Job Description
- Sets out a clarified and amended scope for the CFO role
- Ensures alignment to the operating reality, the type of CFO required, and the non-negotiable capabilities needed for success
- Confirms this is not a conventional corporate CFO role
- Defines an operational, turnaround-oriented mandate focused on stabilisation, rebuild, and execution
OPERATING CONTEXT
- Operates in a low IT maturity environment with weak systems and heavy Excel reliance
- Fragmented data across four related but different operating units
- Requires strong reporting capability and a solid grasp of operational KPIs driving performance
- Mandate to restore confidence in the accuracy of financial results and trading performance
- Focus on streamlining accurate reporting
- Linking financial reporting to appropriate operational metrics
- Tracking turnaround initiatives
- Operating within a working capital constrained environment
THE SIX FACES OF THE CFO – RSA CONTEXT
Transactional
- Ensuring accurate, timely execution of core financial processes through direct involvement
- Journals, accruals, reconciliations, GL clean-ups, Excel-based reporting, fixing errors
- Dependency: None
- Current priority: Very High
Controllership & Governance
- Establishing discipline, controls and trust in the numbers
- Close calendars, balance sheet ownership, audits, SOPs, approval frameworks
- Dependency: Strong FM
- Current priority: High
Turnaround Specialist
- Stabilising a stressed business through decisive, hands-on intervention
- Cash visibility, collections, cost containment, rapid fixes, tough trade-offs
- Dependency: Logistics experience
- Current priority: Very High
Business Partnering
- Supporting operations and commercial teams with insight
- Route, customer and fleet profitability, KPIs, variance analysis
- Dependency: Logistics experience
- Current priority: Medium
Growth & Strategy
- Enabling sustainable long-term growth and value creation
- Capital allocation, pricing strategy, network optimisation
- Dependency: M&A activities, post-merger integrations
- Current priority: Low
Digital & Transformation
- Using systems, data and automation to improve efficiency and insight
- ERP stabilisation, BI, automation, data flow improvement
- Dependency: Background in system onboarding
- Current priority: Low
NON-NEGOTIABLE REQUIREMENTS
Hands-On Transactional Capability
- Willing and able to personally execute transactional finance work when FM capability is weak
- Rebuilding management accounts in Excel
- Reviewing and fixing reconciliations
- Correcting GL mappings
- Working outside the ERP
- Directly stabilising month-end close
Rationale
- Inconsistent FM capability means transactional execution is essential
- Controllership and governance cannot function without hands-on execution
- Someone must physically do the work to stabilise the finance engine
Failure Indicators
- Delegates immediately despite weak execution below
- Has not done transactional work in years
- Frames execution as temporary admin
- Focuses only on review, oversight, or governance
- Month-end issues persist without resolution
Turnaround Grit and Tolerance for Discomfort
- Psychologically and behaviourally suited to operating in a messy, manual, under-developed environment
- Tolerance for poor data, weak systems, slow progress, repeated re-work
- Willingness to do work below traditional CFO status for an extended period
Rationale
- First 6–12 months will be uncomfortable and non-linear
- Progress will be slow and unglamorous
- CFOs expecting structure, automation, or quick wins typically disengage or fail
Failure Indicators
- Visible frustration with chaos
- Premature rush to future-state solutions
- Loss of energy after initial effort
- Defensive or disengaged behaviour
- Discomfort with manual or low-status work
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE PROFILE
- Logistics experience
- CA(SA)
- Proven experience leading turnaround environments
- Proven experience operating in non-system driven, low process maturity and technology environments
- Strong reliance on Excel-based processes
- Demonstrated ability to upskill and develop the finance function
CONCLUSION
- The CFO role is a stabilise-first mandate
- Requires execution capability and personal grit
How to Apply
Click the green “Go Apply” button below to apply directly online with the employer.
About Operations Management Jobs in Gauteng
Career opportunities in Operations Management positions are highly sought after in Gauteng, South Africa, driven by the growing demand for efficient and effective business operations in various industries. Typically, Operations Managers play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth functioning of an organization’s day-to-day activities, with a common requirement being a strong understanding of supply chain management, inventory control, and quality assurance.
Generally, salaries for Operations Management roles in Gauteng can vary widely depending on factors such as experience, company size, industry sector, and specific job requirements. While it is difficult to pinpoint exact salary ranges, broad estimates suggest that junior Operations Managers can expect a salary range of around R400 000 to R700 000 per annum, with senior roles potentially falling within the range of R800 000 to R1.2 million. However, these figures are highly variable and should be taken as rough estimates, rather than actual salaries.
Common skills required for Operations Management roles in Gauteng typically include strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, excellent communication and leadership skills, experience with supply chain management software, knowledge of inventory control systems, and a proven track record of process improvement. Additionally, proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, is often an essential requirement. Other relevant skills may include experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, lean manufacturing principles, and Six Sigma methodologies.
The financial services sector, technology industry, manufacturing sector, and logistics sector are among the most common industries that employ Operations Managers in Gauteng. These roles often involve managing day-to-day operations, implementing process improvements, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Career development opportunities for Operations Managers in Gauteng can vary widely, depending on individual goals and aspirations. Typically, junior Operations Managers may progress to senior leadership roles within the organization, while others may choose to pursue specialized certifications or advanced degrees in fields such as supply chain management or operations research. Others may seek to transition into related roles, such as business analysis or project management, while still leveraging their operational expertise.
This information provides general career guidance. Actual salaries and requirements vary by employer.
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