Financial Manager

Location: Stellenbosch / Somerset West, Cape Town (Hybrid - 4 days in office, 1 day remote)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Reports to: CEO

About the Client
The client is a well-established supplier of quality timber, board products, hardware and building materials, serving contractors, builders, developers and homeowners across South Africa. The business operates multiple retail stores, a manufacturing depot, a property investment company, and supports an expanding national franchise network.
As the business continues to grow, they are seeking an experienced Financial Manager who can strengthen financial controls, improve operational efficiency and provide commercial insight to support strategic decision-making.

The Opportunity
This is a hands-on leadership role for a commercially minded finance professional who enjoys improving systems, building processes and working closely with operational teams.
You will oversee the day-to-day finance function while ensuring accurate reporting, strong financial governance and scalable financial processes across multiple business entities.
The successful candidate will be equally comfortable producing management accounts, reviewing stock controls, improving ERP processes and partnering with leadership on business growth initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Reporting

• Ensure all financial records are accurate and maintained on a daily basis
  
• Produce monthly management accounts by the 7th working day of each month
  
• Prepare consolidated monthly management accounts and financial reports across the group
  
• Support the consolidation of multiple operating entities into the group's holding company structure
  
• Ensure consistent accounting policies and financial reporting standards across all entities
  
• Manage month-end and year-end financial close processes
  
• Produce annual financial statements within one month of year-end
  
• Maintain accurate general ledger reconciliations and implement controls to identify anomalies
  
• Ensure financial information is accurate, timely and provides meaningful insights to support business decision-making
  

Budgeting & Cash Flow

• Prepare and monitor annual budgets for all business entities
  
• Produce monthly cash flow forecasts and projections
  
• Maintain weekly cash flow requirements and funding forecasts
  
• Assist directors with financial planning and banking relationships
  
• Support financing discussions through accurate financial reporting
  

Financial Controls & Compliance

• Strengthen internal controls and audit readiness
  
• Implement best-practice financial policies and procedures
  
• Ensure robust approval processes and financial governance
  
• Oversee insurance policies and insured assets across the group
  
• Support external auditors during annual audits
  

Stock & Operational Finance

• Oversee and validate stock takes across all locations
  
• Improve inventory controls and stock accuracy
  
• Analyse stock holding and identify opportunities to improve return on investment
  
• Review manufacturing costings and Bill of Materials (BOM) processes
  
• Assist with financial oversight of manufacturing operations
  

Process Improvement

• Review existing finance processes and identify efficiencies
  
• Implement scalable systems and workflows
  
• Streamline financial reporting and ERP utilisation
  
• Develop documented finance procedures and standard operating processes
  
• Identify opportunities for automation and continuous improvement
  

Commercial & Business Partnering

• Review supplier spend and identify cost-saving opportunities
  
• Support operational managers with financial insights
  
• Resolve supplier and debtor queries promptly
  
• Conduct periodic branch visits to review controls and documentation
  
• Partner with leadership to support business growth and operational efficiency
  

Team Leadership

• Support and mentor the finance team
  
• Allocate responsibilities to maximise efficiency
  
• Develop KPIs and accountability measures for finance administration staff
  
• Identify opportunities for team development and succession planning
  

Requirements

About You
You enjoy bringing structure to growing businesses and have experience improving finance functions during periods of change. You're equally comfortable producing management accounts, strengthening controls and helping implement the processes required for a multi-entity business to scale effectively.

Required Experience

• BCom in Accounting, Finance or Management Accounting
  
• 5+ years' experience in a Financial Manager or senior finance position in the retail industry
  
• Experience managing multi-entity financial reporting
  
• Strong management accounting experience
  
• Experience producing budgets, forecasts and cash flow projections
  
• Strong knowledge of financial controls and audit preparation
  
• Advanced Excel skills
  
• Experience working with ERP systems
  

Highly Desirable

• Completed SAICA or SAIPA articles
  
• Experience with multi-entity group structures and consolidated financial reporting.
  
• Experience supporting business restructures, entity consolidations or organisational growth projects.
  
• Manufacturing or production finance experience
  
• Import and inventory management exposure
  
• Experience with:
  
  • ERP Go / IQ Retail
    
  • SIFT Accounting
    
  • SimplyPay Payroll
    

Key Competencies

• Commercially minded
  
• Analytical and detail-oriented
  
• Process improvement mindset
  
• Strong problem-solving ability
  
• Excellent organisational skills
  
• Hands-on and willing to work alongside the team
  
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
  
• High integrity and accountability
  
• Able to balance strategic thinking with operational execution