Head of Finance and Commercial Strategy

Gqeberha, South AfricaFull-timeSeniorOn-sitePosted 6 Oct 2026

Job Overview

A premier distributor of healthcare products seeks a commercially minded Head of Finance & Commercial Strategy to lead the company's financial function and support strategic growth within a fast-growing manufacturing environment. The role is advertised for Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) or East London.

This role goes beyond traditional financial management: you will partner with operations, sales and executive management to drive profitability, optimise manufacturing efficiency and support expansion initiatives — strengthening financial controls, improving operational visibility and guiding investment decisions.

Scope spans financial leadership (strategy, budgeting, forecasting, reporting), commercial and strategic finance (pricing, promotions, scenario modelling), manufacturing and operational finance (COGS, production efficiency, inventory and working capital), capital investment and expansion (ROI and feasibility), and cashflow and funding strategy with banks and investors.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the company's financial strategy, ensuring strong financial governance and sustainable growth

• Oversee budgeting, forecasting and financial planning; ensure accurate, timely management accounts and performance analysis

• Provide clear financial insight to the executive team to support strategic decisions

• Partner with Sales and Marketing to evaluate commercial strategies, pricing models and promotional investments; provide financial modelling and scenario analysis

• Oversee manufacturing cost structures incl. COGS, production efficiency, labour and overhead allocation; reduce financial leakage

• Implement financial controls and reporting systems that improve visibility into production costs and margins; drive inventory and working-capital control

• Evaluate and model ROI for capex (machinery, capacity, facilities) and lead feasibility assessments for new projects

• Manage cashflow planning and support funding discussions with banks, investors and other financial stakeholders

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's 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

• Strong cross-functional leadership, analytical ability and commercial acumen

Skills & Requirements

Financial StrategyCommercial FinanceManufacturing CostingCOGS AnalysisBudgeting & ForecastingFinancial ModellingScenario AnalysisWorking Capital ManagementCapex & ROI EvaluationCashflow ManagementManagement ReportingERP SystemsAdvanced Excel