GENERAL MANAGER – FINANCE

SUMMARY:
An exciting opportunity exists for a commercially astute, strategically minded General Manager – Finance to join a leading supplier of equipment and solutions to the engineering, welding and mining industries.
Reporting to the Managing Director, the successful candidate will provide strategic financial leadership, drive commercial performance and strengthen financial governance across a diverse, multi-channel business.
This is a pivotal executive role requiring more than traditional financial management. The successful incumbent will be a trusted business partner to the Managing Director and EXCO, driving profitability, protecting margins, optimising working capital and enabling sustainable business growth.

POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities Lead the overall finance function, including financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting, management reporting and financial planning. Partner with the Managing Director and EXCO to drive revenue quality, profitability, cash generation and operational performance. Oversee financial modelling, scenario planning, performance dashboards and variance analysis to support informed business decisions. Take ownership of procurement strategy and governance, including supplier negotiations, sourcing strategies, cost optimisation and contract compliance. Drive effective working capital management, cash flow planning, stock control and inventory forecasting. Evaluate product margins, capital expenditure, rental fleet utilisation, return on investment and the commercial viability of business initiatives. Strengthen internal controls, risk management, corporate governance and compliance with statutory requirements. Ensure financial discipline through adherence to delegated authority levels, budget approvals and sound commercial decision-making. Lead and develop a high-performing finance team, embedding accountability, accuracy and continuous improvement. Collaborate across procurement, supply chain, operations, sales, rentals and other business units to align financial performance with strategic objectives. Leverage advanced reporting tools, financial modelling and AI-enabled analytics to improve forecasting, reporting and decision-making. Minimum Requirements A qualified Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) is strongly preferred and may be required for appointment. Minimum of seven years' post-articles experience in senior finance leadership, financial management or a similar role. Strong knowledge of IFRS, South African statutory requirements, VAT, imports and exports, foreign exchange contracts (FECs), corporate governance and internal controls. Demonstrated experience in budgeting, forecasting, working capital management, standard costing, audit, risk management and commercial negotiations. Advanced ERP, Excel, financial modelling, data analysis and dashboarding capabilities. Proven ability to translate financial information into practical commercial insights and strategic recommendations. Advantageous Experience Experience in one or more of the following environments will be highly advantageous: Equipment and plant rental Industrial sales and distribution Turnkey projects and automation Multi-channel trading or reseller businesses Welding industry Knowledge of AI applications in financial reporting, sales analysis, supply chain modelling and forecasting will be an additional advantage. Key Competencies The ideal candidate will demonstrate: Strong strategic and commercial acumen. Executive presence and the ability to influence senior stakeholders. Excellent negotiation and deal-evaluation skills. A strong understanding of procurement economics, stock management and supply chain operations. High standards of integrity, confidentiality and corporate governance. A data-driven approach to decision-making and problem-solving. Strong leadership, collaboration and team-development capabilities. Meticulous attention to detail, firm accountability and the ability to deliver under pressure.