Role: Finance Manager
Reports to: Group Chief Financial Officer / Operations Director Uganda
Number of direct reports: 10 - 12
Location: Kampala, Uganda
About the Company
Uzima Chicken Uganda is a social enterprise focused on making smallholder farmers healthier and wealthier. Uzima Chicken distributes an improved breed chicken that is 4x more productive than local breeds in terms of egg and meat production, while requiring the same level of management and care as the local chicken. Rearing a flock of 10 improved breed chickens can generate a 270,000 UGX net profit uplift for a smallholder family. With Uzima’s bird, rural households in Uganda can build income resilience, confidently pay for their children’s school fees, and introduce larger volumes of animal protein into their daily diets.
Uzima Chicken seeks to reach every rural household by 2025 and aims to be the leading smallholder-focused poultry enterprise in East Africa. In the past 2 years of operations, Uzima Chicken has attracted investments from the AgDevCo and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Uzima Chicken Uganda prioritizes hiring and developing Ugandan talent and offers significant professional growth opportunities and leadership development. Further, Uzima is committed to female empowerment across the company and is proud that 40% of staff are women.
Summary of Position
The Finance Manager is a key thought partner to Management, providing essential insight into business operations, strategy, and performance. He/She is responsible for managing Uzima’s day-to-day financial and accounting operations, including recording, adjusting, reconciling, and reporting all financial information. The Finance Manager will oversee and manage every aspect of Uzima’s financial department, including Accounts Receivables, Accounts Payable, Treasury, Financial Controls, and Reporting. He/She will work closely with Finance Managers of other countries of operation to share best practices and promote cross-learning.
This position currently manages a team of 10-12 individuals with future hires expected as the company grows.
Responsibilities
A. Financial Management
Develop, implement and maintain accounting policy and processes (SOPs) in compliance with IFRS and local regulatory guidance
Develop and implement appropriate internal control systems and financial procedures (SOPs) and ensure adherence to any relevant Group policies
Offer regular review, refinement, and implementation of improvements to financial controls
Prepare Uzima Uganda financial reports based on regulatory and legal requirements
Maintain appropriate Company documentation and compliance with regulatory and tax-related requirements
Identify financial risks and take part in developing strategies to overcome these risks
Oversee the issuance of financial information to external stakeholders and investors
Maintain accounting software system (Xero, Dear, ApprovalMax, etc) and initiate periodic improvements
Oversee management of inventory and assets (e.g., hatchery, breeder farm, etc)
Coordinate with other departments on budgets and cost-control measures as needed
Execute and review payroll alongside Talent & Admin Lead to ensure accuracy and prepare necessary statutory requirements
B. Financial Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting
Work with the Operations Director and Managing Director to develop financial planning, budgeting, monitoring and forecasting for Uzima Uganda
Produce and review budget vs. actual reports for accuracy and provide commentary to management and user departments as issues arise
Manage Company cash allocation plan and cash flow forecasting; propose drawdowns from lines of credit as needed
Ensure accounts payable are paid in an accurate and timely manner
Ensure accounts receivable collected, in a timely manner
Oversee all ledger and bank account reconciliations
Manage credit extended by Uzima to clients (e.g., deposit agents, bicycle loans) and employees (e.g., phone loans, bike loan, car loans) within agreed-upon levels to mitigate financial risk; manage team to follow-up on ARs as needed to maximize timely repayment
Lead intercompany reconciliation process with Uzima Chicken Rwanda Finance team
C. Financial Reporting
Oversee production of financial statements (income statement, balance sheet, cashflow), budget vs. actual reporting, and other reports as required, providing commentary and ensuring accurate and timely presentation to management
Responsible for ensuring timely and accurate reports are provided to investors/funders as required
Maintain appropriate Company documentation and compliance with regulatory and tax-related requirements
Lead annual audit process, including coordinating the provision of information to external auditors for the annual Uganda audits, reviewing for accuracy, and
D. Stakeholders / Relationship Management
Develop and maintain relationships with key business partners (including banks, auditors, regulatory bodies, investors, tax authorities, suppliers, mobile money vendors)
E. Leadership, Coaching and Development
Manage the team’s performance by determining targets/KPIs, managing planned activities, and reviewing key performance areas and control of direct subordinates
Provide leadership, training, recruitment, selection and motivation for Finance team
Provide overall leadership for the day-to-day operations of the Finance Department
Assess skills of department members and develop a training plan to ensure they are continuing to become more effective
Provide feedback in a constructive way to peers, subordinates, MD and Operations Director
The right candidate will have:
Passion for the details: You like to get into the numbers and are excited to share your perspectives on financial performance and business strategy. You are a thought partner to Management and can explain the numbers you present with a sense of ownership. Colleagues would describe you as “meticulous” and “detail-driven”.
Enjoy coaching and team development: You know how to drive your team forward and coach them to success, including prioritizing tasks, growing scope, and ensuring your team hits their deadlines. You’re an independent worker who can translate ideas into reality with limited follow-up but look forward to the opportunity to guide and lead a team.
Quick and adaptive approach: As a fast-growing startup, priorities shift and the company is constantly re-evaluating our approach. You enjoy a flexible environment and leading your team to deliver work on a quick deadline.
Growth mindset: You are energized to learn and grow, proactively seeking feedback from managers or seeking out learning opportunities. Further, you are excited to coach and develop others on your team and recognize that success means building your team
Passionate about positively impacting smallholder farmers and customers in rural areas: You are excited by the possibility of directly impacting millions of Ugandans, helping them build sustainable livelihoods and improve nutritional outcomes.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in finance, accounting, economics, or Business Administration.
- 3 - 4 years of relevant experience in a similar role with a heavy bias towards manufacturing, agriculture and/or any related cost-accounting rich environments.
- Previous experience leading and managing teams
- Previous experience creating SOPs, reporting templates, inventory controls and other finance related processes.
- Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel
- Detail-oriented, highly organized and drive to succeed
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills