Financial Manager - Top FMCG Importer & Distributor in Stellenbosch

Situated in the Stellenbosch Winelands, this well-known FMCG company are in search of FINANCIAL MANAGER to lead and direct the finance department in all aspects of accounting practices, warehousing and distribution. A detail-oriented and systematic minded individual with highly efficient and dedicated practices, a problem solver and commercially minded operator.

OVERVIEW

• The Financial Manager reports directly to the Managing Director and is responsible for leading the finance function and ensuring the financial health, control, profitability, and sustainability of the business.
• This role provides financial leadership across accounting, inventory management, procurement, imports, warehousing, logistics, and commercial operations. The Financial Manager partners with department leaders to drive profitability, improve processes, optimize working capital, and maintain strong financial governance throughout the organization.
• The successful candidate will be a commercially minded finance professional with strong leadership skills and experience within a distribution, wholesale, import, FMCG, or supply chain environment.
  
  

REQUIREMENTS

• BCom Accounting, Finance, or related qualification.
• Completed SAICA or SAIPA articles advantageous.
• 7-10 years relevant finance experience.
• Minimum 3 years in a finance management role.
• Experience within a distribution, wholesale, FMCG, manufacturing, or import environment.
• Strong knowledge of:
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Cash flow management
• Inventory valuation
• Landed costing
• Imports and forex
• Working capital management
• Financial controls and governance
• Advanced Excel and ERP system experience.
  
  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Leadership & Reporting

• Lead and manage the finance department.
• Oversee month-end, year-end, and statutory reporting processes.
• Review and approve monthly management accounts.
• Present financial results, risks, and opportunities to management.
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial information.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Business Planning

• Lead the annual budgeting process.
• Develop and maintain rolling forecasts.
• Monitor and report on budget performance across departments.
• Conduct scenario planning and financial modelling.
• Provide financial insights to support strategic decision-making.

Cash Flow & Working Capital Management

• Manage cash flow forecasting and liquidity requirements.
• Monitor debtor, creditor, and inventory performance.
• Drive initiatives to improve cash conversion and working capital efficiency.
• Manage banking relationships and financing requirements.

Inventory, Imports & Supply Chain Finance

• Oversee inventory valuation methodologies and stock control processes.
• Review inventory provisions, write-offs, and stock adjustments.
• Monitor inventory ageing and stock holding levels.
• Ensure landed costing methodologies are applied consistently and accurately.
• Provide oversight of import transactions, forex exposure, and foreign supplier relationships.
• Monitor gross profit and Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) performance.

Commercial Finance & Business Partnering

• Analyse profitability by customer, supplier, product category, and channel.
• Support pricing decisions and margin improvement initiatives.
• Partner with Operations, Procurement, Sales, and Logistics to improve business performance.
• Evaluate investments, projects, and business opportunities.

Financial Controls & Governance

• Develop and maintain internal controls and financial policies.
• Ensure compliance with approval frameworks and company procedures.
• Manage tax, VAT, audit, and statutory compliance requirements.
• Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks.

Leadership & Team Development

• Manage and develop the finance team.
• Review team performance and provide coaching and support.
• Drive a culture of accountability, accuracy, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure appropriate succession planning and skills development within the department.
  
  

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Strong commercial acumen
• Leadership and people management
• Strategic thinking
• Analytical and problem-solving ability
• Effective stakeholder management
• Strong decision-making ability
• Continuous improvement mindset