Finance Manager - Commercial at MSI Reproductive Choices

The Scope

• The Commercial Finance Manager will oversee the financial operations of MSI Nigeria Reproductive Choices centres and social marketing channels, ensuring compliance with applicable financial policies and extant regulations.
• This role involves managing the commercial team, developing financial strategies and analysis on marketing operations, debt management for centres and social marketing, and supporting the commercial director with financial insights and recommendations.

Key Responsibilities
Financial Management:

• Oversee the preparation of accurate and timely financial statements and reports.
• Production of high-quality financial analysis of our Centre and social marketing operations and a daily analysis report of both primary and secondary sales.
• Prepare comprehensive monthly financial reports and management accounts, identifying variances and proposing corrective actions.
• Analyze financial data to identify trends, variances, and areas for improvement.
• Rigorous monitoring of expenditures against the planned budget and unfunded costs, which can be spent based on service income generated.
• Perform monthly bank reconciliation checks and approvals for commercial banks and ensure the accurate recording of cash balances for operational efficiency.
• Ensure monthly and bi-weekly balance reconciliations are correctly done and archived appropriately.
• Recognize and map sales receipts to the appropriate distributor to ensure proper debt aging for the SM Channel
• Timely Posting of SM Sales Receipts and Service Income on a monthly basis.
• Monitoring of debtors aging and flagging on a timely basis with the Regional Sales Managers and the SM

Budgeting and Forecasting:

• Work with the Grant Unit, Programme Department, and other stakeholders in the budgeting process, including developing annual budgets (Business Plan), rolling forecasts, and P4 or/P7 forecasts.
• Work with the Grant unit to provide financial forecasts and projections to support strategic planning.
• Support the channel leads in developing new business opportunities, whether through new channels, new geographies, or expansions of product and service offerings in existing channels.

Team Management:

• Manage and mentor the commercial team, including recruitment, training, and performance evaluation.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance team environment.
• Ensure continuous development and training of team members

Risk and Debt Management:

• Identify financial risks across social marketing, centres, and commercial channels, implementing mitigation strategies.
• Manage trade partner credit limits, ensuring regular reviews and reconciliations of debt balances.
• Oversee debt recovery efforts and compliance with credit terms.
• Conduct periodic reviews of contracts with trade partners and health insurance institutions, ensuring financial and legal compliance.
• Involves in reviewing the credit limit setting and rebate/discount structure.
• Conduct regular risk assessments, identifying potential risks in cash management, social marketing sales, centre income, and inventory processes, and implementing mitigation measures.
• Support MSI Nigeria's regular physical inventory counts of social marketing commodities across the country program

Financial Analysis and Strategy:

• Conduct financial analysis to support business decision-making.
• Supporting the SM (Pillar 3) and Pillar 2 Director in regular business reviews.
• Provide strategic recommendations to enhance financial performance and business growth.
• Support executive management with financial insights and strategic advice.
• Leading on cost reduction initiatives in the commercial channels.
• Advising on product pricing and price waterfall management, including financial management of promotional initiatives and marketing schemes.
• Perform a deep dive analysis on all marketing cost proposals to ensure there is an ROI on each marketing activity which needs to be evaluated after the activity.
• Responsible with the SMD/Centre CL to produce a high-quality business case to support new product launches and market opportunities
• Support the channel, leading in overseeing the operational performance of key business partners including distributors, suppliers, sales team, incentives etc

Stakeholder Engagement and Support Visits:

• Working with the MSIN finance director to develop and oversee operational and financial control procedures and AFB initiatives within the channel.
• Conduct support visits to regions with trade partners and centers to ensure adherence to established control measures for finance procedures and documentation.
• Perform spot checks at regional offices to monitor and assess inventory and store management procedures

Systems and Processes:

• Optimize financial systems to enhance reporting efficiency, data accuracy, and operational control.
• Lead finance-related projects and initiatives, including system implementations and upgrades

Key Experience / Qualifications / Skills

• University degree in Accounting, Economics, Finance, or Business Administration; Master’s degree is an added advantage.
• A member of any recognized professional body will be an added advantage. E.g., ACCA, ACA, CIA, etc.
• Minimum of sevenyears post qualification, and with relevant experience of management accounting/business partnering in a commercial entity, ideally in the FMCG or pharmaceutical distribution sectors.
• Fair knowledge of grants and project management.
• Hands-on experience with computerized Accounting Systems; Knowledge of Sun Systems is desirable
• Handling of highly confidential information.
• Significant experience in internal controls and compliance.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Knowledge of standard accounting software packages (QuickBooks, SUN Systems).
• Understanding of organizational dynamics and maintaining objectivity.
• Strong organizational and coordination skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain contacts with senior-level government and distributors.
• Experience of working with colleagues in geographically separate locations.
• Able to communicate effectively (both written and oral) at all levels.
• Cross-functional team player.