Financial Director (DRC)

SUMMARY:
The Finance Director will lead the financial strategy and operations of a growing food processing company in the DRC. The role involves overseeing all financial activities—budgeting, reporting, compliance, controls, and treasury—with a strong focus on cost efficiency, local value creation, and operational alignment in a frontier market.

POSITION INFO:

Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Finance & Leadership

• Align finance with operational priorities such as cost control, raw material sourcing, yield optimization, and capex planning.
• Provide insights and analytics to support pricing strategy, product mix decisions, and plant performance.

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Lead the budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes.
• Produce timely monthly/quarterly reporting.
• Track operational KPIs—production cost per unit, yield loss, input cost variance, etc.

Financial Control & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with OHADA accounting standards, DRC tax laws, and IFRS (for group consolidation).
• Coordinate external audits and manage local tax filings.
• Develop and enforce effective internal controls, procurement oversight, and inventory reconciliation processes.

Cost & Inventory Management

• Work closely with plant operations, procurement, and supply chain to control manufacturing costs.
• Oversee inventory valuation and movement in line with international standards.

Treasury & Cash Flow

• Manage cash flow, working capital, and liquidity in a challenging FX and import-dependent environment.
• Build and maintain strong local banking relationships.
• Ensure transparent controls around supplier payments, capex disbursements, and payroll.

Team Leadership

• Lead and mentor a local finance team, promoting skill development, accountability, and succession planning.
• Embed a culture of ownership, integrity, and continuous improvement within the finance function.

Qualifications & Experience:
Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business
• Recognized professional certification (CPA, ACCA, CA)
• Minimum 6 years of finance experience.
• Strong background in manufacturing, agribusiness, or food processing
• Familiarity with cost accounting, factory finance, and supply chain finance
• Previous expatriate experience in Africa or DRC
• Professional working proficiency in French
• US GAAP
• Big 4 Audit Experience preferred
• Foreign exchange exposure preferred