Divisional Head - Finance

Farm Manager SA; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 600 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading agricultural firm in Cape Town, South Africa is seeking a Senior Finance Manager to drive financial strategy and ensure compliance with regulatory standards across multi-country operations. The ideal candidate will have a robust background in finance, with at least 7 years of experience in senior management roles. This role involves overseeing budgeting, risk management, and financial reporting while leading a geographically dispersed finance team. Experience in Agriculture, Mining, or Logistics is preferred, alongside the relevant qualifications.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7-12 years of progressive financial experience with five years in senior management.
• Experience in Agriculture, Mining, or Logistics sectors.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS and local accounting standards.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute financial strategy for divisional operations.
• Ensure compliance with tax laws and statutory reporting.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and performance monitoring.
• Lead financial planning for regional strategic initiatives.

Skills

Financial leadership

Team management

Strategic decision-making

Compliance and governance

Risk management

Education

Bachelors degree in finance or Accounting (NQF 8 or higher)

CA (SA) or CIMA qualification

Job description

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelors degree in finance, Accounting, or a related field (NQF 8 or higher); CA (SA) or CIMA qualification preferred.
• Minimum 712 years of progressive financial experience, with at least 57 years in senior management roles across multi-country operations.
• Demonstrated experience in Agriculture, Mining, Logistics, or similar sectors with complex operations.
• Strong track record of leading finance teams across multiple countries, implementing financial controls, and managing audits.
• Knowledge of IFRS, local accounting standards, taxation, and regulatory requirements in African countries.
• Duties & Responsibilities Strategic Financial Leadership & Business Partnership
• Define and execute the financial strategy for divisional operations across multiple countries and/or operations in line with the organisations overall business objectives.
• Partner with divisional leadership to provide financial insights that guide strategic decision-making, operational improvements, and investment planning.
• Develop financial models and scenario planning to support expansion, new market entry, and capital investment decisions.
• Monitor and analyse macroeconomic, currency, commodity, and geopolitical risks across markets to anticipate financial impact.
• Financial Management & Performance Oversight
• Ensure all operations deliver accurate, timely, and compliant financial reporting, including management accounts, operational dashboards, and consolidated divisional reports.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and performance monitoring for each country operation, ensuring alignment with approved divisional and corporate targets.
• Provide guidance and approvals for operational and capital expenditure, ensuring prioritization aligns with strategic goals.
• Review capital expenditure requests, draft DCFs and capital motivations.
• Lead the preparation of consolidated financial statements for the division, ensuring compliance with IFRS and local accounting standards.

COMPLIANCE, GOVERNANCE & RISK MANAGEMENT

• Ensure compliance with tax laws, statutory reporting requirements, foreign exchange regulations, and country-specific accounting standards.
• Implement robust internal controls and financial governance across all operations to safeguard assets and mitigate fraud or misstatement.
• Liaise with external auditors, regulators, banks, and other stakeholders to ensure all operations are fully compliant.
• Identify and manage financial risks, including commodity price volatility, currency exposure, and operational risks.

CASH FLOW, WORKING CAPITAL & CAPITAL ALLOCATION

• Oversee liquidity management for multiple operations, ensuring sufficient working capital and operational efficiency.
• Monitor and optimize working capital across receivables, payables, inventory, and cash balances.
• Advise on capital allocation, financing options to maximize ROI and ensure sustainable growth.
• Recommend and implement cost optimization strategies across regions while balancing operational needs.

STRATEGIC PROJECTS, SYSTEMS & DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

• Drive financial planning, oversight, and risk assessment for regional strategic initiatives, including expansion projects and capital investments.
• Lead the adoption and integration of financial systems, ERP solutions, and digital tools across multiple operations to standardize processes and improve data-driven decision-making.
• Ensure reporting systems are harmonized, enabling accurate and timely consolidation of financial information.

LEADERSHIP, TALENT MANAGEMENT & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

• Lead, mentor, and develop a geographically dispersed finance team, fostering a culture of high performance, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Establish regional finance policies and procedures to ensure consistency and compliance across operations.
• Serve as the key finance representative to external stakeholders, including government authorities, banks, investors, suppliers, and joint venture partners.
• Build strong partnerships with divisional, operational leaders, promoting finance as a trusted business advisor.