Financial Planning and Analysis Manager - Africa at Eaton

The primary function of this role is BU profitability analysis, management of price realization, management of Manufacturing plant performance and customer profitability, expense control, and credit and collection oversight. The role oversees Africa with annual turnover of $60-70M

• Develop and lead strategies for improvements in cost effectiveness, relating to direct cost conversion and Labour efficiencies, manufacturing overheads (MOH) expenditure to improve company profitability through improved plant costs effectiveness.
• Implement strategies through coordinating meetings with Sales managers and other role players to ensure successful implementation and execution of the Sales plan through weekly forecast calls reviews.
• Develop, manage and improve KPI’s, expenditure control systems and performance reporting systems to improve material conversion efficiency and reduce overall BU expenditure.
• Prepare, monitor and control direct cost budgets and standards in conjunction with Financial Controller, and overall BU budgets including RMS to ensure expenditure and conversion efficiencies are in line with annual business plan.
• Monitor and plan for commodity pricing and their impact on the COGS through FX reviews
• Prepare and present accurate BU performance indicators and information periodically at all levels using appropriate avenues and medium (Stakeholders include; Plant Management, Executive Management and Regional Operations as and when warranted).
• Supervise monthly, quarterly and Annual systems closures to ensure that all deadlines are met, hold weekly and monthly meetings with budget holders, including action plan for cost control within specific areas.
• Analyze data and identify risks and opportunities for the monthly results report and forecast.
• Lead Annual Budget/Plan preparation, build tools to manage monthly & Quarterly forecasting and review with BU Leadership before submitting.
• Manage interface with Sector Finance Team to ensure good communication of Africa business performance whilst enhancing business partnership.
• Responsible site capital forecasting and reporting, project closures and backlog depreciation tracking – in conjunction with BU Finance Controller
• Lead and support ad – hoc projects for the site and business, change management, et cetera.
• Plan, set and manage staff performance objectives through performance discussions to improve performance and excellence.
• Compile and execute staff development and overall staff bench plans to improve team capability and continuity
• Develop and coordinate BU profit plans, monthly forecasts, financial reconciliations, reports and analysis for BU management, including variance analysis and cost control reporting and recommendations.
• Advice and counsel BU Management on financial implications of operating strategies, cost control actions and decisions.
• Manage, analyze, evaluate and interpret BU financial forecasts and operating results.
• Inform management of results and recommend corrective actions to address unfavorable variances.
• Review, analyze and evaluate financial data and information for accuracy, consistency and transparency.
• Maintain integrity of financial reports prepared by the BU.
• Develop and implement budgeting and financial reporting systems to provide timely and relevant information to the BU, region/division, and corporate management and cost control.
• Develop, control and maintain adequate product costing systems for valuation and cost estimating activities.
• Responsible for providing leadership to the region, acting as a business partner to the Region Manager and in leading compliance to corporate financial policies, legal requirements and GAAP. The incumbent is responsible for building organizational capability within the Finance function across the region and to provide financial leadership and direction to operations and their leadership teams in the pursuit of business goals and objectives.
• Responsible for overseeing the organization’s accounting principles, practices, and procedures regarding the maintenance of fiscal records and the preparation of financial reports within a division across the country. Directs general and property accounting, cost accounting, and budgetary control for a division within the country. Appraises operating results in terms of costs, budgets, operating policies, trends and increased profit opportunities for the division within the region.

Essential Functions

• Support the regional finance and country management in all financial and operational aspects of the business
• Works with country manager in growing the profitable business.
• Creates, promotes and sustains a high performance culture. Continuously raises the performance bar for the finance organization in the region.
• Actively upgrade the organization through the infusion of top talent, through both the selection of new employees and the development of current employees. Lead OCA process for country finance team. Coaches and advises finance team members for future advancement. Align APEX ratings and performance feedback with operations and functional leaders.
• Supports and manages the regions strategic plan, annual profit plan and monthly rolling forecasts.
• Directs the efforts and reviews physical inventory processes. Reviews the results and works with plant leadership in recommending and driving actions for improvement
• Coordinate financial reporting and accounting within the business. Coordinate plans, objectives and commitments within finance and operational functions.
• Ensure division is in compliance with GAAP and Sarbanes Oxley requirements. Oversees the accuracy, correctness and timeliness of financial transactions affecting the general ledger accounting system(s).
• Develop and manage key monthly financial processes to include month-end closing and forecasting. Responsible for balance sheet integrity – ensure balance sheet reconciliations are completed and proper reviews occur.
• Review and assess the competency of financial systems and procedures to comply with GAAP and corporate policies/procedures and ensure the integrity of the financial records for the business. Insures ethical business conduct and compliance are understood and supported throughout the region.
• Organize and deliver appropriate management reports to country and regional management. Prepare meaningful variance analysis commentary for management and publish accurate and timely financial reporting packages. Coordinate, interpret and respond to adhoc financial request within the region.
• Demonstrated ability to drive process improvements: detecting the need for change, proactively gathering requirements, designing and developing processes, implementing change, and stabilizing process changes to deliver on stakeholders critical requirements
• Prior experience in managing a geographically dispersed indirect staff strongly preferred

What We Are Looking For

• Minimum 7-10 years experience in a financial management in a Manufacturing business environment.
• Bachelor Degree in Business Administration with concentration in Accounting or Finance. Minimum: B-Com Finance; CA or CIMA is an advantage
• Previous experience working in or with African entities (Africa experience)
• Thorough knowledge and expertise in Accounting and Financial Management, and business strategy.
• Strong verbal and written interpersonal skills. Ability to establish cross-function relationships.
• Strong technical expertise, including US GAAP and IFR

What We Offer

• At Eaton, we aspire to be a model of inclusion and diversity in our industry—a place where everyone matters and everyone belongs. These aren’t just words, they are part of our culture and code of ethics
• Learning & Development - We invest in our employees for the long term – not just with salary and benefits, but with ongoing learning and development opportunities made available through Eaton University