About Sher Ethiopia PLC

Working at Sher means working for the largest rose-grower in the world and a front runner in the horticultural industry. We have a long history and extensive rose-growing experience in Ethiopia. Approximately 12,500 employees grow, harvest, grade, pack and export roses at three farms in Ethiopia. Between 2.5 and 4 million roses are processed and transported to the airport in Addis Ababa every day, from where they are flown to Europe for further distribution. This makes us the largest rose grower in the world and the biggest supplier of roses in Europe.

Working for Sher also means being part of our team of professional colleagues, where you are given plenty of opportunities for personal growth and development. Our core values and beliefs are passionate people, respected partners, diverse teams and sustainable strategies.

ABOUT the role

The Business Controller works closely with the Finance Director and Financial Controller in Addis Abeba, provides leadership to the finance department in Ziway, and plays a pivotal role in translating and implementing directives from the leadership team in the Netherlands within Ethiopia. The role offers an excellent opportunity to further professionalize and manage the company’s financial department and operations. Responsibilities include overseeing financial management and controls, analyzing (big) data, monthly closing, the annual audit, and reporting to all stakeholders.

This role offers an opportunity to make a difference in shaping and transforming the finance team by implementing new ways of working and implementing new tools to give better insight in the financial performance of the company. The role will be a mix of hands-on work and providing strategic input and ideas to support the development of the finance function and team.

About you

As a Business Controller, you will use your analytical skills and knowledge in financial analysis and reporting, internal control frameworks, and communication skills with different stakeholders to support our strategic goals and objectives. Our ideal candidate would:

• Be driven to further develop and strengthen Sher Ethiopia PLC’s financial reporting structure and analysis of the performance of the operations.
• Has strong analytical skills in Excel to analyse large sets of data.
• Has minimum three years of experience with a (financial) ERP system.
• Be driven to take the lead in new projects to automate processes and implement new ways of working to bring the finance department to a higher standard.
• Interpret and apply the financial requirements communicated by the leadership team in The Netherlands (e.g. standard reporting packs) for implementation in Ethiopia.
• Demonstrate proactive problem-solving, organizational skills, prioritization, and reliability.
• Build strong internal and external relationships with various stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities 

Financial performance and management information – support the Financial Director in Ethiopia to challenge and advise the business to drive financial performance:

• Support with processes for financial forecasting, budgets and cash flow, including performance trend reporting tailored to needs of budget holders.
• Develop budgets that meet the requirements of the business strategy and monitor departmental performance vs budget.
• Preparation of the monthly and quarterly management report and analysis of trends.
• Control – The Business Controller will oversee all aspects of the finance function ensuring that a robust control environment is maintained and documented:
• Ensure timely monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial reporting and audits, adhering to all relevant standards.
• Oversee financial operations and control across the business and implement operational best practice.
• Manage, develop, and continuously improve financial processes, policies, and best practices to enhance internal controls.
• The Business Controller in Ethiopia is responsible for reviewing, analysing, controlling and reporting financial-, tax-related data, in compliance with legislation and regulations and is providing the Finance Director and Financial Controller with relevant, accurate and timely insight into the financial performance and internal controls of the company (Sher Ethiopia PLC and Sher Ethiopia Hospital PLC).
• Strategy & Planning – support group finance team in The Netherlands and Finance Director in Ethiopia in development of short and long-term strategic financial objectives and oversee execution of those objectives:
• Monitoring financial targets across the business in line with the overall strategic plan.
• Support the annual budgeting and regular financial forecasting with the leadership team and maintain overall financial management of the business.
• Cultivating a continuous improvement mindset within their team.
• Directing teams to ensure the effective implementation of the Group’s finance strategy.

Contract type: Permanent

Reports to: Finance Director

About You

Education, knowledge and skills

• Advanced education in finance at (international) University level
• At least three years of experience in business and/or finance control roles in large (international) enterprises
• Specialized knowledge of accounting procedures, gained through formal training and extensive experience.
• Extensive experience with an accounting/ ERP system (e.g. Exact Globe) is required.
• Excellent skills in MS excel.
• Proficient in verbal and written English
• Strong understanding of the profit and loss account, balance sheet, cash flow management and financial disclosures.
• Experience of reviewing Financial Statements and managing audit timelines
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present and explain management information clearly to stakeholders.
• Excellent problem analysis & problem-solving skills.
• Strong analytical skills with high affinity with numbers
• Ability to work effectively with diverse people from various backgrounds and nationalities.