Head of Shared Services (Shared Services 2026) at The Beverage Company

HEAD OF SHARED SERVICES
Finance

• Accountable for maintaining quality, standards, service, and desired outputs within inter-related functional areas of responsibility. May be responsible for ensuring the adherence of others to a set framework of policies and procedures. This role will work with various concrete variables, requiring an understanding of the theory or practices underpinning interrelated functional processes within a multi-procedural environment.

Job Purpose

• Reporting to the CFO, this role is responsible for the creation, development, and management of the Company’s shared services function, supporting the business with transaction processing, financial controls, payments and collections. This role will also own and be responsible for working capital management. The role will therefore manage shared service KPI’s as well as oversea, motivate, develop, and retain employees within the Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable departments.

Key Accountabilities and Outputs
Shared Services Management

• Shape and articulate the shared services strategy and proposition to all stakeholders
• Design systems and reports to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the shared services department.
• Design, implement, and monitor standardised shared services policies and procedures across BevCo (including the procure to pay policy).
• Identify risks, design, and implement appropriate financial controls and processes within the Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable Departments.
• Lead, manage and develop the Credit and Collections Manager and National Accounts Payable Manager, thereby enabling the Shared Services Department to deliver on its mandate.
• Ensure that financial risks pertaining to Credit and Collections, Accounts Payable, and Working Capital are identified, assessed and managed
• Ensure that functional business continuity plans are in place for the Shared Services Department.
• Review audit findings and ensure adequate mitigation plans have been developed and implemented to resolve areas of concern.
• Lead the digitization of key processes within the Shared Services department (in conjunction with IT)
• Assist with the management of the financial covenant

Credit and Collections Management

• Monitor and report on outstanding accounts and implement remedies to collect.
• Govern credit extension by approving reviewing and approving credit applications.
• Approve credit notes and investigate methods of reducing these over time.
• Forecast collections and build relationships with the commercial and supply chain teams.
• Manage projects aimed at minimizing back-end debt
• Explore new methods of collecting cash within diverse markets

Accounts Payable and Vendor Management

• Govern the review and release of supplier payments.
• Build relationships with business functions and suppliers.
• Manage projects aimed at minimizing back-end debt.
• Build relationships with businesses and suppliers.
• Monthly forecasting of payments.

Working Capital Support

• Manage the Trade and other Receivables Working Capital KPIs and ensure reporting is submitted
• Manage the Trade and other Payables Working Capital KPIs and ensure reporting is submitted
• Forecast working capital

General

• Lead, and manage a large team of functional experts within the
• Apply leading practice end to end process expertise in core finance in order to design and implement new re-engineered processes in a Shared Services
• Responsible for the management and improvement of Working Capital
• Co-ordinate strategic planning processes for the organisation
• Ensure that risks relating to strategy are managed
• Compile and present reports to peers, ExCom and the board
• Facilitate ongoing professional development, including the implementation of the Department’s Performance Development to ensure all staff within the department are effectively engaged and motivated in the delivery of service and business outcomes.
• Build and foster strategic partnerships with suppliers and customers
• Promote a positve culture of customer-centred service delivery and continuous service improvement to ensure customer needs and expectations, and Service Level Agreements are met.
• Demonstrate a commitment to a continuous-learning culture where team input, innovation and professional learning opportunities are valued

Qualifications and Experience

• Qualified Chartered Accountant CA (SA) - SAICA
• At least 5 years experience in leading a Shared Services department within the FMCG environment
• Knowledge of the PMFA, King IV, IFRS 9, income tax act, and VAT act and with regard to financial matters and ethics
• In-depth Knowledge of Working Capital
• Thorough understanding of financial controls and processes
• Experience in compiling financial statements and financial reporting
• Advanced Excel and reporting skills
• Exposure to integrated ERP (SAP ) systems