Business Controller: SSA
Location: Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, ZA
Regional Business Controller / CIL Sub-Saharan Africa
(Group Consolidations SSA / CIL Finance)
Job Responsibilities/Purpose:
Business Controlling – 60%
- The Regional Business Controller reports directly to the Regional CFO and the matrix reporting line to Global G&O Controller.
- The Business Controller works in collaboration with commercial and operations teams, monitoring Regional financial performance as well as helping with its sustainable improvement.
- Supporting Regional CFO, the Business Controller must work closely with Country Managers, Traders and Country Controllers, providing guidance and coordinating timely PnL reporting. With a view on the Position reporting (Traders and Operations responsible for accurate position).
- The Regional Business Controller, under the direction of the Regional CFO, can also be a primary point of contact for Global Finance functions (i.e. FP&A, Product & Corporate Controlling) ensuring Regional adherence to the Group Finance KPIs.
- Key stakeholder management - link between commercial, operations, finance, especially with regards to understanding the environment and management thereof.
Group SSA consolidations – 20%
- The Regional Business Controller will dedicate time to support Group G&O Controller on all management accountant functions as required. This will include but not be limited to systems enhancements, financial reporting enhancement, Finance function efficiencies, financial analysis of monthly YTD and full year costs and other projects as requested.
Business Control Team Management – 20%
- Business Performance: Monitors all financial aspects of the trading, logistics and processing activities, their costs, Team KPI’s and provides analysis to support the decision-making process. Identifies issues and advises management on action plans and operational strategies to resolve. Implement and maintain processes to record transactions with all required accounting analytics. Drive the development and implementation of new procedures to strengthen internal controls and gain operating efficiencies. Supports the Regional business to drive appropriate cost structure, productivity optimization and capital efficiency. Closely monitors Working Capital and related charges.
- Position Management, CFTC
- Balance Sheet Integrity
- Daily PNL
- FX Exposure Integrity
- Financial Reporting: Establishes and oversees processes and tools necessary to obtain transparent and reliable financial data and business information in SAP/BPC. Ensures high quality and compliance with financial data and business information in line with defined standards & financial closing schedules.
- Understanding market to market principles and ability to apply different valuations on various components within commodity pricing
- Trade & Budget Analysis
- Management Reporting
- Data Availability
- Business Planning and Forecasting: Supporting Regional CFO on budget preparation and long term financial and operational plans. Oversee the business planning and forecasting process executed by local teams. Evaluates financial implications of various strategic decisions and supports the CFO to build scenarios and recommend actions.
- Monitor Budgets and provide feedback to Regional CFO and local commercial team.
- Coordinate Internal and External Auditing.
- Risk management: While CIL’s Risk Department does not have a presence in each office, the Regional Business Controller acts as a support helping to assess business risk exposure and to implement risk mitigation strategies, reducing potential negative impact on business performance. He/she also helps to identify and communicate commercial and financial risks and opportunities from business propositions.
- Finance Projects: Works on Global Finance projects upon request, ensuring that core Business Controlling tasks for SSA are not left unattended.
- Related accounting/financial systems, SAP: primary users of these system tools.
- Payment Approvals.
- Communication with internal stakeholders: Ensure timely, effective and efficient communication with relevant personnel at local CIL offices within SSA as well as the Head Office in Geneva. Deliver key messages and be open to receiving information from the offices particularly identify areas for Finance process improvement.
Additional comments:
Sub Saharan Africa has a sizeable operation, managing an integrated supply chain of agricultural commodities including origination, crushing, logistics, distribution and trading of Grains and Oilseeds. Short and long-term growth are guaranteed by ongoing projects. In this dynamic environment, a resolute, dedicated Business Controller is a key resource to ensure the region will grow in a sustainable manner and deliver stable revenue streams as mandated by COFCO.
Educational background
- University degree in related field.
- Minimum 5 years demonstrated experience in a similar role.
Must Have Skills:
- Fluent in English and Afrikaans.
- Deep understanding of trade position management and trade PnL.
- Solid experience in multi-currency finance environments.
- Strong experience in accounting and financial reporting.
- Good knowledge of SAP, and Trading One or other commodity trading system.
- Sound experience in FP&A, Corporate Controlling and Risk are a plus.
- Experience in complex budget preparation.
- Experience with People management.
- Good relationship skills with proven capacity to deal with personnel from various geographies, cultures as well as educational and experience levels.
- Excellent presentation skills.
- Coping with Pressures and Setbacks
- Leading and Supervising
- Analysing and Initiating action
- Deciding and Initiating
- Planning and organizing
- Presenting and communicating information
- Delivering Results and Meeting Customer expectations
- Adapting and Responding to Change
- Relating and Networking
- Strong external/internal customer orientation
Communication
- Listens well and shares ideas/solutions.
Teamwork
- Seeks involvement and input from other people.
Initiative
- Proactive, drives processes and tasks to achieve results.
- Produces resourceful ideas and solutions.
Ownership & Accountability
- Takes ownership of own decisions and actions – successes and mistakes.
Management
- Gives timely, constructive, and specific feedback.
Detail orientation
- Organised, methodical.
- Good diligence, attention to detail.
Analytical and interpreting
Ability to critically analyse problems, information, and appropriate sustainable solutions.
Leading and deciding
Leadership/Management of the Business control function and team. Deciding and initiating action. Providing direction and empowering employees. Effective decision making and action-orientated.
Planning and organising
Sets clear objectives, defined direction, planned activities and achieving and monitoring the objectives set.
Persuading and influencing
Gaining commitment and agreement through effective and appropriate approaches.
Resilience and adapting to change
Ability to adapt to change. Ability to operate within ambiguity and changing initiatives.
How to apply
The company is offering a competitive salary with provident and medical benefits. Exciting incentive opportunities, a rewarding work environment, product and supply chain knowledge and career growth opportunities for the right candidate.
Interested parties should please submit a comprehensive CV and covering letter, outlining why you feel that you are best suited to the position on the COFCO Careers website COFCO Careers by searching for vacancies in South Africa, clicking on the listed positions available, and following the prompts when clicking “Apply” on the job description, and answering all related questions in full to complete your application.
Only applications submitted direct on the COFCO Careers website will be considered.
If you do not hear from us within 21 days from date of application, please regard your application as unsuccessful.
Only short-listed candidates will be moved through the Talent Pipeline and contacted.
The company will make appointments in line with the Employment Equity plan.
Privacy Policy
By contacting COFCO International South Africa (Pty) Ltd., you acknowledge and agree that COFCO International South Africa (Pty) Ltd. has a legitimate business purpose to collect and process your personal information (as defined in Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 and any amendments thereto (“POPIA”)) to review your personal information and to comply with its legal obligations. COFCO International South Africa (Pty) Ltd will process your personal information in accordance with POPIA and in accordance with the purposes described in COFCO International South Africa (Pty) Ltd.’s privacy policy available at COFCO Privacy Policy . You hereby confirm that you have read, understood and agree with the terms of COFCO International South Africa (Pty) Ltd.’s privacy policy, and consent to the processing of your personal information.
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