Group Financial Manager – Operations

Juanie Nel; Stellenbosch; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Fort Hare invites applications for a Group Financial Manager - Operations to lead the financial function across the Operations Division, ensuring accurate reporting and robust governance. You will partner with executive leadership to guide budgeting, forecasting, investments, and strategic projects.

The role focuses on delivering timely insights, improving margins, and strengthening internal controls within a dynamic operations environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified CA(SA) or CIMA (CGMA).
• Minimum 5–8 years of relevant financial management experience.
• Experience in agricultural, manufacturing, logistics, or operational environments is advantageous.
• Experience with financial modelling and business evaluations.
• Experience in managing financial teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the financial function across the Operations Division with governance and controls.
• Deliver timely monthly and annual financial reporting and consolidation.
• Ensure IFRS compliance and enforce group policies and internal controls.
• Provide financial insights to drive profitability, growth and decisions.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, investment evaluation, and planning.
• Develop dashboards and performance metrics for executive and boards.
• Mentor the Operations finance team and support succession planning.

Skills

Advanced financial analysis

Budgeting and forecasting

Financial modelling

Performance management

Risk management

IFRS reporting

Advanced Excel

Education

CA(SA) or CIMA (CGMA)

Job description

My client, a nationally established group of companies, has an exciting opportunity for a Group Financial Manager - Operations to join their team.

The successful candidate will be a Qualified CA(SA) or have a CIMA (CGMA) qualification and experience in agricultural, manufacturing, logistics, or operational environments would be highly advantageous.

The key focus of the role is to provide accurate, timely, and meaningful financial analysis and reporting, translating financial information into actionable business insights. The position will also ensure effective financial risk management, robust internal controls, regulatory compliance, and appropriate governance across the Operations Division.

Through strong collaboration with operational and executive leadership, the role will contribute to strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, investment decisions, performance management, and continuous improvement, ensuring that financial resources are aligned with the company’s broader strategic objectives.

REQUIREMENTS

• Qualified CA(SA) or CIMA (CGMA).
• Minimum 5 – 8 years of relevant financial management experience.
• Experience in agricultural, manufacturing, logistics, or operational environments highly advantageous.
• Experience with financial modelling and business evaluations
• Experience in managing financial teams.

Technical Skills

• Advanced financial analysis.
• Budgeting and forecasting.
• Financial modelling.
• Performance management and KPI development.
• Risk management and internal control.
• IFRS and financial reporting.
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Leadership and Group Control

• Lead the financial function across the Operations Division, ensuring effective financial management, control, and governance.
• Deliver timely, accurate, and reliable monthly and annual financial reporting, including consolidation of relevant entities.
• Ensure compliance with IFRS, Group policies, and regulatory requirements, and implement best-practice financial controls.
• Partner with divisional and executive management, providing financial insights and recommendations to drive profitability, growth, and informed decision-making.
• Develop and implement financial strategies aligned with Group objectives, including evaluating the financial viability of projects, capital expenditure, investments, expansion, and new business opportunities.

Financial Reporting and Performance Management

• Lead monthly management reporting and analyse financial results, KPI's, trends, variances, risks, and opportunities.
• Develop meaningful management dashboards and performance reports, providing financial feedback to executive management and Boards.
• Promote data-driven decision-making and identify opportunities to improve financial and operational performance.

Operational Financial Support

• Support operational management with cost management, profitability analysis, and productivity and efficiency measurement.
• Analyse operational performance and drive initiatives that improve operating margins, returns, and overall efficiency.

Budgeting, Forecasting, and Planning

• Lead the annual Operations Division budgeting process and coordinate financial forecasting and scenario planning.
• Monitor performance against approved budgets, identify and manage financial risks, and support long-term strategic planning.

Cash Flow, Financing, and Working Capital

• Monitor divisional cash flow, financing requirements, and working capital to ensure optimal utilisation of resources.
• Support financing applications and engagement with financial institutions, while working closely with Treasury on financing and liquidity management.

Inventory and Asset Management

• Ensure effective control of inventory, fixed assets, and capital expenditure.
• Monitor inventory levels, turnover, and obsolescence risks, and evaluate returns on capital investments and infrastructure projects.
• Maintain appropriate controls over physical assets.

Risk, Control, and Compliance

• Identify and manage financial and operational risks and ensure compliance with Group policies, IFRS, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor internal controls and support internal and external audits.
• Foster a strong control environment and culture of ethical financial management.

Leadership and Team Development

• Lead, develop, and mentor the Operations finance team, promoting high performance, accountability, and collaboration with operational management.
• Develop future financial leaders and ensure effective succession planning within the division.

Business Development and Strategic Projects

• Evaluate new business opportunities, acquisitions, and expansion initiatives through robust financial modelling and business cases.
• Support due diligence processes and lead or contribute to strategic projects across the Operations Division.