Group Finance Manager / Financial Controller - Zambia

About the role

Black Pearl Consult is hiring an experienced Group Finance Manager / Financial Controller to oversee financial management, reporting and controls across three privately owned businesses, including a growing FMCG manufacturing operation. The role is based mainly within the manufacturing business, reporting directly to the owners/shareholders, and provides group-level oversight of the other family-owned businesses. It is a hands-on, commercially focused finance leadership role.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day finance and accounting of the manufacturing business, including month-end closing, management accounts, reconciliations and product costing.
• Prepare accurate, timely financial reports for the owners/shareholders.
• Provide group-level financial oversight and strengthen financial controls, including payment approval limits, segregation of duties, bank reconciliations, procurement controls, inventory verification and expense controls.
• Review transactions, escalate significant concerns to shareholders, and coordinate external audits.
• Manage cash flow forecasting, budgeting, working capital, foreign exchange and import payments.
• Ensure compliance with ZRA, NAPSA and NHIMA, standardise accounting procedures and reporting, and work with operations, procurement, inventory and management teams to improve cost control.

Required profile

• ZICA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent professional accounting qualification.
• Minimum 7 years of finance and accounting experience, including a senior finance role; strong manufacturing or FMCG experience preferred.
• Experience managing accounting and finance in a lean or growing organisation.
• Highly trusted, independent-minded, with strong integrity, discretion and professional independence.

Required skills

• Financial controls, internal audit, compliance, budgeting, cash flow and financial reporting.
• ERP/accounting systems and implementing finance processes.
• Inventory management, procurement controls, product costing and manufacturing finance.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.