About the job
We are seeking an experienced, commercially astute, and strategic finance professional to join our senior management team as Finance Manager
Reporting directly to the
Chief Responsibilty Officer (CRO)
, the Head of Finance will provide strategic financial leadership across the Group, ensuring financial sustainability, strong governance, effective cash and capital management, and improved profitability.
The role will serve as a key business partner to the CRO and leadership team, providing timely financial insights that support commercial decisions, operational efficiency, business growth, and long-term value creation.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Financial Leadership
Act as a strategic business partner to the CRO and Executive Leadership Team, providing financial perspectives that support business strategy and long-term growth.
Develop and execute financial strategies aligned with the Group’s strategic objectives and growth plans.
Provide commercial and financial insights to support pricing, product, inventory, investment, expansion, and other key business decisions.
Monitor financial performance across business units and recommend corrective actions where required.
Drive a culture of financial accountability and disciplined decision-making across the organisation.
Financial Planning, Budgeting & Analysis
Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting process and develop long-term financial plans aligned with business objectives.
Establish financial targets, monitor performance against budgets, and provide regular variance analysis.
Develop financial models, business cases, and scenario analyses to support strategic and operational decisions.
Provide actionable insights on revenue, margins, costs, working capital, and profitability.
Identify opportunities to improve financial performance, operational efficiency, and return on investment.
Financial Reporting & Governance
Ensure the timely and accurate preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports.
Oversee the preparation and review of income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, management accounts, and other financial reports.
Ensure the integrity and accuracy of financial records across all business units and entities.
Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, IFRS, tax regulations, statutory requirements, and other relevant financial regulations.
Strengthen financial governance, reporting standards, and accountability across the organisation.
Audit, Controls & Risk Management
Establish, implement, and continuously improve effective financial controls, policies, and procedures.
Identify, assess, and mitigate financial and operational risks that could affect the organisation’s financial performance.
Ensure timely reconciliation of bank accounts, receivables, payables, ledgers, inventory-related accounts, and other balance sheet accounts.
Coordinate annual external audits and serve as the key liaison with external auditors.
Ensure timely resolution and closure of audit findings and control weaknesses.
Collaborate with relevant functions to strengthen internal controls and reduce financial leakage.
Cash Flow & Working Capital Management
Lead the effective management and forecasting of the Group’s cash flow and liquidity position.
Ensure adequate liquidity to support business operations while optimising the use of available funds.
Monitor working capital, cash conversion cycles, receivables, payables, and inventory-related financial exposure.
Oversee accounts payable and accounts receivable processes to ensure timely payments and collections.
Develop and implement strategies to improve cash conversion and minimise working capital constraints.
Provide regular visibility to the CRO on cash position, liquidity requirements, and projected funding needs.
Cost & Profitability Management
Partner with business and functional leaders to monitor and control operating costs.
Review cost structures and identify opportunities for cost optimisation without compromising product quality or customer experience.
Monitor gross margins, operating margins, contribution margins, and profitability across business units, channels, and key product categories.
Provide financial analysis to support cost, pricing, sourcing, production, and commercial decisions.
Challenge assumptions and expenditure proposals to ensure alignment with business priorities and expected returns.
Capital Management & Fundraising
Evaluate and optimise the organisation’s capital structure and funding requirements.
Lead the development of funding strategies and fundraising initiatives where required to support business growth.
Evaluate financing options and provide recommendations to the CRO and Board.
Maintain relationships with banks, financial institutions, investors, and other relevant financial stakeholders.
Ensure effective allocation of capital to initiatives that deliver sustainable business value.
Retail, Manufacturing & Inventory Finance
Provide financial oversight across the Group’s retail and manufacturing operations.
Develop and monitor financial metrics relevant to retail performance, including store profitability, sales margins, stock turnover, markdowns, shrinkage, and contribution.
Partner with Operations, Merchandising, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing teams to improve inventory productivity and working capital efficiency.
Monitor manufacturing costs, production variances, material consumption, overheads, and product costing.
Provide financial insights to support inventory planning, purchasing, production, and expansion decisions.
Finance Systems, Processes & Digitalization
Review and continuously improve finance processes, systems, and controls to support business growth and scalability.
Ensure effective utilisation of ERP and financial management systems.
Lead initiatives to improve the automation, accuracy, timeliness, and accessibility of financial information.
Establish appropriate financial dashboards, reports, and management information to support decision-making.
Ensure finance processes are scalable, efficient, and aligned with organisational needs.
Team Leadership & Development
Lead, manage, and develop the Finance team to deliver high-quality financial services to the organisation.
Set clear performance expectations and accountability standards for the Finance function.
Conduct regular performance reviews and provide coaching, feedback, and development opportunities.
Build a high-performance culture characterised by accuracy, integrity, responsiveness, commercial awareness, and continuous improvement.
Ensure appropriate succession planning and capability development within the Finance function.
Stakeholder Management
Build strong working relationships with the CRO, Executive Leadership Team, Board, department heads, auditors, banks, regulators, and other key stakeholders.
Communicate complex financial information clearly and translate financial data into practical business recommendations.
Provide timely escalation of material financial risks, issues, and opportunities to the CRO.
Promote financial literacy and accountability among non-finance leaders.
Key Performance Indicators
Success in this role will be measured through, among others:
Achievement of approved financial and profitability targets.
Accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting and management accounts.
Improved cash flow, liquidity, and working capital management.
Effective budget management and variance control.
Improvement in gross margins and overall profitability.
Strengthening of internal controls and reduction of financial risks and leakages.
Timely completion of audits and closure of audit findings.
Improved inventory productivity and financial performance across retail and manufacturing operations.
Successful delivery of finance systems and process improvement initiatives.
Effectiveness, capability, and performance of the Finance team.
Quality and timeliness of financial insights provided to management for decision-making.
Qualifications & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related discipline.
Professional accounting qualification is essential
(e.g., ICAN, ACCA, or equivalent).
A postgraduate qualification in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related discipline will be an advantage.
Minimum of
10 years’ relevant finance and accounting experience
, with at least
5 years in a senior Finance Management role
within a structured corporate environment.
Experience in a
trading, retail, FMCG, manufacturing, fashion, or consumer-facing organisation
is highly desirable.
Strong knowledge of corporate finance, financial reporting, budgeting, taxation, treasury, working capital, and management accounting.
Strong understanding of
IFRS
, Nigerian tax regulations, and applicable financial and corporate regulations.
Proven experience in designing, implementing, and monitoring financial systems, processes, and internal controls.
Demonstrated experience in financial planning, forecasting, cash flow management, budgeting, and commercial analysis.
Experience managing external audits and relationships with financial institutions, auditors, regulators, and other key stakeholders.
Proven experience leading and developing high-performing finance teams.
Core Competencies
Strategic and commercial acumen
Financial leadership
Business partnering
Financial analysis and problem-solving
Budgeting and forecasting
Cash flow and working capital management
Risk management and internal controls
Corporate governance
Stakeholder management and influencing
Leadership and people development
Strong communication and presentation skills
Analytical and detail-oriented approach
Integrity, accountability, and sound professional judgement
Change management and process improvement