East London: Head of Finance and Commercial Strategy (Manufacturing) posted by Abantu Staffing Solutions

Overview:

Our client, in the manufacturing sector (health supplements, complementary medicines and food supplements) is seeking a commercially minded Head of Finance & Commercial Strategy to lead the companys financial function and support strategic growth within a fast-growing manufacturing environment.

This role goes beyond traditional financial management and requires a leader who can partner with operations, sales, and executive management to drive profitability, optimise manufacturing efficiency, and support expansion initiatives. The successful candidate will play a critical role in strengthening financial controls, improving operational visibility, and guiding investment decisions as the company continues to scale its brands and manufacturing capacity.

They are looking for someone who:

• A finance leader who can bridge the gap between finance and operations.
• Someone who understands manufacturing profitability and operational efficiency, not just accounting.
• A commercially focused thinker who can help guide the companys next phase of growth.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance, or Economics (CA(SA), CIMA, or CFA advantageous)
• 5+ years experience in finance leadership roles, ideally within manufacturing, FMCG, or production environments
• Strong experience in financial modelling, operational finance, and commercial analysis
• Solid understanding of manufacturing costing, inventory management, and margin optimisation
• Advanced Excel and ERP/accounting system experience

Responsibilities:

Financial Leadership

• Lead the companys financial strategy, ensuring strong financial governance and sustainable business growth.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning across the business.
• Provide clear financial insight to the executive team to support strategic decision-making.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, including management accounts and performance analysis.

Commercial & Strategic Finance

• Partner with sales and marketing teams to evaluate commercial strategies, pricing models, and promotional investments.
• Provide financial modelling and scenario analysis for strategic initiatives and growth opportunities.
• Translate financial data into actionable insights that support business performance.

Manufacturing & Operational Finance

• Oversee manufacturing cost structures including COGS, production efficiency, labour, and overhead allocation.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and reduce financial leakage across the production environment.
• Implement financial controls and reporting systems that improve visibility into production costs and margins.
• Work closely with operations to ensure optimal inventory management and working capital control.

Capital Investment & Expansion

• Evaluate and model ROI for capital expenditure including machinery, production capacity increases, and facility improvements.
• Support strategic decisions relating to manufacturing expansion, operational investments, and infrastructure development.
• Lead financial feasibility assessments for new projects and business initiatives.

Cashflow & Funding Strategy

• Manage cashflow planning and working capital requirements.
• Support funding discussions with banks, investors, and other financial stakeholders where required.
• Ensure financial resilience as the company scales its operations.

Competencies:

(Knowledge, skills and attributes)

• A finance leader who can bridge the gap between finance and operations.
• Someone who understands manufacturing profitability and operational efficiency, not just accounting.
• A commercially focused thinker who can help guide the companys next phase of growth.