Supply Chain Business Controller at Kenya Wine Agencies Limited (KWAL)

This position is responsible for providing strategic financial and logistical insights and support to the Director, Supply Chain  in driving the implementation of key strategic initiatives, offering impactful advice, and ensuring the successful execution of the Supply Chain’s initiatives in alignment with the business goals. The role aims to enhance shareholder value by setting and supporting the achievement of challenging financial and non-financial targets within a robust financial control environment.

Main Responsibilities

Financial Planning

• Collaborate with the Director, Supply Chain to prepare the 3 year financial plan and annual budgets
• Optimise financial performance by executing Profit and Value Added (P&VA) allocations
• Collaborate with supply chain and commercial teams to execute commercial strategies and meet business goals
• Provide strategic insights and recommendations to optimise financial performance and support the Company’s long-term goals
• Assist in the preparation of annual budgets and periodic forecasts to guide business planning.

Cost Control and Management

• Collaborate with Director,  Supply Chain to develop, monitor, and control all Supply Chain budgets, providing detailed variance analysis and recommending short- and long-term remedial interventions
• Champion the cost management strategy within the Supply Chain Function by diligently monitoring activity rates, overheads, and material consumption, and recommending strategic interventions
• Contribute to budgeting and forecasting processes by challenging cost and revenue drivers and offering suggestions to enhance business performance
• Foster financial awareness and drive a cost-conscious culture within the Supply Chain team
• Work closely with the Director, Supply Chain to ensure delivery of expenses against set target for all Supply Chain cost lines such as warehousing, order management, inventory carrying costs and procurement costs monthly
• Review and approve business cases presented by the Supply Chain Teams on a monthly or quarterly basis
• Review and approve staff expense claims
• Prepare, review and approve supplier and freight claims
• Approve Cash Advances (Imprest) and Travel Clearance for the Supply Chain Team
• Lead in product cost and inventory analysis, deviations root cause analysis, standard cost and product cost efficiency insights to the supply function.
• Monitor quantity and price variances of materials viz-a-viz the consumption regularly to safeguard the middle line therefore driving the bottom line.
• Carry out the cost accounting for all raw materials and all engineering procurements to ensure adherence to CAPEX budgets.

Continuous process improvement mindset

• Adopt and drive a Continuous Improvement culture and identify possibilities for further improvements on key performance indicators.
• Facilitate innovation and continuous improvement in supply chain

Financial  analysis and reporting

• Accurately perform value stream costing measures to produce reports that enhance forecasting and support value stream improvements
• Collaborate with production planning staff to supply necessary financial information related to production and other Supply Chain departments
• Generate and provide Monthly Operational Expense Reports and Production Usage Variances Reports
• Provide financial analysis support on CAPEX projects
• Identify financial risks and develop strategies to mitigate them, ensuring financial stability
• Ensure adherence to Internal Control Measures, ISO requirements, and Operations Excellence standards

Stakeholder management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, ensuring timely delivery of materials and resolving any issues that arise
• Collaborate with supply chain, procurement, and logistics teams to support strategic initiatives and operational improvements with an aim to develop a cost-conscious culture
• Work closely with procurement, production, and other supply chain teams to align supply chain activities with Company strategic initiatives.

Minimum Required Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

Academic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field 
• Master’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or related field is an added advantage 

Professional Qualifications

• Professional qualification in Finance or Accounting such as Certified Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Public Accountant of Kenya (CPA-K) or equivalent 
• Professional membership with a professional body such Institute of Certified Public Accountant (ICPAK), Association of Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) or equivalent

Experience 

• At least 6 years, 2 years’ experience in management role in a similar role or busy function
• Experience in senior financial planning  role function in FMCG industry or manufacturing is an added advantage
• Practical experience in the use of MS packages and ERP systems
• A good grasp in investment and portfolio management