Head of Finance SSA at Johnson & Johnson

Job Purpose:

The Head of Finance (HoF) is responsible for the financial leadership, direction and management within Consumer Sub Sahara Africa and Nigeria. In addition, he/she is responsible for ensuring that strategies and strategy execution within Consumer SSA are fact-based, by delivering data and data analysis and by challenging all departments.

The HoF represents and manages the business’ financial performance in the areas of sales; gross margins; brand and marketing expenses as well as operating expenses and will act as business partner for the Consumer SSA Leadership Team in managing quality financial decision-making support through competent, commercial finance partners.

The HoF maintains strong business partnership with third party service providers across SSA to ensure sustainable business growth in full compliance of Johnson & Johnson corporate finance policies, procedures and guidance.

The HoF takes on role of statutory finance director for J&J (Pty) Ltd and is responsible for the financial leadership, direction and management of the legal entity, including the commercial organization and 2 plants. The executive sponsorship for BBBEE/Transformation falls into the scope of this role.

The Main Duties and Responsibilities of the position are:

Main interactions within and outside the organization:

• Commercial team, Brand & Marketing Team
• Commercial support functions
• Local plants
• Consumer service providers
• EM/EMEA finance teams
• Key external business partners and vendors

Financial Consolidation & Review:

• Sign off the financial planning of the business plan/updates/latest thinking, encompassing the preparation, consolidation & review of the detailed financial analysis.
• Sign off on the periodic financial performance reviews & budget variance analysis providing a summary overview of performance to the Board.
• Lead and convert demand plans into financial plans
• Monitor & review active participation of the Finance Partners in BU Management Meetings, Brand Plans, Board Reviews & Strategic Plans.
• Manage the preparation & review the relevance/accuracy of company wide management information e.g. Board Reports, Sales Latest thinking, Product Contribution Statements, etc.
• Actively contribute to commercial decision-making.

Finance Management:

• Long term strategic and short-term business planning.
• Financial reporting to the local management team and to Regional Finance.
• Business performance monitoring and analysis.
• Create and own relevant finance policies and procedures to ensure full support of commercial and business needs within a frame of full compliance to corporate financial guidelines

Forecast Accuracy:

• Lead the Company in adopting a culture of forecast accuracy through:
  • Meeting with commercial leadership team to review and sign-off monthly forecast
  • Ensuring
    finance review forecast accuracy with each Business Unit in order to understand the variances to forecast and most recent plans.
• Partner with the Board to ensure ability to meet regional and corporate requirements and manage expectations.
• Organize & run the Sales Latest Thinking Process to aid the company in understanding the forecast performance & to improve forecast accuracy.
• Review the consolidated Latest Thinking P&L along with the detailed OPEX analysis from each business partner in order to understand the latest forecast performance & any variances from plan.

Cost Control:

• Set objectives, actions & follow-up to promote a cost control culture through encouraging the Business Units to adopt improved and smart processes & performing detailed cost monitoring & control.
• Cost /Smart Champion within the business.

Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with the J&J WW Financial, HCBI, and Business Conduct procedures and drive accountability throughout the organisation.

People Management:

• Attract, develops and retains quality people.
• Management of Performance and Development of the Consumer SSA Finance team to help the creation of a diverse and high performing team.
• Is an inspirational leader, which applies networking and collaboration competencies across the teams, and ensures Credo Values are demonstrated in the day to day interactions of his/ her team.
• Is responsible for sharing best practices in terms of processes, deliverables, and approaches.

Qualifications

We’d love to hear from YOU, if you have:      

• University degree in Finance/ Accounting/Business/Economics
• Preferably qualified chartered accountant or CIMA
• Minimum 10 years Finance experience
• Preferably FMCG, commercial finance experience in a multinational or listed company
• Preferably experience in working in a matrix organization and/or a Finance shared services model
• Management of a team of at least 2 people
• Finance Business Partnering experience at management level
• Part of an organization’s or Business Unit's leadership team
• Integrity and Credo behaviors
• Strong interpersonal skills,communication, team player, collaborative style
• Exemplary leadership skills, people manager, passionate about recruiting and developing the best talents for the organization.
• Proven analytical skills
• Focus on big picture and strategic goals, but also attention to the detail
• Accuracy under pressure
• Committed to quality and service
• Mobility to relocate
• Result and performance driven
• Decision making and influencing capabilities
• Managing complexity

Johnson & Johnson and all its operating companies are committed to workplace diversity and to cultivating, fostering and preserving a culture of inclusion. Our Credo outlines our responsibility to create an inclusive environment and to respect the dignity and diversity of all people. We therefore invite applications from all candidates representing diversity of age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief. When
appointing potential candidates in South Africa, the Employment Equity and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Legislation will be considered.

This is what awaits YOU at J&J:

• An opportunity to be part of a global market leader.
• A dynamic and inspiring working environment.
• Many opportunities to work on challenging projects and assignments.
• Possibilities for further personal as well as professional development.
• Many employee benefits.