Financial Director (Operational Finance

Position: Financial Director (Operational Finance)
Industry: FMCG | JSE Listed
Location: Northern Suburbs

An exciting opportunity exists for a commercially astute and highly operational Chief Financial Officer / Financial Director to join a division within a leading JSE-listed FMCG organisation.

We are looking for an energetic, hands-on finance executive who enjoys being involved in the day-to-day operations of the business. This is not a desk-bound CFO role. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable presenting at Executive level as they are walking the factory floor, engaging with production teams, understanding operational challenges and identifying opportunities to improve efficiencies, margins and profitability.

If you are a confident, assertive leader who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and believes finance should partner with operations to drive business success, we'd like to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational financial leadership across the business.
• Partner closely with Manufacturing, Operations, Procurement and Supply Chain to improve business performance.
• Take an active, hands-on approach within the manufacturing environment to understand operational challenges, identify inefficiencies and implement practical financial solutions.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management and strategic financial planning.
• Drive product costing, standard costing, inventory control and margin improvement initiatives.
• Analyse manufacturing costs, production efficiencies, waste and yield variances to improve profitability.
• Oversee working capital, stock management and financial controls.
• Provide commercial support for new products, capital expenditure, pricing and business improvement initiatives.
• Lead the finance function while fostering a culture of accountability, ownership and continuous improvement.
• Ensure strong governance, compliance, risk management and statutory reporting.

Minimum Requirements

• CA(SA) qualification is essential.
• Minimum 7 years' post-articles experience in a senior finance leadership role.
• Extensive experience within FMCG, manufacturing or a high-volume production environment.
• Strong product costing and standard costing experience is essential.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with operational and manufacturing teams.
• Advanced ERP systems knowledge with strong Excel and financial modelling capability.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Highly operational and commercially minded.
• Hands-on and comfortable spending time on the factory floor.
• Naturally curious and willing to understand how the business really operates.
• Assertive, confident and able to challenge constructively.
• Dynamic, energetic and results-driven.
• A strong decision-maker who takes ownership.
• Comfortable engaging with everyone from factory staff to Executive Management.
• Passionate about driving efficiencies, improving margins and delivering measurable business results.
• An influential leader with excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Why Apply? Join a well-established JSE-listed FMCG organisation where you will play a key role in driving operational excellence, improving commercial performance and influencing strategic business decisions. This is an opportunity for a finance leader who enjoys rolling up their sleeves, getting involved in the business and making a real impact.