Financial Manager

Communicate Finance; Durban North; On-site; ZAR 650,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

Communicate Finance in Durban North is seeking a skilled Financial Manager to lead the finance function as it transitions in-house. The role requires hands-on involvement in day-to-day financial operations within a retail or food & beverage environment, providing strategic and operational financial insights.

The ideal candidate will hold a CA(SA) qualification and have a minimum of 5 years' post-articles experience. Strong stakeholder engagement skills and operational acumen are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in retail and/or food & beverage – essential.
• Solid profit, margin, and ROI analysis capability.
• Able to operate at both strategic and hands-on levels.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of finance function transitioning in-house.
• Prepare and present monthly management accounts.
• Work closely with operations to understand cost drivers.

Skills

Retail and/or food & beverage experience

Operational and commercially minded

Profit, margin, and ROI analysis

Strong communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Education

CA(SA)

Minimum 5+ years’ post-articles experience

Job description

Financial Leadership & Strategy

• Take ownership of the finance function transitioning from outsourced to fully in-house
• Partner closely with the CEO and executive team to support strategic and operational decision-making
• Provide commercially focused financial insights with a strong profit and ROI mindset

Operational & Commercial Finance

• Hands‑on involvement in day‑to‑day finance within a retail / food & beverage environment
• Work closely with Operations to understand cost drivers, margins, and store‑level performance
• Analyse profitability, pricing, wastage, and operational efficiencies
• Go beyond dashboards—actively engage in the detail and the drivers behind the numbers

Management Reporting & Controls

• Prepare and present monthly management accounts with meaningful operational commentary
• Budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis
• Cash flow management and working capital optimisation
• Ensure robust financial controls, compliance, and governance

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work closely with Group HR, Group Operations, and Marketing at head office
• Act as a trusted business partner across the organisation

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in retail and/or food & beverage – essential
• Strong operational and commercially minded Financial Manager
• Solid profit, margin, and ROI analysis capability
• Comfortable operating at both strategic and hands‑on levels
• Able and willing to get involved in the detail and day‑to‑day actuals
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Qualifications

• CA(SA) – essential
• Minimum 5+ years’ post‑articles experience
• Previous experience in a Financial Manager or Finance Business Partner role