision-making.

Business Partnering & Stakeholder Management

• Assist CEO with Remuniration discussions/process (Performance discussions/Bonus Payouts/Increases)
• Partner with cross-functional teams — including Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Supply Chain — to align financial planning with business objectives.
• Provide financial analysis and guidance on new projects, investments, and market expansions.
• Support pricing strategies, marketing recharges, and commercial contract negotiations from a financial perspective.
• Ensure that all recharges and cost allocations across regions and functions are accurate and timely.

Mergers, Acquisitions & Partnerships

• Identify, evaluate, and assess potential investment, partnership, or acquisition opportunities.
• Conduct financial due diligence, valuation, and integration planning.
• Support strategic projects that drive long-term value creation and business expansion.

People management

• Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Build a high-performance finance function with a focus on strategic insight, operational efficiency, and compliance.
• Align finance team objectives with overall business strategy and performance goals.
• Encourage innovation and ownership within the finance team, empowering members to drive process improvement and automation.

IT & Digital Transformation

• Oversee the finance-related IT environment, including ERP systems, reporting tools, and data management.
• Drive the digital transformation of finance through process automation, AI-driven insights, and system integration.
• Ensure finance technology infrastructure supports scalability, compliance, and real-time visibility.

Skills, qualifications, and experience

• • Qualified Chartered Accountant – CA(SA) is required.
  • Relevant post-qualification experience in a financial leadership, commercial finance, or similar senior finance role.
  • Strong strategic financial acumen and commercial awareness, with the ability to translate financial insights into business decisions.
  • Strong analytical, financial modelling, and problem-solving capabilities.
  • Proven leadership experience, including the ability to develop, guide, and support finance team members.
  • High level of accuracy and attention to detail, with a strong focus on financial governance, compliance, and controls.
  • Proactive, collaborative, and results-driven approach, with the ability to work effectively across functions.
  • Strong commitment to continuous improvement, process optimisation, automation, and digital transformation.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly to senior leadership and non-financial stakeholders.