COMMERCIAL FINANCE MANAGER

Econofoods; Bellville; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A fast-growing FMCG Retail company in Bellville is seeking a Commercial Financial Manager. This role involves partnering with Merchandise and Food Services units, focusing on financial planning, analysis, and business partnering to drive sales and margin growth. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Finance and relevant experience. Join us to support our mission of delivering quality products and exceptional service to our customers.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Opportunities for growth

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Strong experience in financial planning and analysis with a focus on retail or FMCG.
• Ability to influence stakeholders with data-driven insights.
• Experience managing budgets and expense control.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage budgeting, forecasting, and performance tracking for Merchandise and B2B.
• Work closely with executives to align financial goals with commercial strategies.
• Ensure adherence to financial controls and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Data-driven decision making

Business partnering

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting or related field

Tools

Financial modeling software

Excel

Job description

Econofoods is a fast-growing FMCG Retail company specializing in frozen foods. Dedicated to delivering high-quality products at unbeatable prices, we prioritize customer satisfaction every single day. Our commitment to excellence, simplicity and our vibrant colourful people working at Econofoods sets us apart in the industry. Central to our identity is our unique HO HOLA Culture, characterized by appreciation and recognition. We celebrate the contribution of every individual and foster a supportive environment where everyone can thrive.

We are currently seeking a dynamic individual to join our team and contribute to our ongoing success. If you are passionate about delivering exceptional customer service, collaborating with a diverse team, and embracing continuous learning and growth, Econofoods could be the perfect fit for you. Join us in our mission to provide quality products, value, and service to our customers, every single day.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Commercial Financial Manager will act as a strategic finance partner to the Merchandise function (the heart of the business) and Food Services (B2B) business units. This role is critical in driving sales volume growth, margin per kilogram improvement, and margin rands growth across both Retail and B2B channels. The successful candidate will provide deep financial insights, leveraging internal and external data to influence decision-making and optimize performance in a highly competitive and challenging trade environment.

Key Responsibilities

• FINANCIAL PLANNING and ANALYSIS
• Develop and manage budgeting, forecasting, and performance tracking for Merchandise and B2B
• Provide scenario analysis and margin optimization strategies to support pricing, promotions, and assortment decisions.
• Monitor sales volume, margin per kilogram, and margin rands against plan and identify corrective actions.
• BUSINESS PARTNERING
• Work closely with the Merchandise Executive, and B2B Head of Sales to align financial goals with commercial strategies.
• Support category managers and B2B sales managers with actionable insights to drive growth.
• Act as a trusted advisor, challenging assumptions and influencing decisions with data-driven recommendations.
• INSIGHT AND ANALYTICS
• Deliver detailed margin analysis, including supplier funding, rebates, and cost-to-serve metrics.
• Identify and manage key levers to balance:
• Sales Volume Growth (e.g., pricing, promotions, assortment depth)
• Margin per Kilogram (e.g., mix management, supplier negotiations, shrink control)
• Margin Rands Growth (e.g., upselling, cross-selling, optimizing high-margin categories)
• Rebate Management (e.g., ensuring growth hurdles are met and the Sally’s and Tally’s get recorded timely and correctly)
• Customer segmentation (e.g., Foods Services vs Wholesale)
• Product mix (e.g., per Product category)
• Regional performance trends (across Sales Teams) and opportunities for margin improvement.
• EXPENSE MANAGEMENT
• Manage salary budgets and traveling costs within Merchandise and Food Services functions.
• Ensure cost efficiency while supporting operational effectiveness.
• Track and report variances against budget, recommending corrective actions where necessary.
• RISK AND COMPLIANCE
• Ensure adherence to financial controls, company policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Manage risk assessments related to pricing, supplier agreements, and credit exposure in B2B.
• LEADERSHIP AND COLLABORATION
• Foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Supply Chain, Operations, and Commercial teams to ensure alignment on financial objectives.