Finance Business Partner

Job Purpose The Finance Business Partner (FBP) serves as a trusted advisor to designated business units, providing commercial insight, financial analysis, and strategic support to drive performance, profitability, and operational excellence. The role is responsible for translating financial information into actionable business intelligence and ensuring leaders make data‑driven, financially sound decisions. Purpose of the Role Delivering high‑quality financial insights, forecasting, and business performance analysis. Challenging and supporting operational and commercial decisions to optimise cost, margin, and revenue outcomes. Strengthening financial controls, governance, and compliance at a business-unit level. Partnering with business leaders to co-develop budgets, strategic plans, and improvement initiatives. Key Responsibilities Strategic Business Partnering Act as primary finance partner to operations and functional leadership for the assigned portfolio. Translate business unit strategies into financial implications, KPIs, and improvement plans. Support profitability enhancement through pricing insight, cost optimisation, and margin analysis. Participate in strategic planning discussions and provide financial challenge and guidance. Identify commercial risks and opportunities to support proactive decision-making. Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Planning Lead the budgeting and forecasting processes for the designated business area. Review and challenge business submissions for accuracy, reasonableness, and alignment to strategy. Develop forward‑looking financial models to aid decision-making. Support capex and investment decision evaluations (ROI, payback, sensitivity analysis). Performance Reporting & Insight Support compliance with IFRS, tax guidelines, internal policies, and procurement frameworks. Strengthen financial controls within business operations. Support and engage with internal and external audit requirements. Identify and escalate financial risks and ensure mitigation plans are in place. Stakeholder & Relationship Management Build strong relationships with business leaders, operational heads, commercial teams, and shared services. Provide clear, concise communication of financial matters to non‑financial stakeholders. Partner with cross-functional teams to support strategic and operational initiatives. Continuous Improvement & Digital Enablement Promote best practice in analytics, modelling, and financial reporting. Leverage digital tools (BI, dashboards, automation) to improve efficiency and insight quality. Share knowledge and contribute to capability building within the FBP team. Ensure compliance with stock count procedures. Key Relationships Internal Operations managers Financial managers Commercial and Supply Chain teams Extended management teams Head of FBPs and central Finance functions External Legal representatives Auditors Qualifications, Skills and Experience Required for the Job Qualifications and Experience BCom (Finance / Accounting) or equivalent Professional certification advantageous (CIMA, CA(SA) - optional based on level) Minimum 5+ years financial and analytical experience, preferably in a commercial or operational finance role Experience in business partnering highly advantageous SAP or similar ERP experience beneficial Exposure to budgeting, forecasting, and performance management processes Skills and Competencies Advanced Excel and financial modelling Analytical and numerical proficiency Report writing and presentation Business case development and feasibility assessment Communication and stakeholder engagement Logical problem solving and decision-making Ability to interpret complex financial information Ability to leverage technology and BI tools Financial accounting principles and practices Tax, VAT, legislation (working knowledge) Budgeting, forecasting and financial planning Business operations, commercial processes, and systems KPIs, cost drivers, and business levers Detail-oriented yet strategic thinker Resilient and able to work under pressure Proactive, curious, and solution-driven Able to influence at all levels Strong planning and prioritisation skills High level of integrity, diplomacy, and professionalism