Snr Manager: Finance System Enhacement at Transnet

Position Purpose

• To lead and coordinate TRIM Finance’s systems strategy, digitisation roadmap, AI enabled finance transformation and SAP S/4HANA finance migration, ensuring that finance systems are fit-for-purpose, integrated, well controlled and capable of supporting TRIM’s separation from TFR and evolution into a digitally enabled, open access rail infrastructure manager. The role acts as the senior finance systems lead and advisor within the CFO environment, operating under the direction of the Head: Strategic Projects and Systems Support. It bridges finance requirements and technical delivery, while maintaining clear boundaries with ICTM and escalating material decisions through the approved governance structures. This is a permanent strategic role, not a temporary project position. While the initial priority is the SAP S/4HANA migration, the incumbent will be permanently accountable for:  The continuous evolution of TRIM's finance systems landscape.  The integration of emerging technologies (AI, automation, advanced analytics, continuous controls monitoring) into finance operations.  Ensuring TRIM Finance remains agile, data-driven, and capable of responding to changing regulatory, operational, and stakeholder demands over the long term. The incumbent will drive:  The migration from legacy SAP FI/CO to S/4HANA, ensuring a clean, future ready finance system.  The implementation of automation, data analytics, and AI capabilities to enhance financial reporting, revenue assurance, and asset management.  The integration of key modules (FI, CO, SD, MM, PM, PS, IM, HCM, Inventory, Real Estate Management) into a cohesive, efficient platform.  The establishment of a lean, high-impact finance systems team (2-3 specialists) focused on business requirements, not technical infrastructure.

Position Outputs

• SAP S/4HANA Migration and Finance Systems Transformation  Lead the finance workstream for the migration from legacy SAP FI/CO to S/4HANA, ensuring minimal business disruption and full data integrity.  Define and document finance system requirements for TRIM's separated environment, including chart of accounts, cost centre structures, profit centres, and internal orders.  Manage the configuration and deployment of core finance modules (FI, CO, SD, MM, PM, PS, IM, HCM, Inventory, Real Estate Management) to support TRIM's unique operating model.  Ensure the new system supports key TRIM processes, including access fee billing and revenue assurance (SD/FI), asset management and depreciation (PS/IM/AM), project systems for capital programmes (PS/FI/CO), procurement to pay (MM/FI), and plant maintenance work orders and costing (PM/CO).
• Digital Transformation and Innovation (Permanent)  Establish and maintain a 3-5 year finance systems roadmap, updated annually, reflecting emerging technologies, regulatory changes, and business requirements.  Identify and implement automation opportunities (RPA, intelligent document processing) to reduce manual effort, improve accuracy, and accelerate month-end and year-end processes.  Lead the deployment of data analytics and business intelligence tools (e.g., SAP Analytics Cloud, Power BI) to provide real-time financial insights to the CFO and Exco.  Develop a roadmap for AI implementation in finance, including predictive analytics for cash flow forecasting and tariff modelling, anomaly detection for revenue assurance and fraud prevention, and intelligent document processing for invoices and contracts.  Establish a permanent innovation pipeline for finance systems, including quarterly reviews of emerging technologies and annual proof-of-concept projects.
•  Define finance data requirements and partner with ICTM and data teams to establish governed data models, reporting layers and analytics environments for finance.  Lead the implementation of continuous controls monitoring, using AI to detect anomalies, prevent fraud, and ensure compliance in real-time.  Drive the adoption of digital tools for recording, tracking, and monitoring of financial transactions, asset movements, and contract compliance.  Monitor industry trends in AI, machine learning, RPA, and blockchain, assessing their applicability to TRIM's finance function.  Benchmark TRIM's finance systems maturity against industry peers and best practices, identifying gaps and improvement opportunities.
• Systems Integration and Data Integrity  Ensure seamless integration between finance systems and operational systems (e.g., network management, traffic control, asset condition monitoring) to enable accurate cost allocation and performance reporting.  Establish and maintain master data governance for finance-relevant data (customers, vendors, assets, materials, projects).  Implement controls and validation rules to prevent data corruption and ensure audit-ready financial records.  Manage the lifecycle of all finance systems, including upgrades, replacements, and decommissioning as technology evolves. 
• Support to the CFO and Finance Leadership  Provide senior finance systems advice to the Head: Strategic Projects and Systems Support and the CFO on system health, risks, opportunities, investment priorities and transformation progress.  Represent the finance function in ICTM-led projects, ensuring finance requirements are understood and delivered.
•  Prepare business cases and feasibility studies for major systems investments (e.g., automation tools, AI platforms).  Manage the finance systems budget (OPEX and CAPEX), ensuring value-for money and alignment with TRIM's financial constraints. Team Leadership and Capability Building  Lead a lean team of 2-3 finance systems specialists, such as SAP S/4HANA Analyst, Data Analyst and Automation Specialist. Develop and maintain a skills matrix for the team, ensuring coverage of critical competencies (SAP modules, data analytics, project management, AI literacy).  Build internal capability to reduce reliance on external consultants for routine systems support and small enhancements.  Foster a culture of continuous improvement and digital curiosity within the finance function, encouraging experimentation with new tools and approaches.  Create a self-service analytics environment for finance users, reducing dependency on ICTM for routine reporting and data extraction.
• Governance, Compliance, and Audit  Ensure finance systems comply with PFMA, IFRS, and internal control requirements, including segregation of duties and user access controls.  Maintain an audit-ready systems environment with complete documentation of configurations, changes, and user access.  Support Internal & External audits by providing system-generated evidence, reports, and data extracts as required.   Manage systems-related audit findings and ensure timely remediation.

Qualifications and Experience

•  BCom Honours in Accounting, Finance, and/ Information Systems.  CA(SA), CIMA/CGMA or equivalent professional finance qualification preferred, with strong SAP/ERP, finance systems, automation or digital transformation experience.  8-10 years of experience in finance systems, including at least: o 3-5 years of systems configuration and implementation experience (S/4HANA highly advantageous). o Experience in systems improvement, digital transformation, or automation projects. o Experience in a project management role (SAP migration, ERP implementation, or similar) o At least 5 years at a management level.  Experience in rail, infrastructure, or logistics is highly advantageous, but not essential.  Requirement of trust and honesty in the handling of finances as per the National Credit Act Amendment.  Must undergo Lifestyle Audit Standard Job Requirements  Driver’s license code 08  Travel as required and approved