Head of Finance: Trading at Helderberg Personnel

Minimum Qualification

• Qualified CA(SA) or CIMA (CGMA).

Experience

• Minimum of 10 years' relevant financial management experience.
• Substantial experience in one or more of the following areas: Grain or agricultural commodity trading, Commodity risk management, Treasury and trade finance, Inventory and hedging management, Group finance and consolidations.
• Experience with SAFEX, futures contracts, and hedging instruments.
• Experience in audit, internal control, and risk management environments.

Technical Skills

• Knowledge of IFRS.
• Strong management accounting and financial analysis skills.
• Excellent knowledge of: Inventory valuations, SAFEX hedging, Working capital management.
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills.
• Experience with ERP and trading systems.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Financial Leadership and Group Control

• Lead the financial function of the trading business.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and reliable month-end and annual reporting.
• Review and consolidate financial results of all relevant entities.
• Ensure compliance with IFRS, group policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement best practices for financial control.

Commodity and Trade Finance Management

• Analyze and monitor the profitability of all trading activities.
• Review gross profit calculations per trader.
• Ensure reconciliation between profit calculations and the general ledger.
• Challenge variances and identify underlying performance drivers.

Risk and Hedging Management

• Review fair value adjustments and inventory valuations, and ensure their accuracy.
• Monitor commodity price risk, basis risk, and inventory exposure.
• Ensure that all trading risks are identified, measured, and reported in a timely manner.

Financial Analysis and Strategic Input

• Analyze margins, trends, and trading results.
• Prepare reports for management, EXCO, and the board.
• Provide strategic recommendations regarding profitability and risk.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve returns.

Internal Control and Corporate Governance

• Ensure adequate internal control measures are in place.
• Oversee balance sheet reconciliations and critical financial control processes.
• Monitor compliance with internal policies and procedures.
• Support external auditors and internal audit processes.
• Ensure the timely resolution of control deficiencies.

People Management and Development

• Lead and develop Financial Managers and Financial Accountants.
• Foster a culture of accountability, accuracy, and professional excellence.
• Ensure adequate capacity and succession planning within the finance team.
• Drive continuous process improvement and the digitalization of financial processes.