Commercial Finance Analyst (Supply Chain)

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Position Purpose

To be the Finance Business Partner to the supply chain team. To provide financial insights on supply chain activities and support decision making within the area. Conduct on-going performance analysis; provide recommendations and guidance for profitable growth. To lead the implementation of the non-financial reporting efforts at Lindt South Africa.

• To maintain product costs and controlling related master data within SAP.

• To prepare operations related reports and analysis including cost of goods calculation, inventory and distribution accounting for both Retail and Wholesale.

• To coordinate, implement and lead Non-Financial Reporting within Lindt South Africa. Implement updated regulatory and reporting requirements partnering with the Group NFR Champion / NFR Controller.

Key Responsibilities:

Supply Chain (80%)

COGS

• Maintain integrity of standard costs in the ERP system, including annual review of all standard costs.
• Maintain integrity of controlling related master data in the ERP.
• Assist with the set-up of new items in the ERP and the NPD (New Product Development) Process.
• Support the Head of Commercial Finance for the annual strategic plan, budget process, and April and August revisions to financial estimates for COGS.
• Support the Head of Commercial Finance for Monthly Review of COGS variance (PPV, efficiency and over or under absorption).

Supply Chain

• Provide support and analyze operating expenses of the Supply Chain function.
• Assist the budget process from preparation to implementation for the Supply Chain function, including Distribution, Operating Expense, 3rd party purchases and subcontracting (co-packing).

Internal Reporting

• Ad-hoc support and assistance to finance / controlling team.
• Back-up support for TAGETIK reporting and month-end closing procedures.
• Prepare monthly COGS variance analysis and other Supply Chain related reports.

Commercial Support

• Coordinate with Marketing and Operations costing simulations as part of the NPD (New Product Development) Process.
• Support business case presentation for Supply Chain projects.
• Assist with ad-hoc Business Analysis and Commercial Support as and when needed.

Non-Financial Reporting (20%)

Strong involvement and local lead of Non-Financial Reporting

• Define and implement the non-financial reporting process at Lindt South Africa in close collaboration with Group NFR Champion / NFR Controller.
• Responsible to inform about / forward group information to the adequate group of stakeholders.
• Act as first point of contact for Non-Financial Reporting for Group NFR Champion / NFR Controller and within the local organization.

Coordinate local data collection / internal non-financial reporting

• Coordinate the internal non-financial reporting closings for Budget & Latest Estimates.
• Support Data Collector and Data Validator in the collection & review of relevant data and take over the coordination of local data collection process.
• Support the CFO in plausibility check of data. Act as a Data Validator for KPIs appointed by the CFO.
• Safeguard data submission deadlines for local Subsidiary defined by Group Controlling (defined in Non-Financial Reporting instructions) and adhere to principles set out in the non-financial reporting manual.
• Participate in group audit process if required. In case local audit processes are foreseen, act as first point of contact.
• Follow up on recommendations brought up by the Group / local auditor.
• Participate in non-financial budget and YE-review meetings.

Non-Financial Reporting Regulations

• Keep track of latest developments in Reporting standards and local (country) legislations and assess impact on reporting.
• Attend NFR trainings and train the local organization on the training content (“train the trainer”).
• If necessary, inform the Group NFR Champion / NFR Controller about potential group-wide impact.

Non-Financial Reporting Manual

• Participate in review rounds of the Non-Financial Reporting Manual and give feedback to the group.
• Participate in yearly update call of changes in the Manual coordinated by the group.
• Train local data collectors & validators as per Group requirements.

Lindt internal Control System (LICS) for Non-Financial Reporting

• In cooperation with the dedicated LICS champion, define local application of group-defined standard controls.
• Perform defined LICS controls in line with description stored in BWise and adhere to principles set out in the non-financial reporting manual or coordinate the LICS control performance and testing together with the local LICS champion.

Personal Characteristics:

• Needs to have excellent attention to detail;
• A high level of interpersonal skills and ability to engage, communicate and influence internal and external stakeholders at all operational levels;
• Methodical and structured approach to tasks;
• Able to set priorities and clear targets;
• High flexibility; and
• Able to grow with the level of responsibilities and with the size and structure of the business

Skills and Competencies required:

• University degree and ideally studying towards the CIMA degree;
• A minimum of 2 years experience in a finance analytical role;
• Highly numerate with excellent analytical skills and attention to detail;
• Experience in the area of Accounting/Controlling or internal / external audit with strong sustainability interest or sustainability (controlling and reporting) knowledge with strong affinity for data collection / numbers.
• Strong Excel skills, SAP experience considered to be an advantage