Latets Jobs at SAO Group

Role Summary

• The Finance Manager is responsible for overseeing the financial operations of the cocoa processing plant, ensuring accurate financial reporting, cost control, budgeting, compliance, and efficient financial management to support operational and strategic business objectives.
• The role provides financial oversight across cocoa procurement, production, inventory, exports, utilities, and plant operations while ensuring compliance with company policies and statutory regulations.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Reporting

• Manage daily financial operations including accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, and cash flow management.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, management accounts, and variance analysis.
• Ensure accuracy of financial records and compliance with accounting standards and company policies.

Cost Control & Production Finance

• Monitor and analyze production costs across cocoa processing operations including raw materials, utilities, labor, maintenance, packaging, and logistics.
• Track cost per ton of cocoa processed and support cost optimization initiatives.
• Conduct inventory valuation and monitor stock movement for cocoa beans, semi-finished products, and finished goods.
• Support operational teams with financial analysis and cost efficiency recommendations.

Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Coordinate annual budgeting and forecasting processes for the plant.
• Monitor budget utilization and provide financial performance analysis against approved budgets.
• Support strategic planning and investment decisions through financial modeling and analysis.

Treasury, Compliance & Audit Management

• Manage cash flow, banking relationships, and payment processes.
• Ensure compliance with tax regulations, statutory deductions, and financial reporting requirements.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and ensure timely resolution of audit findings.
• Maintain proper financial controls and risk management processes.
• Manage the payroll of all staff on the cocoa plant as well as financial statutory compliance such as tax, audits, pension and other required payments.

Procurement & Commercial Support

• Support procurement and supply chain teams with financial evaluation of suppliers, contracts, and operational expenditures.
• Monitor cocoa procurement costs, pricing trends, and payment schedules.
• Support export documentation, invoicing, and financial reconciliation for cocoa product shipments.

Team Leadership & Process Improvement

• Supervise finance team activities and ensure effective performance management.
• Strengthen internal controls, financial systems, and reporting processes.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within finance and administrative operations.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum of 7 years finance and accounting experience in manufacturing, FMCG, or agro-processing industry.
• Experience in cost accounting and plant finance management is highly preferred.
• Knowledge of inventory management and export finance operations is an advantage
• Professional certification in ICAN, ACCA, ACA or CFA

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Role Summary

• The Plant Manager is responsible for the overall management of the cocoa processing facility, ensuring efficient transformation of raw cocoa beans into semi-finished and finished products such as cocoa liquor, butter, cake, and powder, while maintaining global food safety and quality standards.

Key Responsibilities
Plant Operations & Production Oversight

• Oversee the full cocoa processing flow: Bean receiving & grading, Cleaning & destoning, Roasting, Cracking & winnowing, Grinding (cocoa liquor production), Pressing (cocoa butter & cake separation), Pulverizing (cocoa powder production)
• Ensure optimal plant throughput and minimal production downtime
• Approve daily/weekly production schedules aligned with demand forecasts

Production Efficiency & Yield Management

• Monitor cocoa yield loss at each processing stage
• Ensure optimal extraction rates of cocoa butter and liquor
• Implement continuous improvement strategies (lean manufacturing, Six Sigma principles)

Quality & Compliance Oversight

• Ensure compliance with: HACCP, ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000
• Food safety regulations (local & international export standards)
• Ensure traceability of cocoa beans from sourcing to finished goods
• Oversee quality parameters such as: Moisture content, Fat content, Bean defect levels, Roasting profiles

Leadership & Coordination

• Lead Production, QA/QC, Maintenance, and Warehouse teams
• Ensure cross-functional coordination between procurement and production
• Conduct performance reviews and workforce planning

Cost & Resource Management

• Control production cost per ton of cocoa processed
• Optimize energy usage (roasters, grinders, presses)
• Reduce waste and improve recovery rates

Required Qualifications & Experience

• B.Sc in Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, or Industrial Engineering
• 12 years plus in cocoa/food processing or FMCG manufacturing
• Strong understanding of cocoa value chain processing equipment