SG&A Analyst at Lafarge Cement

Reporting to the Procurement Controller, the SG&A Analyst supports the Procurement Controller in all business planning activities related to Procurement and functions under the Selling, General & Administrative (SG&A) umbrella. The Analyst, under the direction of the Controller, will be responsible for forecasting, budgeting, financial modeling, controlling, assessing the effectiveness of current spending practices, identify trends, and uncovering opportunities for cost savings across various departments. Working with the Controller in overseeing all finance, accounting and reporting activities including preparing presentations. The individual will be expected to be an active financial business partner for their business areas.

What you'll be doing

Expense Analysis and Cost Control

• Conduct comprehensive monthly and quarterly SG&A expense reviews, analyzing key drivers and variances against budget and prior years.
• Prepare detailed variance analysis, highlighting any deviations from planned spending, and proactively recommend corrective actions.
• Track SG&A spending against cost control KPIs set by the Procurement Controller, ensuring alignment with broader cost-saving objectives.
• Identify and document cost-saving opportunities across SG&A categories, presenting actionable insights to the Procurement Controller and department heads.
• Perform scenario analysis on SG&A costs based on changing business conditions to support informed decision-making.
• Ensure timely and accurate allocation of SG&A expenses to appropriate departments or functions for improved budget accuracy.
• Track procurement spend analysis and reconcile group data vs local data, with detailed explanation on changes
• Prepare month on month procurement performance spend and initiatives analysis
• Drive compliance to contract policies within the procurement unit

Budgeting, Forecasting, And Strategic Planning

• Assist in the annual SG&A budgeting process by collaborating with department heads and providing relevant financial insights.
• Develop and maintain forecasting models to project future SG&A costs, supporting the Procurement Controller’s long-term planning initiatives.
• Contribute to setting SG&A cost reduction targets, tracking progress against these goals, and providing updates on any challenges or successes.
• Support scenario planning by modelling the financial impacts of various strategic initiatives on SG&A, aligning with the goals of Lafarge Africa Plc.
• Regularly update SG&A forecasts to reflect current performance and evolving business needs, identifying risks and opportunities.
• Supply critical SG&A cost data during strategic planning cycles (e.g., MTP, Budget, Forecast), aligning projections with sourcing cost assumptions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate closely with Finance, Procurement, and other functions/ teams to gather and verify data for accurate SG&A reporting.
• Establish open communication channels with department heads to understand their cost structures and identify optimization opportunities.
• Partner with the Procurement Controller to streamline SG&A expense approval workflows, aligning with the Company’s Delegation of Authority (DOA).
• Provide training and guidance to department heads on best practices for SG&A budgeting, spending, and tracking.
• Act as a liaison between departments and the Procurement Controller, relaying cost insights and recommendations to enhance operational efficiency.
• Participate in cross-departmental projects that impact SG&A, offering analysis and support to manage associated costs effectively.

Reporting and Presentation

• Prepare comprehensive monthly and quarterly SG&A performance reports for management, summarizing findings, variances, and actionable recommendations.
• Develop visually clear and concise presentations that provide insights into SG&A trends and cost-saving opportunities for executive review.
• Regularly update dashboards that track SG&A spending, key performance indicators, and cost allocation, making adjustments based on stakeholder feedback.
• Ensure that all reports comply with internal financial reporting standards and that data is presented in formats compatible with corporate reporting tools.
• Create ad hoc reports to support management requests, including in-depth analysis for special initiatives or one-time projects.
• Present findings to various stakeholders, translating complex financial data into clear, actionable information for decision-makers.

Risk Management and Compliance

• Work with the Procurement Controller to ensure all SG&A expenses comply with internal policies, financial controls, and regulatory standards.
• Conduct periodic audits on SG&A transactions to ensure accurate expense allocation, identifying any inconsistencies for immediate correction.
• Assist in risk assessments related to SG&A spending, recommending preventive actions for potential cost overruns or misallocations.
• Implement and uphold financial controls to maintain integrity in SG&A reporting and minimize the risk of errors or fraud.
• Support internal and external audits by providing accurate documentation and explanations for SG&A expenditures.
• Stay informed on industry regulations and corporate policies to ensure SG&A management practices remain compliant and effective.

Data Management and Process Improvement

• Develop, maintain, and interpret key weekly, monthly, and quarterly SG&A dashboards, ensuring data is accurate and actionable.
• Identify and recommend process improvements within SG&A tracking, aiming to streamline workflows and reduce time spent on repetitive tasks.
• Collaborate with the Procurement Controller to refine data collection practices for SG&A reporting, ensuring timely and efficient information gathering.
• Support efforts to enhance data accuracy by implementing data validation steps and periodic quality checks on SG&A reports.
• Encourage continuous improvement by staying updated on best practices in SG&A cost management, benchmarking against industry standards.
• Foster innovation by proposing new tools or methodologies for SG&A analysis, enhancing reporting quality and speed.

Who you'll be working with 

Key interfaces, stakeholders and relationships:

• The incumbent interacts regularly with all cadres of staff.
• He/she also interacts regularly with the external public including suppliers and other external stakeholders

What we are looking for

• 3-4 years post NYSC working experience with minimum of 2 years on similar role
• Proven experience as an analyst, preferably in finance or accounting roles.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data.
• Proficiency in financial modeling and analysis tools, including Excel and financial reporting software.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to present findings to stakeholders at all levels.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Knowledge of SG&A expense categories and principles of cost accounting is a plus
• Understanding and correct application of VAT regulations with FIRS
• Understanding and correct application of WHT regulations with FIRS
• Experience with ERP systems and data visualization tools.