Commercial Finance Business Lead CA(SA)

Syndicate Personnel Specialists; Durban; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Syndicate Personnel Specialists partners with a FMCG powerhouse to recruit a Commercial Finance Business Lead for South Africa. This pivotal role will shape strategy, ensure financial stewardship, and drive in-year growth across SA, collaborating with the executive team, customer development and sales leaders.

The ideal candidate has 12–15 years of senior finance and extensive commercial partnering experience, with strong forecasting, pricing, ROI and resource allocation capabilities, plus

Qualifications

• Senior finance leader with 12–15 years in commercial finance.
• Extensive commercial finance partnering with Sales/Customer Development teams.
• Expert in forecasting, pricing, ROI and resource allocation.
• Strong S&OP forecasting and performance management experience.
• Proven track record influencing executive stakeholders in complex environments.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Sales and Customer Development to drive profitable growth and negotiations.
• Lead the commercial finance agenda: budgeting, pricing, ROI, and trade spend.
• Oversee S&OP sales forecasting with accuracy and alignment to business plans.
• Shape medium- to long-term commercial strategy across customers, channels, and innovation pipelines.
• Drive margin improvement and working capital discipline across commercial operations.
• Build and inspire a high-performing, diverse team and lead change.

Skills

Partner with Sales

Forecasting

Pricing strategy

ROI analysis

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Education

CA(SA) qualification

Job description

I am partnering with a FMCG powerhouse - a business with iconic brands . Purpose-driven and performance-focused, it is recognised for building exceptional leaders while driving sustainable growth at scale globally.

We are seeking a Commercial Finance Business Lead to lead the commercial finance and performance agenda across South Africa. This pivotal leadership role will partner closely with the executive team, customer development, and sales leaders to shape strategy, ensure financial stewardship, and deliver in-year growth.

The mandate:

• Partner with Sales and Customer Development teams to drive profitable growth, joint business planning, and terms negotiations.
• Lead the commercial finance agenda - resource allocation, pricing, ROI on customer investments, and trade spend optimisation.
• Oversee the S&OP sales forecasting process, ensuring accuracy, rigour, and alignment with business plans.
• Shape medium- to long-term commercial strategy across customers, channels, and innovation pipelines.
• Drive margin improvement, working capital discipline, and compliance across commercial operations.
• Build, develop, and inspire a high-performing, diverse team while championing change and inclusion.

The profile we're seeking:

• Senior finance and commercial leader with 12-15 years' experience, including extensive commercial finance partnering with Sales/Customer Development teams.
• Proven expertise in forecasting, pricing, ROI, and resource allocation.
• Strong experience in S&OP sales forecasting and performance management.
• Track record of influencing executive-level stakeholders and driving results in complex environments.
• Professional finance qualification (CA)SA strongly preferred.
• Resilient, commercially sharp, and a proven leader of people and change.

This is a rare opportunity to play a central role in shaping the commercial and financial direction of a global organisation that combines scale, purpose, and performance.