AP & Transactional Treasury Manager at Lafarge Cement

SUMMARY

Fully responsible for, and overseeing the payable and transactional treasury functions across Lafarge Africa – Nigerian Operations covering Lafarge Africa HQ, Wapco operations, Ashaka, Ready Mix, Atlas & UniCem (Cement, A&C and HO). Ensure that payments are optimized with internal and external customer satisfaction, while seeking ways to optimize the process and working capital.

MAIN ACTIVITIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Accounts Payable

• Ensure smooth account closing and pre-closing process of the accounts payable module.
• Ensure periodic reconciliation of key suppliers account, and independently liaise with all external suppliers and ensure that issues are resolved.
• Effectively manage allocated funds for settlement of suppliers’ invoices.
• Ensure payments are made in line with the payment terms agreed with suppliers, while optimizing net working capital.
• Generate payment reports and all such reports that provide transparency on settlement and status of invoices.
• Maintain satisfactory relationship with all the suppliers through the supplier care unit.
• Resolve all discrepancies with supplies.
• Manage all invoice processes, receiving every invoice from vendors, and matching these to the purchase order made.
• Ensure that all items received are properly invoiced.
• Manage the purchase ledger efficiently.
• Ensure timely payment of vendor invoices and expense vouchers.
• Maintain accurate records and control reports.
• Review applicable accounting reports and accounts payable register to ensure accuracy.
• Ensure account payable sub-ledgers reconcile to main ledger.
• Apply relevant statutory (WHT etc) deduction to payments.
• Advise on regulations regarding payments to suppliers / contractors.
• Maintain regular reconciliation with all suppliers and Inter-company accounts. Treasury Transactions
• Foreign Exchange management: Ensure proper management of daily FX operations across the business, and timely issuance of the needed reports.
• Import Letters of Credit: Manage the postings of all Letter of Credits (LC) for the suppliers, ensure that LC applications received are processed within approved SLA and in line with local and international standards. Matching of the LC with Vendors and inventories.
• External Audit and Documentation: Work closely with internal and external teams to perform process review / audit to ensure satisfactory audit by respective teams.
• Perform monthly review of treasury data to maintain clean and clear records reconciled with the company accounting books.
• Maintain high level of internal control and ensure timely clearance of any IC point.
• Provide professional guidance and technical expertise for the day to day operations of the unit.
• Ensure that Internal Control Standards are fully implemented and related procedures are effectively followed.
• Ensure the smooth operation of the Payable and transactional Treasury units with high customer service satisfaction.
• Lead projects towards continuous improvement of the payable and treasury processes.

JOB DIMENSIONS

List of Direct Reports:

• Accounts Payable Accountants
• Accounts Payable Admin Officers
• Treasury Operations Analyst
• Scanning and suppliers support unit

Key Interfaces, Stakeholders and Relationships:

• Head, Finance Shared Services
• All payment initiating units, i.e. basically the whole organization
• Plant Control section of finance
• Tax section of finance
• Treasury section of finance
• Internal Audit
• Suppliers
• Contractors

PROFILE REQUIRED

• B.sc / HND (Accounting/Social sciences)
• ACA /, ACCA
• 8-10 years post NYSC working experience with minimum of 4 years on similar role and in Managerial positions.

Technical / Functional Skills:

• Good knowledge of an ERP environment – ideally SAP
• Understanding and correct application of VAT regulations with FIRS
• Understanding and correct application of WHT regulations with FIRS
• Internal controls
• Advance MS-Excel Knowledge
• Good presentation skills for educating external clients on company policies and procedures
• Good experience on treasury transactions (FX payments, letters of credit, hedging accounting, cash position reports

Behavioral Competence:

• Effective communication skills with people at all levels of the business
• Decisive under pressure considering the criticality and urgency of decisions
• Good analytical skills to identify roots causes of issues
• Strong ability to relate with external stake-holders and create win/win solutions

Leadership and Managerial Abilities:

• Strong leadership skills, ability to federate the team
• Management oriented towards performance and results
• Coaching skills, high interest in helping and developing others
• Strong leadership potential
• Personal and intra-personal communication skills
• Good integrity and ethics; trustworthiness
• Ability to pay attention to details
• Good planning and organizational skills to balance and prioritize work 

Mobility Requirements 

• Moderately mobile