Commercial Finance Analyst

Lindt & Sprüngl; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading chocolate manufacturer in South Africa is seeking a Finance Business Partner to support their supply chain team's financial insights and decisions. The ideal candidate will conduct performance analyses, lead non-financial reporting, and maintain product costs. A university degree, analytical experience, and strong Excel skills are required. This role combines financial acumen with operational support, contributing to successful reporting and data coordination efforts.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years’ experience in a finance analytical role.
• Experience in accounting/controlling or internal/external audit.
• Strong sustainability interest or knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Support supply chain team with financial insights.
• Conduct ongoing performance analysis and recommendations.
• Lead implementation of non-financial reporting in South Africa.

Skills

Attention to detail

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Strong Excel skills

Education

University degree; ideally studying towards a CIMA qualification

Tools

SAP

Job description

Job Description

Lindt & Sprüngli (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd (Lindt SA) started operations in May 2011 and forms part of the Lindt & Sprüngli group of companies. With more than 150 employees, Lindt SA is based in Cape Town with a strong regional presence in Johannesburg, Durban and Port Elizabeth and a network of 17 Lindt retail stores. As a global leader in the premium chocolate sector, Lindt & Sprüngli looks back on almost 175 years of tradition that began in Zurich, Switzerland. Today, quality chocolate products are made at 12 owned production sites in Europe and the USA, and distributed through 28 subsidiary companies, branch offices and a network of over 100 independent distributors worldwide. The Lindt & Sprüngli Group reported sales of CHF 5.47 billion in 2024 and employs 14,600 people.

Position Purpose

The Finance Business Partner supports the supply chain team by providing financial insights on supply‑chain activities and supporting decision making. The role conducts ongoing performance analysis, offers recommendations for profitable growth, and leads the implementation of non‑financial reporting in South Africa. Key functions include:

• Maintaining product costs and controlling‑related master data within SAP.
• Preparing operations‑related reports and analysis, including cost of goods calculation, inventory and distribution accounting for both retail and wholesale.
• Coordinating, implementing and leading non‑financial reporting, including partnership with the Group NFR Champion and group NFR controller.

Key Responsibilities

Supply Chain (50%)

COGS

• Maintain integrity of standard costs in the ERP system, including annual reviews of all standard costs.
• Maintain integrity of controlling‑related master data in the ERP.
• Assist with the set‑up of new items in the ERP and the NPD (New Product Development) process.
• Support the Head of Commercial Finance for the annual strategic plan, budget process, and April and August revisions to financial estimates for COGS.
• Support the Head of Commercial Finance for monthly review of COGS variance (PPV, efficiency and over/under absorption).

Supply Chain

• Provide support and analyse operating expenses of the Supply Chain function.
• Assist the budget process from preparation to implementation for the Supply Chain function, including distribution, operating expense, third‑party purchases and subcontracting (co‑packing).

Internal Reporting

• Ad‑hoc support and assistance to finance/controlling team.
• Back‑up support for TAGETIK reporting and month‑end closing procedures.
• Prepare monthly COGS variance analysis and other supply‑chain related reports.

Commercial Support

• Coordinate with Marketing and Operations costing simulations as part of the NPD process.
• Support business case presentation for Supply Chain projects.
• Assist with ad‑hoc business analysis and commercial support as needed.

Non‑Financial Reporting (50%)

Local Lead

• Define and implement the non‑financial reporting process in close collaboration with Group NFR Champion/Controller.
• Act as first point of contact for Non‑Financial Reporting both within the local organization and with the Group NFR Champion/Controller.

Data Coordination

• Coordinate internal non‑financial reporting closings for budget and latest estimates.
• Support Data Collector and Validator in the collection and review of relevant data, including coordination of local data collection processes.
• Support the CFO in plausibility checks of data and act as Data Validator for KPIs appointed by the CFO.
• Safeguard data submission deadlines for the local subsidiary as defined by Group Controlling and adhere to principles set out in the non‑financial reporting manual.
• Participate in group audit processes if required and act as first point of contact for local audit processes.
• Follow up on recommendations from the Group or local auditor.
• Participate in non‑financial budget and year‑end review meetings.

Regulatory & Manual

• Track developments in reporting standards and local legislations, assessing impact on reporting.
• Attend and deliver NFR training (train‑the‑trainer) to local staff.
• Inform the Group NFR Champion/Controller about potential group‑wide impact when necessary.
• Participate in review rounds of the Non‑Financial Reporting Manual and provide feedback.
• Coordinate yearly update calls of changes to the Manual.
• Train local data collectors and validators as per Group requirements.
• Co‑operate with the dedicated LICS champion to define local application of group‑defined standard controls.
• Perform defined LICS controls in line with description in BWise, adhering to principles of the non‑financial reporting manual, or coordinate LICS control performance with the local champion.

Personal Characteristics

• Excellent attention to detail.
• High interpersonal skills with ability to engage, communicate and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Methodical and structured approach to tasks.
• Ability to set priorities and clear targets.
• High flexibility.
• Capacity to grow with increasing responsibilities and business size.

Skills and Competencies Required

• University degree; ideally studying towards a CIMA qualification.
• Minimum two years’ experience in a finance analytical role.
• Highly numerate with excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Experience in accounting/controlling or internal/external audit with strong sustainability interest or sustainability reporting knowledge and affinity for data collection.
• Strong Excel skills; SAP experience considered an advantage.