Financial Manager x2 at Lactalis South Africa

Job Description    

• Join Lactalis SA and take on the challenge role as the Financial Manager (Port Elizabeth & Babelegi Plant-Gauteng). You will be responsible for maintaining sound financial, accounting and administrative controls and records in order to meet the operational requirements of the plant. Supply accurate and relevant information to key stakeholders to support effective decision making.

Required Skills    

• B Compt / B Com Financial Management (Honours) or equivalent.
• CIMA qualification would be an advantage
• At least 8 year post qualification experience as a Financial Manager in a food FMCG manufacturing environment.
• Proven track record in financial management, system implementation and controls.
• A resilient individual with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• KPI / Result driven.
• Business acumen and good decision making skills with strong leadership skills.
• Customer oriented assertiveness and problem solving skills.
• Accuracy and attention to detail and good problem solving skills 
• Ability to work independent as well as part of a team.
• Advanced MS Excel skills.
• Knowledge of BPCS system an advantage

Duties & Responsibilities    
People & Team management: 

• Ensure that Management and Production Accountants are fully trained and equipped to guide Production Managers effectively.
• Promote strong team engagement and maintain open communication with all staff members.
• Ensure that all employees work in a safe environment and that the team meets the safety targets set by the Group.

Ensure that the plant complies with all the statutory requirements 

• Maintain fixed asset register by annual verification and compliance with company policy 
• Internal control: Document all processes and review on an ongoing basis i.e.: internal control, stock, creditors, costing and month-end. 
• Treasury / Risk: Ensure all creditors’ documentation is sent daily to HO for reconciliation and payment.
• Analyse feedback from external, internal auditors and group visits on controls, procedures and general accepted accounting principles and implement new measures. 
• Approve daily on BPCS all Purchase Orders.  Manage also all open orders and requisitions.

Daily/Weekly Reporting

• Represent Management Control in the daily meeting and provide clear insights on the KPI data submitted.
• Prepare, deliver, and submit an accurate weekly KPI report to the executive team in line with internal deadlines.
• Align with the Plant Manager weekly to ensure KPI requirements, definitions, and expectations are fully met.

Monthly Reporting including the following

• Complete Industrial Reporting and IPM activities according to the accounting calendar, including:
• Industrial results, variance analysis on volume, price and efficiencies., commentary, and action plans
• Dashboard, Savings and labour file updates
• Analysis and understanding of packaging and ingredients variances
• Prepare and submit the Industrial Forecast accurately and on time, targeting a minimum accuracy of 95%.
• Risk management in terms of Finished goods/Semi Finished Good/Packaging/Ingredients on expiry dates to determine the financial impact for the business. Obsolete Packaging & Ingredients to be reported monthly. 
• Review purchase price variances in Industrial versus Procurement with reconciliation between the two Departments reporting.
• Perform a monthly balance sheet review and complete sign-off with Head Office to ensure accuracy, mitigate risk, and strengthen internal controls.

Provide information and support to assist the Plant Manager and Production Manager in making decisions that improve operational efficiencies vs Budget & Previous Year, including continuous improvement in the following areas:

• Milk Mass Balance performance
• Yields including Milk, Cheese, Yoghurt, Butter, Powder
• Other raw material losses (e.g., Juice, Custard, Yoghurt, Semi Finished Goods losses)
• Packaging and ingredients usage
• Seconds per kilogram (Sec/KG) Labour efficiency
• Overhead cost control to ensure alignment with budgeted costs
• NQL (Non-Quality Losses)
• Drive the implementation of Value Analysis initiatives and ensure effective tracking of project execution and benefits.
• Assess CAPEX impacts on the savings plan, including early identification of delays that may affect expected savings delivery.

Complete the Industrial Budget in accordance with the accounting calendar and Support Department Managers and Plant Managers in developing a comprehensive budget that include the following:

• Maintain and update Bills of Materials (BOMs) and routings, incorporating outcomes from the Value Analysis project into the budget.
• Ensure all CAPEX savings initiatives are fully reflected in the budgeted savings plan.
• Milk Mass Balance losses and yields per recipe
• Energy & Chemicals Cost and requirement per department 
• Labour cost and FTE requirements per department based on production days
• Departmental overhead budgets
• Costing of all Finished good items are reflecting the real cost and overheads are calculated correctly using the standard costing principle 
• Involvement in CAPEX meetings and the measurement of any savings coming from CAPEX identified projects. 
• Manage the procurement of onsite buying of packaging, ingredients, spares and consumables to ensure national prices are adhered to. 
• Inventory Management Process: All inventory to be counted monthly to reduce stock losses, stock take documentation to be filled and documented monthly for audit        verification. 
• Returnable containers, including CHEP to be reconciled monthly and reviewed with Head Office Statutory