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Finance and Commercial Manager

Role Purpose

The Finance and Commercial Manager reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and is responsible for providing strategic leadership for all financial and commercial operations within the organization. The role ensures that the company's financial resources are managed efficiently while supporting long-term business growth and profitability. The position oversees financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, treasury management, financial reporting, commercial analysis, risk management, and internal controls. The Finance and Commercial Manager also works closely with senior management to provide financial insights that support informed business decisions and ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

1. Internal Controls and Financial Governance

The Finance and Commercial Manager is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control systems to safeguard company assets and improve financial accountability. Key responsibilities include:

• Reviewing and improving financial policies, procedures, and business processes.

• Designing and implementing inventory management systems that improve stock accuracy and reduce losses.

• Ensuring subsidiary ledgers reconcile with the general ledger to maintain accurate financial records.

• Reviewing monthly bank reconciliations and all balance sheet reconciliations.

• Monitoring compliance with internal financial policies and procedures.

• Identifying weaknesses in financial controls and recommending corrective measures.

• Coordinating internal and external audits by preparing required documentation and responding to audit findings.

• Ensuring all audit recommendations are implemented within agreed timelines.

• Promoting a culture of accountability, transparency, and compliance throughout the organization.

2. Cash Flow and Treasury Management

Maintaining adequate liquidity is a key responsibility of this role. The Finance and Commercial Manager ensures the organization has sufficient cash to meet operational and strategic requirements by:

• Preparing rolling 12-month cash flow forecasts.

• Monitoring daily, weekly, and monthly cash movements.

• Identifying potential cash shortages before they occur.

• Advising the CEO and senior management on funding requirements.

• Managing banking relationships and treasury activities.

• Monitoring working capital, including receivables, payables, and inventory.

• Supporting initiatives that improve cash conversion and reduce unnecessary financing costs.

• Recommending strategies that improve overall cash management.

3. Budgeting and Financial Planning

The Finance and Commercial Manager leads the organization's financial planning process by ensuring budgets align with business objectives. Responsibilities include:

• Coordinating the preparation of annual operating budgets.

• Developing financial forecasts based on business performance.

• Monitoring departmental budgets throughout the financial year.

• Conducting budget variance analysis and explaining significant differences.

• Providing financial recommendations that improve planning and resource allocation.

• Supporting investment decisions through financial modeling and scenario analysis.

• Updating financial projections to reflect changing business conditions.

4. Profitability and Performance Management

The role plays a significant part in improving business profitability by analyzing financial performance and identifying opportunities for improvement. Responsibilities include:

• Preparing monthly profitability reports for the company and individual business units.

• Identifying products, customers, or business segments that generate the highest returns.

• Recommending strategies that improve gross profit margins.

• Monitoring key financial performance indicators.

• Working with department managers to improve operational efficiency.

• Evaluating pricing strategies and discount structures.

• Supporting management in making data-driven commercial decisions.

5. Cost Analysis and Operational Efficiency

The Finance and Commercial Manager conducts detailed cost analysis to identify opportunities for reducing expenses while maintaining product quality and operational performance. Areas of analysis include:

• Factory operating costs.

• Production efficiency and productivity.

• Warehouse expenses.

• Distribution and logistics costs.

• Administrative overheads.

• Equipment utilization and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).

• Inventory carrying costs.

• Supplier pricing and procurement costs.

The role also develops recommendations that improve efficiency and reduce unnecessary expenditure across the organization.

6. Financial Reporting and Compliance

The Finance and Commercial Manager ensures the organization meets all financial reporting obligations accurately and on time. Responsibilities include:

• Preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports.

• Ensuring compliance with accounting standards and financial regulations.

• Coordinating statutory reporting requirements.

• Supporting tax planning and tax compliance activities.

• Liaising with external auditors, financial institutions, and government agencies.

• Presenting financial reports to the CEO and Board of Directors.

• Providing financial analysis to support strategic business decisions.

7. Risk Management

Managing financial risk is an important aspect of the position. The Finance and Commercial Manager is expected to:

• Identify financial and operational risks facing the business.

• Develop strategies that reduce or eliminate identified risks.

• Monitor compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.

• Review insurance coverage and other risk mitigation measures.

• Strengthen internal controls to minimize fraud and financial losses.

• Ensure business continuity through sound financial planning.

Required Experience

Applicants should possess the following qualifications and experience:

• A minimum of 10 years' experience leading a finance function within a large organization.

• Proven experience in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.

• Strong knowledge of treasury management and cash flow planning.

• Demonstrated experience implementing internal controls and risk management frameworks.

• Experience managing commercial finance and profitability analysis.

• Experience working in multicultural and fast-paced business environments.

• A proven record of supporting executive leadership with strategic financial advice.

Key Competencies and Personal Attributes

The successful candidate should demonstrate the following qualities:

Leadership and Strategic Thinking

• Strong commercial and financial business acumen.

• Ability to translate financial information into business decisions.

• Experience working with executive management and Board members.

• Strong strategic planning and decision-making skills.

Communication and Relationship Management

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Strong presentation and report-writing abilities.

• Ability to influence stakeholders at all organizational levels.

• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills.

• Ability to build productive relationships with auditors, banks, regulators, suppliers, and business partners.

Technical Skills

• Advanced financial analysis and reporting skills.

• Strong budgeting and forecasting capabilities.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

• High level of attention to detail.

• Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial regulations.

Personal Attributes

• High integrity and ethical standards.

• Results-oriented with a proactive approach.

• Excellent organizational and time-management skills.

• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.

• Strong initiative and sound professional judgment.

• Adaptable and resilient in changing business environments.

• Professional appearance and conduct.

• Commitment to continuous improvement and high-quality service delivery.

Application

Go to Ramco Group on www.careers-page.com to apply