Country Head of Finance - SAI

JOB PURPOSE:

Maersk operates a diversified portfolio of Integrated Logistics services built on solid long-term partnerships with existing and new customers. Our infrastructure includes an expansive cold chain and inland network, and a growing footprint in Supply Chain Management, Depot, Contract Logistics and Air & LCL.  At Maersk we are open on a vision to become a global Integrator of container logistics, connecting and simplifying our customers’ supply chain. You will join a truly ground-breaking journey striving to continue strengthen the focus to become a truly customer-centric company, serving our customers’ individual needs.

The Country Head of Finance plays a critical role in ensuring strong Financial Risk Management and Controls are in place to conduct business. This role is the single point of contact in finance for Southern Africa and the area hence will be required to navigate the finance organization as well as other functions to improve the overall health of finance. The Country Head of Finance will lead a team of country finance leads based in different locations.

The role entails building a trusted relationship with key internal and external stakeholders and working remotely with various teams to achieve desired outcomes.  This role reports into the SAI Area Controlling Manager. The ideal candidate would be an experienced leader with a track record for developing top talents and driving high engagement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the country finance leads team to achieve commercial finance excellence and build a strong Finance community within the Area.

Financial Risk Management & Control:

• Support Accounting to Reporting (ATR), Order to Cash (OTC) and Procure to Pay (P2P) teams by consulting on local specifics rules, government regulations.

• Acknowledge and be aware of what is in the books, while ensuring all one-off transactions, provisions and periodic movements of key balances are documented by ATR, to ensure integrity and credibility of our financial statements.

• Area tax compliance, support on frontline tax assessments and oversee tax filings.

• Execute, manage and control E2E financial processes for non-GSC entities (until offshored).

• JVs performance management and Board engagement, incl. consolidation of all preparation needed ahead of board meetings.

• CAPEX controlling especially on physical assets.

• Support frontline business functions by providing expertise on financial procedures and assess impacts, ensuring alignment with APMM GAAP for e.g., reviewing investment proposals, sustainability reporting etc.

• Have sufficient overview and assurance of compliant B/S and P&L together with ATR (given the local liability).

• Support ATR in timely closure of Audit processes and review final Audit observations

• Anchor point for RICC in the frontline and drives overall effectiveness for the Area and action plans for open audit issues.

• Drive a robust control environment which mitigates all material control risks in the Area.

• Ensure that internal and external audits are closed without any significant findings, and appropriate follow-up actions are taken on open finding to close them.

• Ensure that the control self-attestation is performed and reported correctly and is being performed consistently in an upright manner.

Financial Compliance & Transformation:

• Support the Area Financial Compliance lead and Area Finance Transformation lead.

• Accountable for ensuring financial compliance towards any local government.

• Ensure that statutory financial reports are prepared on time and in accordance with local regulations, with no gaps or unreported provisions together with ATR.

Cash Flow Management:

• Provide continuous support in reducing trapped cash and optimize working capital processes to fund the business.

• Reduce trapped cash and collaborate / support Treasury on different initiatives, by ensuring all required documents are provided and available for fast cash outflow. Keep updated with all local developments which can prevent or enable cash expatriation.

• Monitor and support performance management periodically with GSC and Business functions on Accounts Receivables and Payables.

• Review vendor creation requests (Master data) for SGA (until offshored).

• Review and provide necessary approvals/recommendations for exceptional payments in line with GAM.

• Maintain local guidance on cash processes with aim to eliminate physical cash and improve cashflow.

• Collaborates in an optimal manner with the different functions within the organization on payment terms with vendors and credit terms with customers by providing support in assessing finance solutions.

• Ensure that we have optimized cash flow across the area and minimum liquidity in each country.

• Ensure sufficient cash is maintained within the legal entity to enable normal business operations daily.

• Reduce cost of capital (in collaboration with AR and AP).

• Assist Treasury to maintain strong relationship with the local banks and continuously evaluate opportunities for improvements (overdraft, rates, etc.).

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Someone with:  

• A financial educational background (i.e., MBA or master’s degree in finance, Accounting or Tax or a Chartered Accountant qualification)

• At least 5 - 7 years of prior business experience

• Previous experience in leading a team in finance will be highly preferred

• Attention to detail

• Experience in the FMCG or logistics/shipping industry is a major advantage

• Communication skills: ability to condense thoughts and package data for precise/timely decision making in aesthetically pleasing formats 

• Cross-functional collaboration

• High level of integrity

• Local Compliance and Regulatory knowledge

• Holds great structure

• Ownership

• Excellent in written and spoken English

• Stakeholder Management 

• Working remotely with various teams to achieve desired outcomes

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Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we embrace different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.

We are happy to support your need for any adjustments during the application and hiring process. If you need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website, apply for a position, or to perform a job, please contact us by emailing  accommodationrequests@maersk.com.