Finance Manager South Africa

Suntory Beverage and Food; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 800 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading beverage company in South Africa is seeking a Finance Manager responsible for complete financial management, including accounting, compliance, and providing business support. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Accounting, strong financial acumen, and extensive experience in financial operations. This role combines oversight of financial processes and strategic business partnering, offering opportunities for growth within a supportive and inclusive work environment.

Benefits

Work-life balance

Supportive work environment

Career growth opportunities

Qualifications

• Strong financial operations and management experience.
• Thorough knowledge of accounting procedures and principles.
• Solid post-tertiary experience in financial operations.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for complete financial management of the local business.
• Prepare month-end provisions and validate financial statements.
• Engage with auditors for year-end audit schedules.

Skills

Strong financial acumen

Effective communication

High accuracy and attention to detail

Organizational skills

Numerical reasoning

Education

Degree/Diploma in Accounting

Honours preferred

Tools

ERP systems (preferably 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.