Finance Manager South Africa

Suntory Beverage & Food France; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 800 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading beverage company based in Johannesburg seeks a Finance Manager responsible for the complete financial management of the local business. The ideal candidate will oversee accounting processes, ensure statutory compliance, and engage in business support. Candidates should have a Degree/Diploma in Accounting, and experience in FMCG or manufacturing is preferred. This role requires strong financial acumen, effective communication skills, and the ability to manage time effectively while working with diverse teams. Join us and embark on a fulfilling career journey.

Benefits

Supportive work environment

Work-life balance

Growth opportunities

Qualifications

• Solid post-tertiary experience in financial operations & management.
• Experience in FMCG or manufacturing is preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of accounting procedures and principles.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all accounting processes and statutory compliance.
• Deliver annual budgets and mid-term strategic plans.
• Engage with auditors and prepare year-end audit schedules.

Skills

Strong financial acumen

Effective communication and interpersonal skills

High accuracy and attention to detail

Organized & ability to multi-task

Strong numerical reasoning and quantitative skills

Education

Degree/Diploma in Accounting

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Applications

Job description

Who We Are

Suntory is a fast moving, agile and entrepreneurial business that is home to some of the nations most loved brands. The Suntory Group is one of the largest soft drinks companies and among the world’s leading consumer products companies. We offer a uniquely diverse portfolio of beverages enjoyed by millions across the globe

About your role

The Finance Manager for South Africa is a pivotal, hands-on role responsible for the complete financial management of the local business including overseeing all accounting processes, statutory compliance, managing financial controls, and providing business support. The Finance Manager is the sole finance resource in the region, reporting both to the local Head of Market and to the European headquarters based in Amsterdam.

What You’ll Do

Finance Business Partnering (FBP)

Navigate the business to Co-Pilot, challenge & be the Custodian of the Company’s assets

Deliver strong actionable business partnering through the monthly business processes with clear Risks & Opportunities outlook to drive actions (convert data into So What / Now What?

Business partner with Head of Market / General Manager Africa via Finance support on the short- & medium-term strategic plan, forecasts.

Deliver annual budgets / mid-term strategic plans with robust financial build up outlining clear assumptions

Month-End and Year-End Processes

Prepare / validate month end provisions / journals, reconciling all GL accounts and sending inter-company confirmations.

Prepare & submit monthly performance results of the business (reporting pack) P&L, variance analysis against budget and forecast, outlining trends and corrective actions

Engaging with auditors and the AFS preparation team, preparing year-end audit schedules and supporting documentation

Assisting with ad-hoc financial projects.

Ensure Financial Controls & Governance

Responsible for all Accounts Payables processes (create non-inventory related PO’s, process supplier invoices & payments, credit notes, manage open GR GL accounts etc.)

Responsible for Account Receivable related sub-processes (invoice processing for non-routine billings, customer receipt allocation, credit limits, AR aging etc.)

Maintain Fixed assets register, tagging, depreciation, inventory counts, disposals etc.

Prepare & validate all cost of goods related expenses

Cash forecasting as required, process bank transactions & statements reconciliation.

Process tax related transactions in SAP & ongoing engagement with European HQ Tax team

Manage the internal control & governance along with execution of other ad-hoc requests or responsibilities

What’s in it for you

Joining Suntory isn’t just about taking on a role, it’s about embarking on a career journey. You have the opportunity to work with talented, inspiring and authentic leaders and have the freedom to dream big and go for it (Yatte Minahare). At Suntory you’ll find a supportive work environment that values work life balance and that will help you realise your full potential and grow for good. Our People and Culture team are a team that genuinely care about creating a great experience for our employees and we would love you to be part of it.

What You Need to Be Successful

Essential Qualifications and Experience

Degree/Diploma in Accounting (Honours preferred).

Strong financial acumen, experience in FMCG or manufacturing preferred

Solid post-tertiary experience in financial operations & management.

Thorough knowledge of accounting procedures, principles, and financial operations.

Extensive experience with general ledger functions, background in accounts payable and receivable processes, journals, and reconciliations.

Key Competencies

Organized & ability to multi-task and manage time effectively, work with diverse cross-regional teams (Local / Europe).

Effective communication and interpersonal skills for stakeholder engagement.

High accuracy and attention to detail and able to work independently.

Ability to work under pressure and outside normal hours if required.

Strong numerical reasoning and quantitative skills.

Tools

Proficiency in ERP systems (preferably SAP) and Microsoft applications

Our DEI Commitment

At Suntory, we recognize that diverse knowledge, perspectives, and backgrounds contribute to our collective success. We are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals can bring their whole selves to work every day, regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, or any other protected characteristic.

Our recruitment and selection processes are designed to highlight what Suntory offers as an employer while allowing candidates to share their unique skills and experiences. We understand that career trajectories vary, and if you believe your experience/background can benefit our team, we encourage you to apply. We endeavor to make our interview process as inclusive as possible and offer reasonable accommodations as needed. Together, we can cultivate a workplace where everyone can thrive and propel our mission of Growing for Good.