Finance Controller – Manufacturing – Central Africa

About the role

The Finance Controller will lead all financial, accounting and statutory compliance activities for a fast‑moving consumer goods (FMCG) manufacturing and distribution operation in Central Africa. Reporting to senior leadership, you will ensure robust internal controls, timely month‑end closes and effective working‑capital management.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee end‑to‑end month‑end and year‑end close processes, preparing IFRS/GAAP‑compliant financial statements and variance analysis.
• Monitor daily cash flow, optimise inventory, receivables and payables, and forecast liquidity needs.
• Manage local banking relationships, foreign‑exchange transactions and import‑financing documentation.
• Ensure full compliance with VAT, corporate income tax, customs duties and other statutory obligations; act as primary liaison for auditors and tax authorities.
• Maintain and enforce internal controls to protect inventory, mitigate fraud and reduce operational risk across warehouses and distribution networks.
• Partner with plant and operations managers to analyse manufacturing variances, bill of materials and logistics costs.
• Lead, mentor and develop the local finance team while driving ERP optimisation (SAP, Oracle or NetSuite) to automate routine tasks.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a related discipline.
• Professional qualification such as CPA, ACCA or CIMA is highly desirable.
• 8‑10 years of progressive finance experience, including at least 3 years in a financial controller or senior accounting role.
• Direct experience in FMCG, manufacturing or retail distribution with high‑volume inventory and complex supply chains.

Required skills

• Strong knowledge of IFRS and GAAP reporting standards.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Hands‑on experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite).