Group Financial Controller

Reference No. DB-004

Group Finance Controller

Reports to: Group CEO / Board

Location: Lagos, Nigeria

Function: Group Finance

Level: Senior Management / Executive Leadership

Our client is a Nigeria-based integrated agri-allied group with operations spanning the edible-oil and the agricultural value chain including raw-material sourcing, soybean processing, solvent extraction, edible-oil refining, bulk storage, value-added processing, distribution and commodity exports.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced, commercially focused Group Financial Controller to lead Group-wide financial control, reporting, treasury, cash-flow management, budgeting, forecasting, tax, audit and financial governance.

The successful candidate will be a strategic finance partner to the CEO and Board, providing insight and recommendations on business performance, liquidity, capital structure, investments, acquisitions and growth initiatives. The role will also lead and develop the Group’s Finance, Accounting, Audit, Tax and Import Finance teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Group financial strategy, annual budgets, rolling forecasts, long-term planning and financial modelling.
• Provide scenario analysis, business cases and actionable financial recommendations to the CEO and Board.
• Own Group liquidity, cash-flow forecasting and working-capital management.
• Optimise capital structure, financing mix and cost of capital across local/international debt, equity and other funding sources.
• Manage relationships with banks, lenders and financial institutions and lead financing negotiations.
• Evaluate financing options, capital projects, acquisitions and equity-raising opportunities.
• Manage FX, interest-rate and other treasury-related risks.
• Ensure accurate, timely monthly, quarterly and annual Group reporting, including P&L, balance sheet, cash flow and management accounts.
• Establish financial KPIs and strengthen financial controls, systems, processes and reporting disciplines.
• Ensure Nigerian tax, statutory and financial reporting compliance.
• Lead internal/external audits and closure of audit findings.
• Understand and manage the complexities of Mauritius-based corporate holding framework, Dubai-based family office/import-financing structures and related-party transactions.
• Identify and mitigate financial, credit, market, liquidity and operational risks.
• Build a high-performing, accountable Group finance organisation with clear KPIs and performance standards.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a senior finance professional with 18–20+ years of progressive experience, including substantial senior management responsibility as a Group Financial Controller, Finance Director, Financial Controller, CFO or equivalent.

Key requirements include:

• CA or equivalent professional qualification.
• Strong financial control, accounting and Group reporting expertise.
• Proven treasury, cash-flow, liquidity and working-capital management experience.
• Experience with local and/or international debt financing and capital raising.
• Strong corporate finance, financial modelling and investment-appraisal capabilities.
• Proven ability to advise CEOs, Boards and senior management.
• Experience leading sizeable, multi-functional and/or multi-company finance teams.
• Strong knowledge of Nigerian tax, statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Strong commercial judgement and ability to connect financial performance with business strategy.
• Experience in diversified, complex or multi-company environments.
• Experience in manufacturing, FMCG, commodities, agriculture, edible oils, trading, import/export or other asset-intensive businesses is highly advantageous.

Key Performance Measures

Success will be measured through:

• Improved cash-flow visibility, liquidity and working-capital efficiency.
• Accurate and timely Group financial reporting and forecasting.
• Stronger internal controls and fewer audit/control issues.
• Optimised financing structure and cost of capital.
• Effective negotiation and management of local/international funding facilities.
• Better identification and mitigation of financial and treasury risks.
• Improved visibility of margins, costs and investment returns.
• High-quality financial analysis and strategic support to the CEO and Board.
• Development of a high-performing Group finance function.

Compensation & Opportunity

The role offers a competitive executive-level package, including base salary, performance-based incentives linked to agreed KPIs and executive benefits.

This is a high-visibility leadership opportunity within a growing Nigerian business Group, offering direct CEO/Board exposure and significant influence over financial strategy, capital allocation, liquidity, financing and growth.