Finance Generalist Manager South Africa

Led by Rodolphe Saadé, the CMA CGM Group, a global leader in shipping and logistics, serves more than 420 ports around the world on five continents. With its subsidiary CEVA Logistics, a world leader in logistics, and its air freight division CMA CGM AIR CARGO, the CMA CGM Group is continually innovating to offer its customers a complete and increasingly efficient range of new shipping, land, air and logistics solutions.

Committed to the energy transition in shipping, and a pioneer in the use of alternative fuels, the CMA CGM Group has set a target to become Net Zero Carbon by 2050.
Through the CMA CGM Foundation, the Group acts in humanitarian crises that require an emergency response by mobilizing the Group’s shipping and logistics expertise to bring humanitarian supplies around the world.

Present in 160 countries through its network of more than 400 offices and 750 warehouses, the Group employs more than 155,000 people worldwide, including 4,000 in Marseilles where its head office is located.

Role

The main purpose of this role is to Manage and monitor the financial and fiscal activities of the Cluster and supervise the Internal Control (Finance Manager is on the authority of a CFO).

Core Responsibilities:

• Oversee daily accounting operations, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely reporting
• Ensure compliance with IFRS, company policies, and all regulatory requirements
• Lead preparation and review of financial statements, balance sheet reconciliations, and supporting analyses
• Manage internal controls, including monitoring, testing, and reporting to Head Office
• Coordinate and manage internal and external audits, ensuring timely resolution of findings
• Oversee all tax and statutory compliance, including VAT, income tax, deferred tax, and engagement with tax authorities
• Manage cash flow and treasury activities, including liquidity planning and payment authorisation in line with delegation of authority
• Monitor and manage customer ageing, driving collections performance and ensuring alignment with group KPIs
• Lead resolution of escalated customer disputes and support key account engagements
• Support and oversee the annual credit review process
• Review financial performance, including P&L analysis, and provide insights to business stakeholders
• Drive process improvements, systems enhancements, and automation across finance operations
• Partner with business stakeholders to support budgeting, forecasting, and value creation initiatives
• Oversee payroll reconciliations and related accounting entries
• Perform and validate complex accounting treatments, including IFRS 9, IFRS 15, and IFRS 16
• Lead, coach, and support the finance team, resolving escalations and ensuring high performance
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key customers and internal stakeholders
• Coordinate and monitor Shared Services (GBS) performance and ensure alignment with finance processes
• Liaise with GBS and FICOM teams to ensure effective service delivery and issue resolution

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field
• Professional qualification (CA(SA)) would be advantageous
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a finance management role, with at least 1–2 years in a leadership or supervisory capacity
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting standards, and best practices
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and strong overall computer literacy

Personal Attributes

• Strong accounting knowledge
• Good understanding of IFRS
• Knowledge of tax and regulatory requirements
• Understanding of financial and operational risks
• Ability to identify and prevent financial risks
• Strong financial and data analysis skills
• Good understanding of audit and internal controls
• Able to review and interpret financial information
• Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking
• Good reporting and financial control skills
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to lead and manage a team
• Strong coaching and team development skills
• Good communication skills with both finance and non-finance teams
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders
• Works well with others and across different teams
• Proactive and takes ownership
• Well organised and able to manage multiple priorities

Come along on CMA CGM’s adventure !