Financial Controller

West Kenya Sugar Company Ltd is a leading sugar manufacturer in East Africa, recognized for advanced manufacturing technology, high production capacity, and community development.

This senior leadership role partners closely with operational teams to improve financial performance, strengthen governance, and support sustainable business growth across manufacturing operations. The successful candidate will lead finance transformation initiatives while managing budgeting, reporting, costing, treasury, compliance, and team development.

1. Provide strategic financial leadership to the assigned business unit.
2. Lead budgeting, forecasting and long-term financial planning processes.
3. Ensure timely, accurate and insightful monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting.
4. Drive manufacturing cost optimisation, profitability improvement and operational efficiency initiatives.
5. Oversee product costing, inventory valuation and working capital management.
6. Manage treasury operations, cash flow forecasting and liquidity.
7. Strengthen financial governance, internal controls and enterprise risk management.
8. Ensure compliance with IFRS, tax legislation, statutory requirements and all applicable regulatory obligations, including excise and other industry-specific requirements where applicable.
9. Support commercial decision-making through profitability analysis, pricing reviews and investment appraisals.
10. Lead finance digital transformation initiatives through SAP S/4HANA, Power BI and reporting automation.
11. Build, coach and develop a high-performing finance team while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

1. Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Commerce, Economics or a related field.
2. CPA(K), ACCA or an equivalent internationally recognised professional accounting qualification.
3. Membership in a recognised professional accounting body.
4. An MBA or Master's degree will be an added advantage.
5. Strong strategic and commercial thinking.
6. Excellent financial and business analytical skills.
7. Proven leadership and people management capability.
8. Strong decision-making and problem-solving ability.
9. High integrity, professionalism and ethical standards.
10. Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills.
11. Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive change.
12. Strong planning, organisational and project management skills.
13. Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.
14. Minimum of 10 years' progressive finance experience, with at least 5 years in a senior finance leadership role within a manufacturing environment.
15. Experience in sugar manufacturing, distillery operations, FMCG or other continuous-process manufacturing industries will be a distinct advantage.
16. Strong knowledge of IFRS, financial reporting, manufacturing finance, taxation, budgeting, treasury, internal controls and corporate governance.
17. Hands-on experience using SAP ECC6 or SAP S/4HANA ERP systems.
18. Advanced Microsoft Excel, Power BI and financial modelling skills.