Financial Manager at Empact Group

Job Description

• The successful candidate will serve as a trusted financial business partner to the Group’s General Managers, Operations teams and Functional Heads, providing strategic financial insights, commercial decision support and proactive recommendations to improve profitability, manage costs and enhance operational efficiency.
• This role requires a hands-on finance leader who combines strong technical accounting knowledge with commercial acumen, analytical capability and the ability to build effective relationships across the business.

Minimum Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting or a related field, or more than 12 years of relevant and demonstrable experience.
• A minimum of 4 years’ experience in financial management, preferably within the catering, food services, hospitality or a related industry.
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting, IFRS, budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis and management accounting.
• Demonstrated experience in financial planning, cost control, profitability analysis, cash flow management and credit control.
• Proven ability to partner with senior operational stakeholders and provide commercial financial insights to support business decisions.
• Experience in financial controls, reconciliations, audit processes and financial risk management.
• Strong analytical, communication, problem-solving and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• CA(SA) or CIMA qualification would be advantageous.
• Experience in a multi-site, contract catering, food services, facilities management or other operationally intensive business environment.
• Experience with SAP or a comparable financial management system.
• Previous experience managing and developing finance teams.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Reporting and Performance Management

• Oversee monthly financial reviews to ensure revenue and costs are accurately reported and aligned with business performance.
• Analyse financial results, gross profit margins, unit and regional profitability, identifying trends, variances and opportunities for improvement.
• Prepare and review management reports, journals and balance sheet reconciliations in accordance with reporting deadlines and IFRS requirements.
• Provide accurate, timely financial information and actionable insights to support operational decision-making.
• Develop and monitor turnaround plans to address underperforming units, cost pressures and budget shortfalls.

Financial Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting

• Lead and coordinate budgeting, forecasting and financial planning activities across areas of responsibility.
• Develop financial models and forecasts to support business planning and strategic objectives.
• Monitor actual performance against budget and forecast, identify risks and variances, and recommend corrective actions.
• Support capital expenditure planning and resource allocation through financial analysis and investment assessments.
• Partner with operational leadership to implement and track initiatives aimed at improving financial performance.

Commercial Finance, Cash Flow and Credit Control

• Ensure all active contracts are accurately billed and that billing discrepancies are promptly resolved.
• Monitor cash flow, working capital and liquidity to support sustainable business operations.
• Drive effective credit control and debt collection initiatives to achieve debtor-day targets and minimise overdue debt.
• Work closely with Operations to manage customer credit exposure, payment terms, contract profitability and collections.
• Build constructive customer relationships and ensure financial queries are resolved professionally and within agreed timelines.

Financial Controls, Compliance and Risk Management

• Oversee fixed asset registers, capital expenditure transactions, stock transfers and related reconciliations.
• Review purchases for budget compliance, appropriate authorisation and accurate general ledger and cost-centre allocation.
• Identify financial and operational risks and implement appropriate controls.
• Ensure compliance with relevant financial policies, procedures, legal requirements and regulatory standards.
• Coordinate and resolve audit queries within required timeframes.

Business Partnering and Stakeholder Management

• Act as a key financial partner to General Managers, Operations, Sales, Procurement and Functional Heads.
• Provide proactive financial advice on new customers, contracts, commercial terms, profitability and operational performance.
• Present financial information in a clear and practical manner to support informed business decisions.
• Build collaborative relationships across the business and promote continuous improvement in financial processes.

Leadership and Team Development

• Lead and develop the billing, accounts receivable and financial administration teams.
• Provide coaching, guidance and training in accounting processes, SAP and financial reporting.
• Promote a culture of teamwork, accountability, service excellence, customer focus and continuous improvement.
• Identify opportunities to improve systems, reporting capabilities and operational effectiveness.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong commercial acumen and financial analysis capabilities.
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills.
• Experience with SAP or a comparable financial management system.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong problem-solving, planning and organisational abilities.
• High attention to detail, accuracy and financial integrity.
• Ability to influence stakeholders, challenge financial performance constructively and drive accountability.
• A proactive, solutions-oriented approach with a focus on continuous improvement.