Finance Manager

Position Title: Finance Manager Manufacturing & Project Finance

Location: Eastern Africa / Central Africa

Function: Finance & Accounts

Experience Required: 10-15 Years

Qualification: Chartered Accountant (CA) / Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Only 1st or 2nd attempt

Role Overview:

We are seeking an experienced and qualified finance professional to lead financial operations within a manufacturing and project-based environment. The ideal candidate will bring strong expertise in financial reporting, compliance, cost management, and capital planning, with exposure to both operational finance and strategic project evaluation.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Financial Reporting & Compliance

- Ensure accurate and timely preparation of financial statements in line with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

- Maintain compliance with local and international tax laws, including statutory audits and regulatory filings.

- Liaise with external auditors, tax advisors, and regulatory authorities as needed.

2. Cost Accounting & Controls

- Implement and maintain standard costing systems for manufacturing operations.

- Analyze cost variances and provide actionable insights for operational efficiency.

- Monitor inventory valuation and cost of goods sold (COGS) accuracy.

3. Budgeting & Forecasting

- Lead the annual budgeting process, working closely with cross-functional teams.

- Develop rolling forecasts and perform variance analysis to support business decision-making.

- Track financial KPIs and prepare monthly/quarterly financial review reports.

4. Working Capital Management

- Optimize working capital by managing inventory levels, receivables, and payables.

- Identify opportunities to improve cash flow efficiency.

- Oversee credit controls and vendor payment cycles.

5. Capital Expenditure (Capex) Planning

- Prepare business cases for capital investments and assess financial viability.

- Conduct ROI analysis for proposed projects and track performance post-implementation.

- Collaborate with project teams to align financial planning with execution timelines.

Preferred Attributes:

- Experience in the manufacturing or engineering industry.

- Exposure to multi-country operations, preferably within Eastern Africa and/or India.

- Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or similar).

- Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills.