Finance Manager

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Employment Type: Full-Time
Department: Finance
Reports To: Country Manager

About the Role

On behalf of our client, a growing company operating in the automotive distribution sector, we are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Finance Manager to lead and strengthen the finance function.

The successful candidate will play a critical role in safeguarding the company's financial position while supporting profitable business growth through effective financial planning, reporting, cash-flow management, working-capital optimization, and strong internal controls.

This role is particularly suited to a finance professional with experience in automotive distribution, import-intensive businesses, FMCG distribution, or other inventory-driven commercial environments.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Planning & Business Partnership

• Lead the annual budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes.
• Develop financial models and scenario analyses to support business growth and investment decisions.
• Partner with senior management and functional leaders to translate business plans into measurable financial targets.
• Monitor financial performance against budgets and forecasts and recommend corrective actions.

Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Oversee accurate recording of financial transactions and ensure effective accounting procedures.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, financial reports, cash-flow reports, and performance dashboards.
• Ensure timely month-end and year-end closing activities.
• Maintain accurate balance-sheet reconciliations and financial records.
• Coordinate internal and external audit activities and ensure timely resolution of audit findings.

Treasury, Banking & Working Capital Management

• Manage cash flow, liquidity planning, payment scheduling, and banking relationships.
• Coordinate trade finance requirements, including Letters of Credit (LCs), supplier payments, and bank guarantees.
• Support effective management of foreign-currency exposure in line with applicable regulations and company policies.
• Strengthen receivables, payables, credit control, and inventory financing practices.
• Maintain strong payment controls and bank reconciliation processes.

Tax, Compliance & Internal Controls

• Ensure timely and accurate tax filings, statutory payments, and financial submissions.
• Ensure compliance with applicable Ethiopian financial, tax, and regulatory requirements.
• Strengthen internal controls, approval processes, reconciliations, and financial documentation.
• Coordinate with auditors, tax advisers, banks, and relevant regulatory authorities.

Commercial, Inventory & Cost Management

• Monitor and analyze inventory values, stock aging, slow-moving items, and potential write-down exposure.
• Support accurate landed-cost calculations for imported products, spare parts, and other inventory.
• Provide financial analysis to support pricing, discounts, promotions, and commercial decisions.
• Monitor gross margins and profitability across products and business activities.
• Strengthen collection and credit-control processes.

Finance Systems & Team Leadership

• Support the effective implementation and utilization of ERP and financial reporting systems.
• Develop and improve finance policies, procedures, reporting routines, and internal controls.
• Lead, coach, and develop the finance team.
• Build effective relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional qualifications such as ACCA, CPA, CIMA, or equivalent are an advantage.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive finance experience, including at least 3 years in a finance management or leadership role.
• Experience in automotive distribution, vehicle or spare-parts importation, FMCG distribution, manufacturing, or another inventory-intensive business is strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of Ethiopian accounting, taxation, banking, foreign currency, and import-related financial practices.
• Strong experience in budgeting, financial reporting, cash-flow management, and working-capital management.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and hands-on experience with an ERP or accounting system.
• Fluency in English and Amharic.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Financial Planning & Analysis
• Budgeting & Forecasting
• Financial Reporting
• Cash Flow & Treasury Management
• Working Capital Management
• Tax & Statutory Compliance
• Internal Controls & Risk Management
• Trade Finance & Import Costing
• Inventory & Landed-Cost Management
• ERP & Financial Systems
• Commercial & Business Acumen
• Leadership & Team Management
• Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills
• High Integrity and Professionalism

Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a hands-on and commercially driven Finance Manager who can combine strong financial discipline with practical business partnering.

The ideal candidate should be comfortable working in a dynamic and growth-oriented business environment, managing financial operations, supporting commercial decisions, and establishing strong finance systems and controls.

Experience in an import-intensive, inventory-driven, automotive, distribution, or similar commercial business will be a strong advantage.

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their updated CV through the application portal.