Group Finance Manager / Financial Controller - Zambia

Black Pearl Consult is hiring an experienced Group Finance Manager / Financial Controller, responsible for overseeing financial management, reporting, and controls across three privately owned businesses, including a growing FMCG manufacturing operation. The successful candidate will be based primarily within the manufacturing business and will have direct responsibility for its accounting and finance function, while also providing group-level financial oversight, reporting, and control across the other family-owned businesses. This is a hands-on and commercially focused finance leadership role, rather than a purely bookkeeping position. The ideal candidate will be highly trustworthy, independent-minded, and confident in providing shareholders with clear and accurate visibility of the group's financial position, expenditure, controls, and financial risks. The role will report directly to the owners/shareholders and will be responsible for providing independent and timely monthly financial reporting. Key Responsibilities Lead the day-to-day finance and accounting function of the manufacturing business. Manage month-end closing, management accounts, financial reporting, reconciliations, and product costing. Prepare accurate and timely financial reports for the owners/shareholders. Provide group-level financial oversight across three privately owned businesses. Establish and strengthen financial controls across the group, including: Payment approval limits Segregation of duties Bank reconciliations Procurement controls Inventory and stock verification Expense controls Review expenditure and financial transactions and identify discrepancies, unusual transactions, control weaknesses, or potential breaches. Escalate significant financial concerns and control issues directly to the shareholders. Manage cash flow forecasting, budgeting, working capital, foreign exchange transactions, and import payments. Ensure compliance with applicable statutory requirements, including ZRA, NAPSA, and NHIMA. Coordinate and manage external audits and ensure timely resolution of audit findings. Standardise accounting procedures, financial controls, and reporting processes across the group. Develop and implement finance processes and controls where required. Work closely with operations, procurement, inventory, and management teams to improve financial visibility and cost control. Monitor manufacturing costs, inventory movements, margins, and overall financial performance. Provide commercially relevant financial analysis and recommendations to the shareholders. Ensure the integrity, accuracy, and confidentiality of financial information. Job Location: Zambia Requirements ZICA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent professional accounting qualification. Minimum 7 years of relevant finance and accounting experience, including experience in a Financial Controller, Finance Manager, or similar senior finance role. Strong experience in manufacturing or FMCG is highly preferred. Experience managing accounting and finance functions within a lean or growing organisation. Strong knowledge of financial controls, internal audit, compliance, budgeting, cash flow, and financial reporting. Experience with ERP/accounting systems and implementing or improving finance processes. Experience establishing financial controls and processes from the ground up is highly advantageous. Experience in internal audit, forensic accounting, fraud prevention, or financial investigations would be an advantage. Strong understanding of inventory management, procurement controls, product costing, and manufacturing finance. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. High level of integrity, discretion, and professional independence. Comfortable challenging irregularities, questioning transactions, and raising sensitive financial concerns with shareholders. Hands-on, proactive, and willing to work closely with the wider business rather than operating solely at a strategic level. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills. To know other vacancies we have, please feel free to visit our website - www.blackpearlconsult.com and follow us on our social media accounts - LinkedIn / Instagram Follow the Black Pearl channel on WhatsApp. Disclaimer: Black Pearl will never ask for money or any form of charge our candidates just to process or consider their application for any of our available vacancies. If you happen to receive such a request from any members of our staff or other individuals claiming to be part of Black Pearl, please do call our office at +9712 622 55 03 or drop us a message on our website - www.blackpearlconsult.com.