SUMMARY:
Our client is looking for an experienced Senior Financial Analyst to support financial planning, performance tracking, cost management, and profitability analysis across manufacturing operations as well as sales and distribution activities.

POSITION INFO:

Key Responsibilities

Financial Accounting, Expense Control & Business Partnering

Our client is looking for a professional who can ensure accurate financial accounting and effective business partnering by monitoring expenses, maintaining correct journal allocations, and managing purchase requisition approvals.
Key responsibilities include:

• Ensuring all journal entries are accurately captured and allocated to the correct accounts and cost centres
• Monitoring operating expenses and ensuring alignment with budgets
• Reviewing and approving purchase requisitions in line with policy and budget controls
• Providing financial insights and variance explanations to business unit managers
• Resolving accounting queries and maintaining accurate audit trails

Financial Planning & Forecasting

The successful candidate will support strategic decision-making through accurate financial forecasting and planning.
Responsibilities include:

• Developing monthly, quarterly, and annual financial forecasts
• Supporting strategic and operational planning cycles
• Conducting scenario and sensitivity analysis
• Collaborating with business units to gather assumptions and validate financial projections

Revenue & Sales Performance Analysis

Our client requires someone who can deliver data-driven insights into sales performance to support revenue growth and sales strategy.
Responsibilities include:

• Tracking sales performance against targets
• Analysing revenue across regions, product lines, and customer segments
• Preparing sales performance dashboards and management reports
• Identifying trends, growth opportunities, and underperforming areas
• Supporting sales pipeline and conversion analysis

Pricing & Margin Management

The role involves monitoring pricing strategies to ensure competitiveness while protecting profit margins.
Responsibilities include:

• Analysing product pricing and margin performance
• Monitoring pricing deviations, discount structures, and promotional pricing
• Conducting price elasticity and margin analysis
• Supporting pricing adjustments in collaboration with sales and marketing teams

Logistics & Distribution Cost Analysis

The Senior Financial Analyst will analyse logistics and distribution costs to improve cost efficiency while maintaining service levels.
Key duties include:

• Analysing transportation, warehousing, and freight costs
• Calculating cost-to-serve by customer, region, and distribution channel
• Identifying cost-saving opportunities with supply chain teams
• Supporting logistics strategy through financial insights

Customer & Product Profitability Analysis

Our client is seeking a candidate who can provide detailed profitability insights to support strategic decision-making.
Responsibilities include:

• Conducting profitability analysis by customer, product, and region
• Identifying underperforming products or customer segments
• Supporting pricing and discount decisions with profitability insights
• Monitoring product life cycles and portfolio performance

Sales Commission Management

The role includes managing the commission process to ensure accuracy and alignment with sales performance.
Responsibilities include:

• Calculating and validating commission payments
• Monitoring commission spend against budget
• Supporting the development and adjustment of commission structures
• Working with HR and Sales to ensure alignment with performance goals

Management Reporting & Performance Analysis

The Senior Financial Analyst will provide leadership with meaningful financial insights and performance analysis.
Responsibilities include:

• Preparing monthly management reports and dashboards
• Conducting variance analysis against budgets and forecasts
• Analysing key financial metrics and performance drivers
• Delivering actionable insights to senior management

Financial Modelling & Business Case Support

Our client requires strong financial modelling capability to evaluate strategic initiatives.
Responsibilities include:

• Developing financial models such as ROI, NPV, DCF, and breakeven analyses
• Evaluating capital expenditure proposals and investment opportunities
• Conducting scenario and sensitivity analysis
• Presenting financial risks and opportunities to leadership

Budgeting & Cost Management

The successful candidate will support budget development and cost optimisation initiatives.
Responsibilities include:

• Coordinating the annual budgeting process
• Monitoring departmental budget performance
• Identifying cost trends and potential savings
• Analysing fixed and variable cost drivers

Strategic & Operational Support

Our client is looking for someone who can act as a financial partner to operational teams.
Responsibilities include:

• Participating in strategic planning discussions
• Providing financial input into pricing, expansion plans, and operational decisions
• Recommending initiatives to improve profitability
• Facilitating communication between finance and operational teams

Data Analysis & Visualisation

The role involves improving financial insights through data analytics and reporting tools.
Responsibilities include:

• Developing dashboards and visual reports using tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or Excel
• Analysing large datasets to identify trends and anomalies
• Automating reporting processes where possible
• Presenting financial information in an accessible format

Process Improvement & Efficiency

Our client values continuous improvement within the finance function.
Responsibilities include:

• Streamlining reporting and analytical processes
• Improving tools, templates, and systems
• Increasing automation and reducing manual tasks
• Documenting finance processes and procedures

Compliance & Financial Controls

The Senior Financial Analyst will help ensure financial accuracy and regulatory compliance.
Responsibilities include:

• Ensuring financial reporting aligns with policies and accounting standards
• Supporting internal and external audit processes
• Maintaining proper documentation and audit trails
• Safeguarding data integrity and confidentiality

Stakeholder Management

The role requires effective collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
Responsibilities include:

• Building strong working relationships across departments
• Participating in stakeholder meetings and providing financial guidance
• Managing expectations and resolving issues in line with company policies
• Providing advice on finance-related matters affecting stakeholders

Qualifications & Experience

Our client is looking for candidates with the following:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Management Accounting, or a related field (NQF 8)
• CIMA registration preferred
• Minimum 7 years’ experience in Accounting or Management Accounting
• 3–5 years’ experience in a management or senior analytical role

Technical Skills

• Strong computer literacy (MS Office Suite, ERP/SAP systems, and finance software)
• Advanced financial modelling capability
• Advanced Excel skills
• Strong knowledge of financial processes, controls, and reporting

 

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