Finance Manager

Job description

Company Impala Terminals facilitates the global trade of commodities by offering producers and consumers reliable and efficient access to international markets. Through its network of strategically located assets in multiple countries, Impala provides critical storage and logistics infrastructure services dry bulk customers around the world. Main Purpose The Finance Manager is the senior financial leader for Impala Terminals Zambia Ltd, responsible for the full spectrum of financial management including financial reporting, balance sheet integrity, statutory and tax compliance, internal controls, treasury management, and business partnering with operational teams. The role supports the Country Manager in strategic and operational decision-making by providing accurate, timely, and insightful financial information. The Finance Manager is the primary financial spokesperson for the entity and is always accountable for the financial health and compliance of the business Key Responsibilities: Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Activity Balance Sheet Ownership & Accounting Management Own, review & report full balance sheet monthly; ensure all balance sheet accounts — including accruals, provisions, prepayments, tax accounts, intercompany balances, fixed assets, and suspense accounts — are fully reconciled, supported by documentation, and cleared within agreed timelines Perform day to day accounting supervisory functions such as approving invoices, passing journal entries, tax computations, etc Provide direct line management to the Procurement Officer; oversee procurement processes to ensure adherence to the Group's procurement policy, delegation of authority matrix, and cost control objectives. Review and approve purchase orders and vendor contracts within defined authority limits; ensure procurement activity is aligned to budgets and operationally justified. Supervise and control the petty cash fund; ensure petty cash is maintained within approved float limits, supported by valid receipts and vouchers, reconciled on a weekly basis, and replenished through a properly authorised process. Ensure petty cash expenditure is coded to the correct cost centers and reviewed for business justification before reimbursement Conduct periodic surprise counts of petty cash to ensure completeness and deter misuse. Management Reporting & Financial Analysis Lead the month-end close process as per Group deadlines Prepare and present monthly financial performance reports to local, regional and global management, highlighting key financial trends and risks Develop and maintain operational KPI-to-financial performance bridges; Reconcile warehouse throughput volumes, logistics movements, trucking activity, and other operational metrics to revenue and cost lines monthly Prepare annual budgets and quarterly forecasts in line with Group timelines; monitor performance against budget and provide meaningful variance analysis Tax Compliance & Statutory Reporting Meet all statutory tax obligations, including VAT, Withholding Tax (WHT), Corporate Income Tax (CIT), PAYE, and any other applicable levies; ensure timely filing, payment, and reconciliation of all tax accounts to the general ledger. Maintain a tax compliance calendar and ensure zero instances of late filing, underpayment, or unreconciled tax control accounts. Liaise with external tax advisors and the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) as required; manage tax audits and queries professionally and proactively. Keep abreast of changes in Zambian tax legislation and assess their financial and operational impact on the business; communicate changes top relevant teams in a timely manner. Prepare and submit all statutory financial statements in compliance with IFRS and local regulatory requirements Internal Controls, Audit Readiness & Compliance Ensure all journal entries are supported, reviewed, and approved in line with the Group's delegation of authority (DOA) matrix; maintain a complete and auditable journal entry log; Conduct periodic self-assessments of controls and proactively address weaknesses before internal or external audit; prepare and track remediation plans for any identified control gaps. Ensure the business is always audit-ready; coordinate and manage external and internal audit processes, providing timely and accurate responses to audit queries. Ensure compliance with all Group financial policies, procedures, and reporting standards. Cash Flow & Treasury Management Forecast and escalate funding needs to management in a timely and structured manner Monitor foreign exchange exposure and escalate material FX risks Ensure all intercompany transactions and balances are reconciled monthly and confirmed with counterpart entities. Finance Team Leadership & Development Lead, manage, and develop the Finance team, setting clear performance expectations and conducting regular performance reviews. Train team on accounting, financial management, internal controls, compliance etc. Build a culture of accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement within the Finance function. CHESS Leadership and Accountability To lead all employees in ensuring that the safety culture at the Terminal is improved and upheld. To lead investigations, implement corrective action, and review CHESS performance at scheduled intervals. Ensure compliance with all CHESS policies, procedures and regulatory requirements across Terminal operations. Resource Allocation & Strategy Planning Allocate adequate resources (personnel, equipment, budget) for CHESS programs and initiatives. Develop and approve annual CHESS objectives, targets, and improvement plans for the Terminal. Stakeholder Engagement & Community Relations Maintain positive relationships with local communities, regulatory bodies and emergency services. Minimum Qualifications & Experience Education - Fully qualified accountant: ACCA, CA Zambia, or internationally recognised equivalent Experience - Minimum 7 years of progressive finance experience, with at least 3 years in a Finance Manager or equivalent senior finance role Industry - Experience in logistics, warehousing, terminals, commodities trading, or a comparable operational industry not mandatory but strongly preferred Environment - Prior experience in a multinational or Group reporting environment is strongly preferred Systems - Proficiency in ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Navision or equivalent) Jurisdiction - Demonstrated experience managing tax compliance in Zambia Behavioural Competencies High level of integrity, professional ethics, and confidentiality Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a hands-on approach Excellent attention to detail and accuracy Effective communication skills with the ability to present financial data clearly to non-finance stakeholders, including operational and senior management teams Ability to challenge operational teams constructively and translate business activity into financial outcomes Strong leadership and team development capabilities Key Relationships: Internal: Senior Leadership Financial Controller – Primary reporting line; financial performance, risk, and strategic support Regional Financial Controller - Group reporting, financial planning, and performance reviews Country Manager – Dotted reporting line with day-to-day finance and accounting assistance Asset Director and Regional Manager – Reporting Operational Teams Warehouse Manager – Cost tracking, budget management, and operational KPIs Logistics/Transport Managers – Freight cost analysis, route optimization, and fleet expenses Procurement Team – Vendor payment terms, purchase order management, and cost control Inventory/Stock Control – Inventory valuation, stock reconciliation, and shrinkage analysis Customer Service – Billing queries, customer account management, and credit control Support Functions Tax, Legal, Compliance, Corporate Secretarial IT Department Finance Team Local Accounting Team Group’s Shared Services team assisting in AR/AP/Treasury functions External Financial & Regulatory Statutory Auditors Tax Advisors Tax and Customs Authority Banks/Financial Institutions Insurance Providers Business Partners Customers Suppliers/Vendors Freight Forwarders/Carriers Landlords/Property Managers Regulatory Bodies Government Agencies Industry Regulators Equal Opportunity Employer We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and take pride in a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, medical condition or handicap, disability, or any other legally protected status.