Financial Manager at Unique Personnel

Job Description    

• Responsible to lead and manage the finance function of the business.
• The ideal candidate must be hands-on, accurate, disciplined, and able to operate in a fast-paced trading and distribution environment. This role requires someone who can manage the full finance function, provide meaningful financial insight, support operational decision-making, and ensure strong financial controls across the business.
• This is not only an accounting role. The person will be required to understand how finance supports sales, stock, cash flow, debt control, supplier management, and overall business performance.

Key Responsibilities:

The Financial Manager will be responsible for:

Financial Management & Reporting

• Prepare, review, and analyse monthly management accounts.
• Read, interpret, and report on Profit & Loss statements.
• Provide financial insight on sales, gross margin, operating costs, profitability, and working capital.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning.
• Monitor business performance against budget and targets.
• Identify financial risks, cost-saving opportunities, and areas for improvement.

Debtors, Creditors & Cash Flow:

• Manage the full debtors and creditors function.
• Oversee customer credit control and debt collection.
• Ensure supplier accounts are accurate and paid according to agreed terms.
• Monitor cash flow and ensure strong control over incoming and outgoing payments.
• Review overdue accounts and support escalation where required.

Payments, Banking & Forex:

• Manage local and international supplier payments.
• Handle foreign exchange transactions and related documentation.
• Work with international suppliers and group companies.
• Ensure payment approvals, banking controls, and financial procedures are followed.
• Maintain accurate records for all local and foreign transactions.

Payroll & Statutory Compliance:

• Manage or oversee monthly payroll processing.
• Experience with Sage Payroll or similar payroll systems would be advantageous.
• Ensure compliance with SARS requirements, PAYE, UIF, SDL, VAT, and other statutory obligations.
• Support audits, tax submissions, and statutory reporting.
• Liaise with auditors, tax consultants, banks, and external service providers.

Systems & Processes:

• Work with internal company systems and reporting tools.
• Maintain accurate financial data and ensure strong internal controls.
• Improve finance processes, reporting accuracy, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure finance procedures are documented and followed consistently.

Business & Operational Support:

• Partner with operations, sales, procurement, and management to support business decisions.
• Provide financial insight into stock, margins, supplier performance, and working capital.
• Support inventory-related analysis, including stock holding, slow-moving stock, and cost impact.
• Supply chain, distribution, or inventory management experience would be highly advantageous.

Inherent Requirements    
Minimum Requirements

• Proven experience as a Financial Manager, Senior Accountant, or similar finance leadership role.
• Strong understanding of full finance function, including management accounts, P&Ls, balance sheet, cash flow, debtors, creditors, payroll, and statutory compliance.
• Experience managing debt control, supplier payments, and month-end reporting.
• Experience with Sage Payroll or similar payroll platforms.
• Strong Excel and financial reporting skills.
• Experience with international payments and foreign exchange transactions.
• Strong understanding of South African tax and statutory requirements.
• Ability to work with internal ERP or finance systems.
• High level of accuracy, confidentiality, and accountability.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work across departments.

Advantageous Experience

• Experience in a distribution, wholesale, industrial, tools, MRO, or supply chain environment.
• Knowledge of inventory, stock management, landed cost, and supplier costings.
• Experience working with international group companies.
• Experience dealing with imports, forex, and overseas supplier payments.
• Relevant finance qualification such as BCom Accounting, Financial Management, SAIPA, SAICA, CIMA, or similar.

Key Competencies:

The successful candidate must be:

• Commercially aware and business-minded.
• Strong on detail and deadlines.
• Able to challenge numbers and identify risks.
• Confident in managing financial controls.
• Comfortable working with multiple departments.
• Proactive, reliable, and solution-driven.
• Able to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance managers.
• Strong enough to manage pressure, deadlines, and accountability.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

• Position requires more than processing numbers. The ideal candidate will understand the story behind the numbers and help the business make better decisions.
• They must be able to manage the day-to-day finance function while also supporting the leadership team with accurate reporting, cash flow visibility, cost control, and commercial insight.
• Experience in a trading, distribution, or supply chain environment will be a strong advantage.