Financial Manager: Forestry at TWK Agri

Job Summary

• This role involves overseeing all financial activities, ensuring the financial health of the organisation, and providing strategic guidance to senior management.
• This role involves managing financial planning, reporting, budgeting, compliance functions, working capital, process optimisation, internal controls, pricing strategies, and production cost monitoring to optimise financial performance.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Develop and implement financial strategies to support business objectives
• Conduct financial analysis and modelling to evaluate business opportunities and risks
• Prepare and present financial forecasts and reports to senior management
• Assist the Finance Executive and lead the annual budgeting process, collaborating with department heads to align financial plans
• Monitor budget performance and provide variance analysis with actionable insights
• Revise forecasts as needed to reflect changes in business conditions
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
• Oversee the consolidation of financial reports for multiple business units
• Maintain compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements
• Manage cash flow to ensure adequate liquidity for operational needs
• Develop cash flow forecasts and analyse cash position to optimise working capital
• Implement strategies to improve cash conversion cycles and enhance working capital efficiency
• Monitor accounts receivable, accounts payable, and inventory levels to optimise working capital
• Identify financial risks and develop mitigation strategies
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, policies, and regulatory standards
• Coordinate internal and external audits, providing necessary documentation and support
• Manage capital expenditure projects, ensuring alignment with strategic goals
• Monitor and report on return on investment (ROI) for major projects
• Develop pricing strategies that align with market conditions and business goals
• Ensure accurate pricing of products and controls around pricing
• Conduct competitive analysis to ensure pricing is optimised for profitability and market share
• Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to adjust pricing based on demand and cost changes
• Monitor and analyse production costs to identify trends and variances
• Collaborate with production teams to implement cost-saving initiatives and improve efficiency
• Provide detailed reports on production cost performance and recommend adjustments as necessary
• Analyse existing financial processes and identify areas for improvement
• Develop and implement streamlined processes to enhance efficiency and accuracy
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate best practices and innovative solutions
• Design and implement robust internal control systems to safeguard assets and ensure data integrity
• Regularly review and update internal controls to adapt to changing business environments
• Train staff on internal control procedures and ensure adherence across the organisation
• Lead and mentor the finance team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide professional development opportunities
• Encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing within the finance department
• Communicate financial insights and recommendations to non-financial stakeholders
• Prepare presentations for board meetings
• Act as a liaison between finance and other departments to ensure alignment on financial objectives

Qualifications and Skills

• Matric / Grade 12
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or a related field
• CA(SA) / CIMA or equivalent professional certification (advantageous)
• 5 – 7 years’ experience in finance management role, ideally in a corporate or multi entity environment
• 3 – 5 years’ experience in Forestry or agriculture environment
• Extensive knowledge of financial management principles and practices
• Understanding of the industry and its financial dynamics
• Familiarity with financial regulations, compliance standards, and risk management
• In depth knowledge of financial accounting standards (cross country will be advantageous), statutory reporting, audit and regulatory compliance
• Experience with SAP, Oracle, AS400 or any other accounting system and advanced experience with Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, macros)
• Exceptional analytical expertise and high attention to detail with strong problem solving ability
• Excellent time management, organisational skills and adherence to deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Effective interpersonal skills with ability to collaborate and influence across teams
• Strategic thinker who can drive change and add value to decision making
• Adaptable and proactive, comfortable working in a dynamic, evolving environment
• Valid driver’s license (Code 08) and willingness to travel between sites
• Valid Passport
• Bilingual in English and Afrikaans (advantageous)