Manager Perf CES Marketing and Sales at Sasol

Purpose of Job

• Key role is ensuring performance of the Commercial Marketing channels are monitored, analysed and reported on effectively. Ensure that sound performance management and reporting practices are implemented and applied in the Business Unit. Ensures effective, accurate and timely reporting to internal stakeholders. Participates and provides input in business decision making and financial management of the business unit. Support the cost and profit centre managers with financial analysis and intelligence/insights in a proactive and positive/ critical attitude to facilitate decision making as well as to evaluate the effect of decisions made.
• Identify profit drivers (Gross margin components) and assist business in driving processes to unlock these drivers for profitability
• Monitor cash fixed cost spend to ensure they are within budget, obtain necessary approvals before spend in accordance with Governance measures in place, ensure timely accrual of cost for work done and ensure cost centre owners take full accountability and are in control of their cost.
• Monitor and assist in ensuring capital projects are appropriately approved and ensure timely implementation of projects including accruals for work done.
• Take full responsibility for all financial matters (including reports such as EXCO and Integrated Reporting (IR) packs) relating to the Direct (including Lubricants) and Indirect Channels of Trade and Exports and support the Marketing team in their reports.

Key Accountabilities

Manage the process and results in preparing and  analysis supporting the overall Commercial Marketing business on a monthly basis, during budget and forecast cycles including reporting of KPIs including:

• Prepare volume and gross margin analysis per product and market segment.
• Prepare and analyse pricing & volume variances compared to budget, forecast or other scenario as required.
• Provide guidance and feedback to management in terms of budget and forecast trends and requirements. Provide weekly updates on the sales volumes with forward looking views and support with measures to close the gaps where applicable.
• Prepare detail information to enable management to monitor the performance of the business and manage their gross margin and costs.
• Gather competitor insights and get to know the Commercial Direct and Indirect Channels of Trade and Overland customers.
• Accurate cash flow forecasts presented within agreed deadlines.
• Guidance to cost centre owners on financial decisions including scenario analysis to inform business decisions. Monitor cash fixed cost to ensure it is within budget
• Compare budget and forecast information between different areas to determine and establish best practices.
• Provide input to biannual impairment reviews for relevant CGU’s.
• Maintain SAP structures to align with business unit / value chain requirements and make budget changes accordingly.
• Tracking of financial and operating results against KPIs to be reported to management.
• Generate ideas to optimise processes and provide automation opportunities.
• Support finance team in preparing business unit / value chain results for budget, quarterly BU Exco forecast, Board and Governance submissions.
• Support Business Partners and Finance team with various ad-hoc tasks.
• Support business and monitor all capital related projects for area of responsibility

Formal Education

• University Bachelors Degree in Finance

Working Experience

• Experience: 9+ relevant years in Finance