Finance Manager

Department: Finance
Location: Africa
Relocation: This position requires relocation to the assigned African country.

Role Purpose

The Finance Manager will be responsible for overseeing and strengthening the financial management of the business in the assigned African country in a sustainable, compliant, and profitable manner.

The successful candidate will be required to relocate and be based in the assigned African country for the duration of the assignment. The role has overall responsibility for accounting, financial planning and control, reporting accuracy, cash flow management, and regulatory compliance, while ensuring alignment with financial policies and local statutory requirements.

This is a hands-on role that also acts as a senior financial partner to local management, providing financial insight, governance, and decision support to drive financial discipline, transparency, and sustainable business growth.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Management & Performance Control

• Manage the financial performance of the assigned country/business unit, including budgeting, forecasting, and monthly closing.
• Monitor and analyse P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow to ensure financial health and profitability.
• Drive cost control, margin improvement, and financial discipline across the organisation.
• Ensure effective working capital management, including AR/AP, DSO, and cash flow optimisation.
• Provide timely and accurate financial reporting, variance analysis, and management insights.
• Manage bank and intercompany reconciliations.
• Support strategic decision-making through financial modelling, business cases, and scenario analysis.

2. Financial Operations & Governance

• Oversee and perform end-to-end accounting operations, including GL, AP, AR, fixed assets, and statutory reporting.
• Ensure compliance with local laws, tax regulations, internal controls, and applicable accounting policies.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and manage relationships with auditors and financial advisors.
• Ensure accurate and compliant tax filings, including VAT, corporate tax, and withholding taxes.
• Maintain robust internal controls and risk management practices.
• Drive continuous improvement and standardisation of financial processes.

3. Business Partnering & Commercial Support

• Act as a finance business partner to operations, sales, and management teams.
• Support pricing, tenders, contracts, and commercial negotiations through financial analysis and recommendations.
• Evaluate new business opportunities, investments, and strategic initiatives.
• Provide financial guidance to improve profitability, efficiency, and scalability.
• Collaborate with regional and group finance teams to align reporting and financial strategy.

4. Systems, Digitalisation & Process Improvement

• Ensure effective implementation and use of ERP, finance systems, and reporting tools.
• Drive automation and digitalisation initiatives to improve accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.
• Improve data quality, dashboards, and management reporting.
• Support system upgrades and integration projects in coordination with IT and finance teams.

5. People Leadership & Development

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing finance team.
• Set clear objectives and KPIs, conduct performance reviews, and support development planning.
• Promote a culture of accountability, accuracy, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Support talent development and succession planning within the finance function.

Qualifications & Experience

• Strong experience in finance, accounting, or controlling, preferably within logistics, freight forwarding, maritime, or a similar industry.
• Solid understanding of accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.
• Experience in working capital management and cash flow optimisation.
• Proven ability to partner effectively with commercial and operational teams.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.
• Experience working in Africa and/or in a multicultural, fast-paced environment is an advantage.
• Professional qualifications such as CPA, ACCA, or CIMA are an advantage.
• Experience with IFRS and OHADA frameworks.
• Strong financial and analytical acumen.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong focus on governance, compliance, and risk management.
• Demonstrated leadership and people development capabilities.
• Proactive, hands-on, and ownership-driven approach.
• Change management and continuous improvement mindset.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to join a well-established organisation with a strong presence across Africa.
• Exposure to diverse projects and activities across maritime, logistics, oil & gas, heavy-lift, warehousing, and supply-chain sectors.
• Collaboration with experienced international and multicultural teams.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression within the organisation.

International relocation opportunity to
     the assigned African country.