Job Description

Background of the Company

Lindt & Sprungli (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd (Lindt SA) started operations in May 2011 and forms part of the Lindt & Sprungli group of companies. With more than 150 employees, Lindt SA is based in Cape Town with strong regional presence in Johannesburg, Durban and Port Elizabeth and a network of 17 Lindt retail stores.



As global leader in the premium chocolate sector, Lindt & Sprungli looks back on a long-standing tradition of almost 175 years which takes its origins in Zurich, Switzerland. Today, quality chocolate products by Lindt & Sprungli are made at 12 owned production sites in Europe and the USA. The products are distributed by 28 subsidiary companies and branch offices, in around 500 Lindt shops and cafes, and also via a comprehensive network of more than 100 independent distributors around the globe. With 14,600 employees, the Lindt & Sprungli Group reported sales worth CHF 5.47 billion in 2024.

Position Purpose

To be the Finance Business Partner to the supply chain team. To provide financial insights on supply chain activities and support decision making within the area. Conduct on-going performance analysis; provide recommendations and guidance for profitable growth. To lead the implementation of the non-financial reporting efforts at Lindt South Africa.


To maintain product costs and controlling related master data within SAP. To prepare operations related reports and analysis including cost of goods calculation, inventory and distribution accounting for both Retail and Wholesale. To coordinate, implement and lead Non-Financial Reporting within Lindt South Africa. Implement updated regulatory and reporting requirements partnering with the Group NFR Champion / NFR Controller.

Key Responsibilities:

Supply Chain (50%)

COGS


Maintain integrity of standard costs in the ERP system, including annual review of all standard costs. Maintain integrity of controlling related master data in the ERP. Assist with the set-up of new items in the ERP and the NPD (New Product Development) Process. Support the Head of Commercial Finance for the annual strategic plan, budget process, and April and August revisions to financial estimates for COGS. Support the Head of Commercial Finance for Monthly Review of COGS variance (PPV, efficiency and over or under absorption).

Supply Chain


Provide support and analyze operating expenses of the Supply Chain function. Assist the budget process from preparation to implementation for the Supply Chain function, including Distribution, Operating Expense, 3rd party purchases and subcontracting (co-packing).

Internal Reporting


Ad-hoc support and assistance to finance / controlling team. Back-up support for TAGETIK reporting and month-end closing procedures. Prepare monthly COGS variance analysis and other Supply Chain related reports

Commercial Support


Coordinate with Marketing and Operations costing simulations as part of the NPD (New Product Development) Process. Support business case presentation for Supply Chain projects. Assist with ad-hoc Business Analysis and Commercial Support as and when needed.

Non-Financial Reporting (50%)

Strong involvement and local lead of Non-Financial Reporting


Define and implement the non-financial reporting process at Lindt South Africa in close collaboration with Group NFR Champion / NFR Controller. Responsible to inform about / forward group information to the adequate group of stakeholders. Act as first point of contact for Non-Financial Reporting for Group NFR Champion / NFR Controller and within the local organization.

Coordinate local data collection / internal non-financial reporting


Coordinate the internal non-financial reporting closings for Budget & Latest Estimates. Support Data Collector and Data Validator in the collection & review of relevant data and take over the coordination of local data collection process. Support the CFO in plausibility check of data. Act as a Data Validator for KPIs appointed by the CFO. Safeguard data submission deadlines for local Subsidiary defined by Group Controlling (defined in Non-Financial Reporting instructions) and adhere to principles set out in the non-financial reporting manual. Participate in group audit process if required. In case local audit processes are foreseen, act as first point of contact. Follow up on recommendations brought up by the Group / local auditor. Participate in non-financial budget and YE-review meetings.

Non-Financial Reporting Regulations


Keep track of latest developments in Reporting standards and local (country) legislations and assess impact on reporting. Attend NFR trainings and train the local organization on the training content ("train the trainer"). If necessary, inform the Group NFR Champion / NFR Controller about potential group-wide impact.

Non-Financial Reporting Manual


Participate in review rounds of the Non-Financial Reporting Manual and give feedback to the group. Participate in yearly update call of changes in the Manual coordinated by the group. Train local data collectors & validators as per Group requirements.

Lindt internal Control System (LICS) for Non-Financial Reporting


In cooperation with the dedicated LICS champion, define local application of group-defined standard controls. Perform defined LICS controls in line with description stored in BWise and adhere to principles set out in the non-financial reporting manual or coordinate the LICS control performance and testing together with the local LICS champion.

Personal Characteristics:

Needs to have excellent attention to detail; A high level of interpersonal skills and ability to engage, communicate and influence internal and external stakeholders at all operational levels; Methodical and structured approach to tasks; Able to set priorities and clear targets; High flexibility; and Able to grow with the level of responsibilities and with the size and structure of the business

Skills and Competencies required:

University degree and ideally studying towards the CIMA degree; A minimum of 2 years experience in a finance analytical role; Highly numerate with excellent analytical skills and attention to detail; Experience in the area of Accounting/Controlling or internal / external audit with strong sustainability interest or sustainability (controlling and reporting) knowledge with strong affinity for data collection / numbers. * Strong Excel skills, SAP experience considered to be an advantage