Commercial Analyst

Position Title: Commercial Analyst 

Position Type: Regular - Full-Time ​

Requisition ID: 42386 

MAIN JOB PURPOSE: 

Owning the financial processing, reporting and planning of the Retail division. The role acts as a business partner to the commercial teams Sales, Marketing and Category, as well as

Managing the Trade spend for the company via:

1. 
   
   
   
   1. Trade Spend finance controlling processes,
   
   
   2. Driving Trade Spend performance mgmt. processes (e.g. forecasting), and
   
   
   3. Continuously optimising information and analytics.
   
   
   
   

JOB SUMMARY

• Support Commercial decisions around promotions and work around accruals
  
  
  
  • Collection of budgets/forecasts
  
  
  • Checking actuals vs plan pre and post top downs
  
  
  • Analysis of variances
  
  
  • Tracking of writebacks/top ups
  
  
  • Monthly reconciliation of commitment vs accrual
  
  
  • Tracking and understanding all adhoc advertising budgets
  
  
  
  

• Ensure right level of investments behind channels/categories/activities/customers 
  
  
  
  • Sense check cash up vs known upcoming activities
  
  
  • Volume vs spend FC analysis
  
  
  • Seek opportunities to optimise spend
  
  
  
  

• Partner with KAMs and Trade Analyst to manage performance
  
  
  
  •  Changes in forecast in a standardised way across all accounts & channels
  
  
  • Support initiatives to close gaps
  
  
  • Intervene where required
  
  
  • Mitigate risks and deliver opportunities
  
  
  
  

• Communicate & manage results
  
  
  
  • Updating monthly P&L review and create variance report by spend bucket
  
  
  • Understand drivers behind gaps vs forecast
  
  
  • Opportunities to increase or pull back investment
  
  
  
  

• Help develop KAM customer investment plans
  
  
  
  • Margin statements/ Scenario analysis when required
  
  
  • Evaluate the feasibility and return on single promotional activities and full promotional plans on their own (smaller investments) or with support (larger investments)
  
  
  
  

• Analyse and present monthly trade results.

• Forecasting done by division by customer and analysis of YTD vs YTG
  
  
  
  • Continuous communication with KAMS on changes to forecast
  
  
  • Analysis of in-month spend
  
  
  
  

• Monitoring, analysis, control and forecasting of contractual spend
  
  
  
  • Ensuring new terms are loaded and checks post loading of new terms
  
  
  • Analysis of impact of trade term changes
  
  
  • Monthly reviews of credit notes
  
  
  • Growth targets vs actuals review – opportunities for savings
  
  
  • Rebate calc quarterly review or as required
  
  
  • Continuous balance sheet clean - up review
  
  
  • Understand reason behind aged deductions/claims
  
  
  
  

Budget and Forecast Process

• 
  
  
  
  • Drive  monthly, quarterly and annual forecast
  
  
  • Drive financial planning and budgeting process by developing financial models that allow for accurate P&L reporting and analytics for the team
  
  
  • Work closely with IBP teams and Commercial teams to financialise forecast so as to always determine how off or on target the cycles are.
  
  
  • Ensure that forecast are accurate, timely and are in line with organization goals
  
  
  • Incorporate identified risks and opportunities into financial plans
  
  
  • Create monthly forecast
  
  
  
  

Volume, revenue and margin analytics (Mix, Brand, Category, Profitability) 

• 
  
  
  
  • Produce and maintain daily, monthly management reports
  
  
  • Partner with commercial teams to develop and maintain reporting that allows for clear visibility and accountability
  
  
  • Review of historical trends, current and future trends and help identify gaps or opportunities
  
  
  • Produce meaningful variance comparisons of actual vs budget
  
  
  • Provide coherent and relevant commentary to commercial teams on current, past and future performance
  
  
  • Develop and maintain analytics that Drive Customer profitability
  
  
  • Develop and maintain analytics that drive product profitability
  
  
  • Delivery of various financial scenario plans that contribute to overall top tine growth
  
  
  • Perform sales variance analysis (vs Budget, Forecast and PYR). Identify key products/drivers impacting sales performance
  
  
  • Perform gross profit analysis. Identify key drivers impacting gross profit performance
  
  
  
  

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Qualifications – Completed either Financial / Accounting Degree/ Chartered Accountant or CIMA Qualified


• Work experience-  Minimum of 5 years in a similar role within FMCG


• Strong financial acumen including understanding of the P&L and which financial levers impact it 


• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills


• Sound fact-based decision making and problem solving ability with a focus on delivering results 


• Superior computer skills including Power BI, SAP, Advanced PowerPoint and Excel


• Strong Business Partnering, Ability to influence across all levels, Strong Team Player, ability to handle and work under pressure and to tight deadlines, ability to work with remote teams and drive action. Self starter able to take initiative and work independently

McCain Foods is an equal opportunity employer. As a global family-owned company, we strive to be the employer of choice in the diverse communities around the world in which we live and work. We recognize that inclusion drives our creativity, resilience, and success and makes our business stronger. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

McCain is an accessible employer. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process (including alternate formats of materials or accessible meeting rooms), please let us know  and we will work with you to find appropriate solutions. 

Your privacy is important to us. By submitting personal data or information to us, you agree this will be handled in accordance with McCain’s Global Privacy Policy and Global Employee Privacy Policy, as applicable. McCain leverages AI in the hiring process, though all final decisions are made by humans. You can understand our approach to AI and how your personal information is being handled here. 

Job Family: Finance      
Division: South Africa 
Department: ​Finance Sales Management ​
Location(s): ZA - South Africa : Gauteng : Johannesburg 

Company: McCain Foods (S Africa)