Finance Manager

At Smollan Technologies, we power smarter decisions, sharper execution, and measurable growth across the retail value chain. As the unified technology and data arm of the Smollan Group, we bring together the industry’s most trusted data, software, AI, and cloud capabilities into a single, connected retail technology ecosystem.

Our mission is simple: to deliver retail precision. We empower brands, retailers, and distributors to turn complex data into clear, actionable insight. By integrating advanced analytics, predictive modelling, image recognition, and cloud infrastructure, we build intelligent systems that embed AI into daily decisions - enabling our clients to optimise performance from planning through to in-store and digital execution.

We don't just manage data; we turn it into a predictive engine. If you are ready to move away from traditional, retro-reflective reporting and want to lead financial stewardship in a dynamic, high-growth tech environment, we want to hear from you.

THE VISION

Our vision for our Finance Manager is to serve as a highly skilled financial professional and registered CA(SA), providing end-to-end financial stewardship, commercial finance support, and reporting oversight specifically for the Data and Software Pillars of Smollan Technologies.

In this role, the Finance Manager will deliver dedicated financial leadership and act as a pivotal business partner to our operational and commercial teams. The core objective is to drive strategic financial planning to support our growth objectives while managing the full accounting function - including budgeting, forecasting, and FP&A - and ensuring strict adherence to internal control standards, IFRS requirements, and local tax regulations for robust controls and accurate statutory reporting.

Crucially, this role will actively leverage AI adoption, systems automation, process improvements, and optimisation to deliver actionable financial insights that directly elevate operational efficiency across the Data Pillar.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

1. Financial Reporting

• Manage the end-to-end financial reporting process, ensuring the accurate and timely production of monthly management accounts and variance analysis, within reporting deadlines.
• Oversee the preparation of multi-currency, multi-entity financial statements in strict compliance with IFRS.
• Maintain and improve the models and ensure all intercompany eliminations are complete and accurate.
• Prepare comprehensive finance management packs and financial reports

2. Budgeting, Forecasting & FP&A

• Lead and coordinate the annual budgeting, rolling forecasts, and strategic 3-year planning cycles across the business unit.
• Partner with operational stakeholders to set financial targets and evaluate quantitative deviations against demonstrated norms.
• Build and maintain financial models to track KPIs, profitability, and monitor the financial impact of new commercial strategies.

3. Commercial Finance & Business Partnering

• Act as a strategic commercial partner to the leadership team, providing financial insights that support pricing strategies, product profitability, and new business initiatives.
• Assess and evaluate the viability of new tech solutions, partnerships, and service offerings via robust commercial frameworks.
• Translate complex financial data into actionable commercial recommendations for non-financial executives.

4. Cash Flow & Working Capital Management

• Manage the cash and treasury, focusing on cash flow optimisation, working capital efficiency, and liquidity forecasting.
• Ensure bank processes, controls, cash management, and payments are efficiently managed across the cluster bank accounts
• Execute and monitor foreign exchange strategies, including the close-out and valuation of forward exchange contracts where applicable.
• Ensure adequate funding requirements are met across entities to sustain daily operations and planned capital expenditures (CAPEX).

5. Statutory Compliance, Audit & Tax

• Serve as the primary liaison for internal and external auditors, managing the annual audit process to ensure seamless execution and clean audit reports.
• Post-audit, review and sign off on the draft annual financial statements and distribute and share with the executive and other key stakeholders as required, within Group timelines
• Ensure compliance with all local statutory requirements, taxation laws, and VAT regulations across operating regions.
• Review and/ or prepare all tax-related calculations and filings for all entities
• Implement and maintain robust internal financial controls, identifying risks and recommending process improvements.

6. Team Leadership & Operations

• Lead, manage, train, and mentor the finance team, ensuring high performance, continuous professional development, and accuracy of output.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, capacity planning, and recruitment
• Foster a culture of accountability, precision, and proactive problem-solving within the team.
• Take full responsibility for the performance of direct reports, managing their performance in relation to quality standards, People processes and agreed benchmarks and objectives, focusing on all aspects of sound people management

7. Systems, Data Integrity & Process Improvement

• Drive system implementation, ERP enhancements, and process automation to scale the finance function efficiently.
• Monitor data integrity between financial, operational, and logistical systems to ensure a "single source of truth".
• Standardise accounting policies and procedures across all entities to ensure consistent application of financial standards.

8. AI Adoption & Automation Efficiencies

• Identify, evaluate, and implement AI-driven tools and smart financial software to automate routine accounting tasks, anomaly detection, and data ingestion.
• Continuously review financial operations to eliminate manual friction points, streamline close cycles, and enhance reporting efficiency.
• Leverage automated reporting tools and predictive AI models to improve forecasting accuracy and scenario planning.

WHAT YOU WOULD NEED

Minimum Qualifications

• Professional / Tertiary: Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) qualification is mandatory.
• Post Graduate Diploma in Accounting / BCom Honours in Accounting or Financial Management.

Minimum Experience

• Professional Experience: At least 5-8 years of post-article professional experience, preferably within the FMCG, Retail, Technology, or Financial Services industries.
• Financial Leadership: Proven track record of managing full P&L, multi-currency reporting, and statutory compliance across multiple entities.
• Team Management: Demonstrated experience supervising and developing direct reports, driving continuous performance management.

Competencies

• Strategic Financial & Commercial Acumen: Deep understanding of value creation, profitability analysis, and the financial dynamics of tech/retail environments.
• Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving: Highly numerate with the ability to analyse complex data sets, interpret trends, and provide data-driven recommendations.
• Leadership & Team Development: Strong team player with continuous performance management skills to motivate, train, and develop finance personnel.
• Adaptability & Resilience: Ability to thrive in a high-paced, rapidly changing environment and manage multi-currency/multi-entity complexities under pressure.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication: Excellent capability to present clear financial insights to executive boards and collaborate effectively with non-financial stakeholders.
• Ethical & Governance Focus: Uncompromising integrity and a strong focus on maintaining robust internal controls and audit readiness.
• AI Automation & Financial Transformation: Proven capability to leverage AI-driven financial tools, automated reporting frameworks, and predictive ana