Finance Business Partner at Tongaat Hulett

Purpose of Role:

• To provide a high level of financial skills combined with superior business acumen, commercial sense and strategic intelligence plus the ability to understand the strategic framework of any business process needs to be combined with good project management skills, as well as communication, interpersonal and organisational skills.
• In addition, to provide financial and administration support to the operations in respect of  in the local Operations and export markets.

Qualifications & Experience Required: 

• Must be a qualified Chartered Accountant (CA) SA
• At least 5 - 10 Years of Relevant Experience in a Sugar Environment, with a successful track record at middle management in a large organisation. Will be Indirectly responsible for financials of approximately R10 billion.
• Must be Self Motivated and Able to Work with Minimum Supervision and be willing to work Under Pressure, Good Communication & Interpersonal Skills.

Technical Competencies: 

• A strong business systems/process improvement capability.
• Commercially astute, good negotiation skills
• Knowledge and understanding of a Manufacturing Industry.
• Knowledge or experience on SAP is essential.
• Business, Commercial and financial acumen – Understands industry and business trends, business models, challenges, opportunities and processes and how they impact on financial, customer, people and business performance and results.

Behavioural Competencies:

• Experienced change, people leader and coach, with the ability to delivering performance through people, teams and a matrixed organization
• Culturally aware and able to adapt leadership style in any situation and ability to work under extreme timelines.
• Communication – Communicates effectively and shares information and knowledge using appropriate channels and technology to both individuals and groups

Top Accountabilities:

Financial and Management Reporting:

• Perform financial evaluations and provide information to assist with commercial and business decisions. 
• Review product and customer profitability reports.  Review monthly agent commission and incentive calculations
• Review and monitor Raw Material and Commodity Prices and liaise with Strategic Sourcing/Procurement to ensure favourable pricing and commercial terms
• Review and monitor stock return due to quality and combustion and assess impact on the business
• With the assistance of the Sales Manager stay abreast of competitor trends and assess impact on business
• Weekly assess the progress of distribution of sales and assess impact on monthly financial and cash flow forecasts.

Commercial Management:

• Monitors the impact of Operational Raw Materials requirements to ensure alignment with latest forecasts
• Monitors the trend in Cost of Sales in comparison to Budget/Forecasts and communicates areas of concern with Senior Management to address 
• Monitors the trend in Selling Price and GP Margins and assesses the impact on Budgets/Forecasts and communicates areas of concern with Senior Management to address
• Maintains good relationships with Key Suppliers, Credit Insurers and TH Strategic sourcing/Procurement
• Work with TH Strategic Sourcing/Procurement with regards to: Supplier Contracts/SLAs, Tender Processes.
• Product Pricing update review.

Budgeting & Forecasting:

• Prepare detailed revenue (list price, rebates, discounts) and raw material budgets in line with budgetary assumptions and operational inputs. 
• Prepare sensitivities on key assumptions and provide meaningful variance analysis.
• Responsible for reviewing the standard cost per ton for the Bill of Materials (BOM).

Sugar Industry (SASA) Obligations: 

• Oversee the calculation & correct payment or receipt of the Molasses carry over. 
• Responsible for the preparation of the Molasses Industry season end audit agreed upon procedures.
• Monthly SASA report submission

Systems of internal control and risk management

• Implement and maintain standards and systems of internal control.
• Involvement in risk identification and risk management processes.
• Stock reconcillation review. Ensuring SAP and underlying Production systems are aligned and reconcilled. 
• Work with Business Assurance department to improve control environment. 
• Liase and interact with Internal & External Auditors 
• Communicating with various levels within and outside of the organisation.