Chief Financial Officer

Our client – the Nigerian subsidiary of an international group operating in the agro-industry sector – is a company specialized in the local production of therapeutic nutritional foods aimed at combating malnutrition, particularly among children and vulnerable populations. Its products are supplied to public health programs, humanitarian aid initiatives, and nutritional support programs in hospitals and medical facilities. The Nigerian subsidiary is based in Kano (Northern Nigeria), where it operates an industrial facility validated by agencies such as UNICEF, WFP, and Médecins Sans Frontières to meet local and regional needs.
The company processes locally sourced raw materials into adapted nutritional products, while also supporting local farmers. The company – with 200 employees and USD 35 million in annual revenue – is experiencing a phase of hypergrowth, requiring the recruitment of seasoned professionals for several strategic positions. The objective is to effectively support the executive management in the company’s transformation.     Chief Executive Officer / Managing Director / Board of Directors
Direct reports (typical): Finance Manager/Controller, Accounting, Treasury, Tax, Internal Audit/Compliance, FP&A, Procurement Finance, Plant/Cost Accounting, IT/ERP Finance (as applicable)

📌 ### 📌 , Investors/Banks, External Auditors, Operations/Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Sales/Trade Marketing, HR, Legal Provide strategic and operational financial leadership to a processed agro-food business to ensure profitable growth, strong cash generation, funding and risk management, robust controls, and regulatory compliance. The CFO steers financial strategy, supports commercial and operational decision-making (pricing, trade spend, CAPEX, productivity), manages funding and risk (commodities, FX, credit), and ensures timely, reliable reporting to leadership and stakeholders. Define and execute the finance strategy aligned with corporate objectives (growth, margin, cash, investment). Serve as a key advisor to CEO/Board on performance, risks, and strategic options (M&A, expansion, divestment). Build and lead a high-performing finance organization (structure, capability, succession, culture of accountability). Establish strong governance and internal controls (segregation of duties, approval matrices, audit readiness). Lead annual strategic planning, budget, and rolling forecasts with clear assumptions (volume, price/mix, COGS, trade spend). Own performance reviews (monthly business reviews): variance analysis, corrective actions, and decision support. Develop profitability analytics by product/SKU, channel, customer, plant line, and route-to-market. Implement standard management reporting packs and dashboards for executive decision-making. Oversee plant finance: standard costing, variance analysis (yield, waste, labor, energy), and OEE-related cost impacts. Drive productivity programs with Operations: cost reduction, process optimization, SKU rationalization, make/buy analysis. Ensure robust inventory valuation and controls (raw materials, WIP, finished goods), including obsolescence provisions. Support capacity planning and cost-to-serve improvement (distribution, warehousing, order profiles). Partner with Commercial on net revenue management: pricing governance, discount discipline, rebate accrual accuracy. Set trade spend policies and controls (promo funding, listing fees, commercial contracts) and evaluate ROI. Validate business cases for product launches, pack changes, promotions, and customer tenders (including private label). Lead treasury: cash forecasting, liquidity planning, banking relationships, and financing strategy (debt facilities, leasing). Optimize working capital: receivables (credit policy), payables, inventory turns, and cash conversion cycle. Manage credit risk and collections governance, especially with modern trade and distributor networks.   Establish controls for cash-handling (if cash sales exist) and payment security. Ensure accurate, timely financial statements (monthly close, statutory accounts) under relevant standards (IFRS/local GAAP). Manage external audits, tax audits, and regulatory submissions; ensure clean audit opinions and issue remediation. Oversee reporting to Group Holding for consolidation purpose  Monitor and mitigate exposure to commodity volatility (ingredients, packaging), FX, interest rates, and supply disruptions. Implement hedging or contractual pass-through mechanisms where feasible; maintain scenario planning. Ensure compliance with tax, statutory reporting, and industry regulations impacting finance (traceability-related cost impacts, duties, import/export). Own financial aspects of business continuity plans (insurance, crisis protocols, recall cost preparedness). Build the CAPEX governance framework: prioritization, approval process, ROI tracking, post-implementation reviews. Finance strategic projects: new lines, cold chain expansion, automation, ERP upgrades, sustainability investments. Support due diligence for acquisitions/partnerships and integration planning. Sponsor finance digitization: ERP optimization, automated controls, e-invoicing, forecasting tools, BI dashboards. Strengthen data integrity (product costing, customer profitability, promo accruals) and master data governance. Define and monitor finance service levels (close cycle time, forecast accuracy, reporting turnaround). Degree in Finance/Accounting/Economics; professional certification strongly preferred (e.g., CPA/ACCA/CFA or local equivalent). Typically 15+ years finance experience with 7+ years in senior leadership (Finance Director/CFO/Regional CFO). Strong track record in processed agro-food / FMCG food manufacturing (multi-site or complex supply chain is a plus). Experience in working with multi-currencies and high inflation environment Experience in reporting to Holding level     Knowledge (what you must know) Financial strategy, corporate finance, capital structure, valuation, and investment appraisal. Cash and risk management Accounting Manufacturing/plant finance: standard costing, variance analysis, yield and waste management, inventory controls. Tax, statutory reporting, audit requirements, and financial compliance frameworks. Risk management for commodity/FX volatility and supply chain disruptions. Know-how (what you must be able to do) Build and run robust planning cycles (budget, forecasts, scenarios) and translate them into actions. Design internal control environments and enforce governance without slowing the business unnecessarily. Lead profitability improvement programs: cost reduction, pricing discipline, trade spend optimization, cost-to-serve. Manage treasury: liquidity planning, bank relationships, funding negotiations, and cash discipline. Communicate complex financial insights clearly to executives, boards, and non-finance leaders. Lead transformation projects (ERP/BI, process redesign, finance operating model changes). Interpersonal skills (how you work) Executive presence and strong influencing skills across commercial and operational teams. High integrity, confidentiality, and courage to challenge assumptions and stop non-compliant practices. Strategic mindset with hands-on pragmatism; strong prioritization under pressure. Collaborative leadership, talent development, and conflict resolution. Resilience and adaptability in volatile cost and supply environments.   Reliable financial governance: timely closes, accurate reporting, strong controls, clean audits. Improved profitability through cost discipline, productivity initiatives, and net revenue management. Strong cash generation and healthier working capital (better inventory turns, receivable days, cash conversion). Strong funding position and controlled financial risk exposure (commodities/FX/credit). CAPEX discipline with measurable ROI and on-time project delivery. Finance function maturity uplift: better systems, analytics, and decision support.   Fina