Commercial Finance Analyst

Confidential, Africa
Full-time
employees
Skills: Finance analysis, Trade spend evaluation, Commercial Insight, Channel Profitability

About The Job

Company Desciption:

 

A subsidiary of a well-established multinational group, this organization is a leading consumer goods distributor in Africa. Specializing in the distribution, marketing, and import of premium food, non-food, and beverage products, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic options. Leveraging extensive market expertise, innovative strategies, and strong partnerships, the company ensures efficient distribution and consumer satisfaction. As part of a global supply chain network, it is committed to delivering world-class solutions and driving growth in competitive markets.

Role Desciption:

 

Job Summary

The role is responsible for providing financial insights and support to drive commercial decisions. This includes managing trade spends, analyzing business performance, preparing financial models, and partnering with sales and marketing teams to ensure profitable growth. The candidate will play a key role in budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and monitoring ROI on trade investments.

Key Responsibilities

Business Partnering

  • Work closely with Sales, Marketing, and Trade Marketing teams to provide financial insights that drive growth and profitability.

  • Support strategic decision-making by translating financial data into actionable business recommendations.

Trade Spend Management

  • Monitor, analyze, and control trade spends to ensure ROI and alignment with business objectives.

  • Provide detailed visibility on promotions, discounts, and channel spends to optimize efficiency.

Financial Planning & Analysis

  • Lead budgeting and forecasting processes with accuracy and business alignment.

  • Conduct variance analysis to highlight gaps, risks, and opportunities for performance improvement.

P&L and Cost Management

  • Drive ownership of P&L at category/channel level and recommend actions for margin improvement.

  • Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising business growth.

Financial Modelling & Reporting

  • Develop and maintain robust financial models for pricing, promotions, and new business initiatives.

  • Deliver timely MIS reports, dashboards, and presentations for leadership review.

Governance & Compliance

  • Ensure adherence to internal controls, company policies, and financial compliance standards.

  • Act as a trusted finance partner, balancing governance with business agility.

Qualifications:

 

  • Chartered Accountant (CA) – mandatory

  • 8–12 years’ experience in Commercial Finance / Business Finance

  • FMCG / Consumer Goods background preferred

  • Strong in financial modelling, trade marketing finance, and commercial analysis

  • Business-oriented mindset with ability to influence stakeholders