Operational Head of Finance (Executive) at Salix Recruitment, Midrand
Salix Recruitment · Midrand, Gauteng
Overview
Salix Recruitment is looking for a commercially driven Operational Head of Finance in Midrand. This is a senior leadership role for a CA(SA) or CIMA qualified finance professional with 10+ years experience. You will partner with EXCO and operational teams to influence profitability, pricing, cash flow and business strategy. If you enjoy working at the intersection of finance, operations and strategy, this opportunity is for you.
About the role
Our client is seeking an experienced and commercially driven Operational Head of Finance to provide strategic and operational financial leadership across a large and complex business portfolio. This senior leadership position is for a finance professional who can go beyond reporting and financial governance to actively influence business performance, operational efficiency, profitability and commercial decision-making.
You will act as a strategic business partner to EXCO, MANCO and senior operational leadership, providing financial insight and commercial challenge across P&L performance, pricing, contracts, working capital, cost optimisation and business improvement initiatives. The role suits a commercially astute finance leader who is comfortable working closely with operational teams, challenging business assumptions and translating financial data into practical actions that improve profitability, cash flow and operational performance.
Application Note: If you have not had any response in two weeks, please consider the vacancy application unsuccessful. Your profile will be kept on our database for any other suitable roles or positions.
Requirements
- Matric (Grade 12)
- BCom Accounting
- BCom Honours
- CA(SA) or completed CIMA qualification essential
- 10+ years senior financial management experience, including full cycle accounting
- Minimum 5 years experience in a senior leadership or executive finance role
- Proven experience partnering with Operations and senior business leadership
- Strong commercial finance experience, including pricing, tenders, contract profitability and margin management
- Demonstrated experience in P&L management, budgeting, forecasting and business performance
- Strong working capital, cash flow and liquidity management experience
- Proven experience in financial risk management, tax, IFRS and compliance
- Experience overseeing payroll, audits and statutory reporting
- Advanced MS Office and Excel skills, with strong ERP/system experience
- Experience leading cross functional teams and large scale improvement or transformation projects
- Project Management certification (PMI/PRINCE2) advantageous
- Lean Six Sigma or Business Optimisation experience advantageous
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to translate financial information into business decisions
- Excellent leadership, communication, analytical and problem solving skills
Responsibilities
- Lead the financial strategy and operational finance agenda, partnering with EXCO, MANCO and operational leadership to drive business performance
- Oversee budgets, forecasts, financial plans and performance targets, providing commercial insight and scenario analysis to support decision making
- Partner with Commercial and Operations on pricing, tenders, bids, contract negotiations and profitability, ensuring strong margins and commercial governance
- Own P&L performance, analysing revenue, EBITDA, costs and key business drivers, and driving corrective action where required
- Oversee financial reporting, management accounts, controls and compliance, ensuring accurate and timely financial information
- Take ownership of cash flow, working capital, liquidity, collections and debtor performance, driving improved cash conversion
- Identify and address financial leakage, cost drivers, waste and operational inefficiencies, driving cost optimisation and productivity
- Strengthen financial and operational controls, managing financial risk, tax, audit and statutory compliance
- Drive continuous improvement and business transformation initiatives across finance and operations
- Identify opportunities to automate and optimise financial processes, reporting and systems, including ERP and BI solutions
- Use data, analytics and business intelligence to identify trends, risks and opportunities and improve decision making
- Lead strategic projects, ensuring effective governance across scope, budgets, timelines, risks and benefits realisation
- Lead, coach and develop the finance team while building financial and commercial capability across the wider business
- Foster a culture of accountability, commercial thinking, collaboration, continuous improvement and high performance across Finance and Operations
Job details
- Organisation
- Salix Recruitment
- Location
- Midrand, Gauteng
- Job type
- Full time
- Experience level
- Executive (10+ years)
- Education
- Honours
- Category
- Accounting & Finance
- Application Method
- Apply online
Success Guide
This is a senior executive finance role, so your application needs to show more than technical accounting skills. Highlight examples where you influenced business decisions, improved profitability or led operational improvements. Quantify your achievements where possible, such as cost savings, margin improvements or cash flow gains.
In interviews, expect questions about how you partner with operations, challenge assumptions and translate financial data into action. Be ready to discuss your experience with P&L management, working capital and commercial negotiations. Make sure your CV clearly shows your CA(SA) or CIMA qualification and your 10+ years of relevant experience.
How we help you prepare
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