Finance Manager

The Finance Manager is a critical leadership role within a large-scale poultry operation, responsible for driving financial stability and operational efficiency. This position oversees the end-to-end management accounting function, ensuring rigorous control over both operational expenditure (OPEX) and capital expenditure (CAPEX) to optimise production costs and infrastructure investment in a high-volume agricultural environment.

• Lead the management accounting function to provide accurate monthly financial reporting, variance analysis, and performance insights to the executive team.
• Develop and oversee the annual OPEX budget, monitoring departmental spend to ensure alignment with poultry production targets and cost-containment strategies.
• Manage the CAPEX lifecycle, from initial feasibility studies and budget approval to asset capitalisation and post-implementation reviews of farm infrastructure.
• Analyse production costs, including feed, labour, and veterinary expenses, to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve gross margins.
• Implement robust internal controls and financial governance frameworks to mitigate risk and ensure compliance with the Companies Act and POPIA.
• Coordinate with operational managers to align financial forecasts with biological asset growth and slaughter schedules.
• Oversee the preparation of cash flow forecasts to ensure sufficient liquidity for seasonal operational demands and planned capital projects.
• Manage and mentor a team of finance professionals, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous professional development.

• Minimum of 7 to 10 years of progressive experience in financial management, with at least 3 years in a senior leadership role.
• Proven track record of managing large-scale CAPEX projects within the agricultural or FMCG sector.
• Demonstrated expertise in cost accounting and budget management for high-volume production environments.
• Experience in managing financial reporting in accordance with IFRS and South African regulatory standards.
• Ability to translate complex financial data into actionable strategic insights for non-financial operational managers.

Qualifications:

• Honours degree in Accounting or Financial Management (NQF Level 8).
• Professional registration with SAICA (CA(SA)) or CIMA.

Key Skills: Advanced financial modelling and forecasting., Expertise in agricultural cost accounting and biological asset valuation., Proficiency in large-scale ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Sage, or Microsoft Dynamics)., Strategic budget optimisation and variance analysis., Strong leadership and people management capabilities.