Finance Operations Lead

How to Apply: Interested and qualified? Go to PIPOSOFT on www.linkedin.com to apply.

Show You Can Own the Close and the Team

This role is about control, accuracy, and leadership in a manufacturing finance environment. Hiring managers will probe how you've run month-end close, managed statutory filings, and developed a team under pressure.

1. Lead with your close metrics: On your CV, put your month-end close timeline and accuracy rate front and center. If you've closed in 3 days or less with high accuracy, say so. That's the first screen for this role.

2. Prove your IFRS and statutory fluency: Be ready to walk through a recent tax audit or compliance filing you managed. Mention specific taxes like PAYE, VAT, WHT, and WVAT. Show you know the penalties for late filings and how you avoided them.

3. Show your ERP depth: This role wants ERP proficiency. Name the systems you've used (SAP, Oracle, etc.) and give an example of how you improved ERP utilization or standardized a process. If you've implemented a module, highlight that.

4. Demonstrate people leadership: You'll lead a team of five. Prepare a story about developing a direct report or turning around a weak performer. Show you can build a high-performance culture, not just manage tasks.

5. Quantify your working capital wins: Debtor collections and supplier settlements matter. Have numbers ready: e.g., reduced DSO from 45 to 30 days, or improved on-time payments to 98%. That's the kind of evidence that stands out.

6. Prepare for cost and EBITDA questions: Manufacturing finance is cost-heavy. Expect questions on cost allocation, inventory valuation, and how you've driven EBITDA improvement. Have a specific example of a cost-saving initiative you led.

7. Know the multi-entity angle: This role covers a group with multiple entities. Be ready to discuss how you've handled intercompany reconciliations, consolidation, or shared services. If you've done that, say so.

8. Ask sharp questions: When you get to ask questions, focus on the team's current challenges, ERP system in use, and how success is measured beyond the listed KPIs. That shows you're already thinking like the Finance Operations Lead.