Career Opportunities at Damco

Job description

The Associate Finance Partner will help drive financial performance within the East & South Africa (ESAF) area by assisting with guidance and support on financial information, business performance and implementation of strategies. This entails ensuring clear and proper performance of financial and administrative tasks, including providing regular and timely information to the Customer Service Office (CSO), Commercial and Global Service Centre (GSC) teams on all area finance matters

Key Responsibilities

• To deliver accurate, timely, aligned information for all financial reporting for the area as per global/regional guideline
• Assist in checking all mandatory reports and bringing exceptions to the attention of management thus ensuring adherence to internal control procedures
• Fixed cost management; controls on all fixed costs and continuously drive cost saving initiatives, managing and maintaining lease and other contractual agreements
• Assists with information for business decisions by leaders and internal and external partners including SARS and Citibank.
• Statutory requirements administration, i.e. tax/financial submissions as directed by Finance Business, liaison with banks for information when required, support for any tax queries, resolution of audit queries, drafting resolutions, liaising with company secretary for statutory information
• Assist finance business partner with management reporting at area level, variance explanations and related proposed actions
• Assists in assessing best alternative strategies. E.g. Job costing analysis: assess Low margin jobs and non-profitable jobs, “book of Business” improvement – most profitable business pursued as continuous nature
• Helps automate and bring in efficiencies, i.e. Drive continuous Improvement/optimization for finance and operation functions (including further consolidation, centralization, migration of tasks as needed
• Assist in coordination of all internal and external audits.
• Manage and ensure that all of the necessary processes and controls are in process to ensure RICC compliance
• Maintain credible controls in reporting in line with regional/centre control guideline E.g. Regional Exposure report and area score card
• Fraud prevention; co-operate with Global Service Centre & Regional Control Assurance teams to minimize risk. Including validation and interrogation of recharges as well as FTE allocation monthly
• Improve cross functional links to eliminate challenges in financial control dashboards
• Maintain close and strong relationship with all stakeholders

Who we are looking for

Competencies Required

• Must have a Degree with Accounting / Tax as majors (candidate with articles is favourable)
• Operational Financial management and Accounting – particularly job costing and risk management
• Two to three years’ experience within logistics / freight forwarding industry
• Local laws and procedures on corporate finance
• In-depth knowledge of Damco’s systems MODS, Kewill and FACT will be advantageous

The Suitable Candidate

• Is self-confident with drive
• Analytical thinker
• Have a high sense of urgency and ability to prioritise
• Strong communication and persuasive skills.
• Strong planning and organizing skills are required.
• Ability to work with details quickly and accurately with minimum mistakes.
• Sensitivity to other departments’ and branch offices’ requirements and needs.
• Sensitivity to customer’s/Supplier requirements and needs.
• Energetic and challenge status quo
• Able to obtain results through influence

We Offer

At DAMCO, we believe that a long-term successful career happens when there is a match between what you are passionate about, what you are good at and what is needed by our business. A successful career will include a variety of experiences that stretch you, bring you out of your comfort zone and offer you an opportunity to learn and grow in ways that also build our business.

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Job description

This position is responsible to establish sales strategies, achieve profitable sales and expand the customer base in market which contributes to the development of Damco. Promote the brand image and value of Damco and offer clear value proposition to customers. Act as the face of Damco and work in tandem with customer services / inhouse sales and other stakeholders to ensure that the customer is served to satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Commercial Management
• Collect, analyze and distribute relevant market development information to support existing business and development of new business
• Continuously review the market for new business opportunities and activities and generate profitable business propositions.
• Keep track of competitor's activities, formulate new business plans and strategies for business expansion
• Identify, develop and improve commercial processes, including coordination with internal and external stakeholders
• Monitor and improve on market identification and new business opportunities
• Establish commercial KPI's and ensure delivery against these KPI's
• Conduct sales calls and close deals effectively
• Identify and pursue cross selling opportunities by coordinating with Area Commercial Head
• Through structured approach expand the customer base without losing existing business
• Collect outstanding and control DSO
• Operational Management
• Responsible and accountable for commercial activities including sales targets
• To formulate and drive the commercial strategy and drive the commercial side of budgets in coordination with the business unit heads.
• To coach, train and support the commercial organisation to achieve targets.
• Proactively meet (potential) customers in order to obtain/maintain business
• Drive the collection of relevant trade data to support the existing business unit as well as for development of new business activities and/ or locations.
• Personnel Manangement
• Lead colleagues by example - provide assistance and motivation to improve performance
• Encourage a positive, healthy and proactive attitude towards colleagues, clients and other service providers
• Sharing of best practices within the team

Key Performance Indicator

• Reach and exceed the commercial targets of the business
• Maintainance and widening of customer base
• Improved customer satisfaction
• Timely identification and action of risks to avoid them turning into issues
• Company values are lived by the incumbent

Who we are looking for

Skills Required

• Degree / Diploma in Sales/Commerce from a recognised tertiary institution
• 3-5 years experience in a customer business development role.
• Knowledge and experience of Frieght Forwarding, from a Sales as well as an operational point of view
• Understanding of the corporate strategy
• Sales and Marketing experience
• CRM usage

Core Competencies

• Creative opportunity seeking
• Goal oriented
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Persuasive
• Analytical thinking
• Planning and organising
• Multi-tasking ability
• Computer proficiency
• Valid Drivers Licence
• Confidence in sales pitch and contacting new people
• Hunting sales approach

We Offer

At DAMCO, we believe that a long-term successful career happens when there is a match between what you are passionate about, what you are good at and what is needed by our business. A successful career will include a variety of experiences that stretch you, bring you out of your comfort zone and offer you an opportunity to learn and grow in ways that also build our business.