Finance Manager

JOB DESCRIPTION
Finance Manager, East Africa

ROLE

Department

Finance

Location

East Africa (based in Tanzania)

Reporting to

Finance Director Africa and dotted line General Manager East Africa

Direct reports

Responsible for Finance Organization. Direct reports: Finance Teams across East Africa – 2 Countries.

PURPOSE

Take full responsibility for the monthly financial close process and reporting for the East African based business units ensuring accurate and timeous submission as per corporate guidelines.
Provides commercial advice to Local and Regional Leadership.
Lead through others to foster a culture of excellence in service delivery and commercial intent.
Implement and maintain a sound control environment in line with corporate policies.
Uses data and analytics to identify opportunities for working capital optimization, cost and Cash management, margin improvement and overall profit performance.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Full ownership of monthly reporting pack to regional Finance Director and FP&A team.
Manage finance teams in both sites (Tanzania and Kenya).
Prepare in-depth accurate financial analyses under strict deadlines.
High focus on analytical skills and reporting (bridge/waterfall analyses).
Partner with local Executive Team to assure achievement of the overall corporate objectives, including analyzing data to initiate improvements and cost savings.
Conduct business reviews with departments on a regular basis and assist with profit improvement programs.
Development and implementation of strategic financial strategy with assistance of Regional Finance Director.
Assist with onboarding new business units in the region (when applicable).
Continuously assess and update business risk and opportunity matrix.
Cash management - manage overall capex spend through assessment of investments; and improve working capital. Prepare monthly cashflow analyses to monitor cash resources and ensure sustainable cash position is maintained.
Tax Compliance – Main point of contact regarding revenue authority audits/submissions. Lead team during TRA and KRA audits and dispute resolutions.
Lead the monthly forecasting and annual budgeting process.
Review and advise senior management on business drivers impacting management operating profit. Evaluate and apply Capex effectively for the Region in line with strategic imperatives.
Asset Productivity: Determine where capital should be applied and pricing set to permit reinvestment; Ensure controls are in place to minimize asset depletion; Ensure integrity exists to carrying value of assets in the balance sheet; Minimize working capital to maximize cash generation and ensure financial information is secure and controlled.
Quality: Set and monitor KPIs in Finance to measure and improve performance; Benchmark to improve service levels; Provide timely, accurate and efficient deployment of financial information to the business to allow well informed decisions to be made.
Technology: Deliver seamless integration of financial systems; Review system requirements and adjust according to business needs; ensure ERP systems deliver to enable visibility for decision making; Lead process improvement across the region for Finance.
Corporate Governance: Ensure all business risks (i.e. internal and external audits) are managed, and controls are in place in line with corporate objectives and recognised accounting principles; determination and execution of financial/business policy.
Ensure compliance with internal controls and policies for the organization.
People: Develop, retain, assess, train and create succession of talent pool critical to finance function and broader business performance; guide and influence peers and other leadership team members to ensure full disclosure exists before critical decision making.
Ability to effectively lead and manage appropriately sized finance teams.
Strong understanding of the full business structure and value chain.

Key Contacts:
Internal

Regional Finance Director and General Manager East Africa – business and investment performance, corporate governance, monthly and statutory financial standards, internal controls and audit accountability.
Africa Exco members: strategy, business reviews, day to day business issues.
Global/Divisional Finance and FP&A teams: policy, reporting and representation on behalf of the Regional General Manager.
Regional Operations: Driving for effective working relationships, accuracy and timely delivery of KPI’s. Manage the relationship with the global shared services team.

External

Legal counsel – pertaining to any matters arising from business activities and audits.
Statutory audit/tax – Full responsibility for managing annual engagements.
Secretarial – Engage and maintain relationship with stakeholders to ensure up to date annual filings and compliance with local companies act requirements.

SKILLS, ATTRIBUTES, QUALIFICATIONS

A relevant degree and appropriate professional qualifications (CPA minimum) are required.
Minimum 10 years senior finance management experience.
Exposure to global multinational group reporting standards and policies.
Experienced leader of finance teams.
Strong analytical skills and capable to work under pressure.
High level of attention to detail.
Excellent communication and problem-solving skills
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Broad strategic thinker.
Thrives in a fast-paced environment.
Focus on deadlines and priority setting.
Model corporate values and principles.