Group CFO Transportation

Job Description:

Job Description – Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Transportation & Logistics Group – West Africa

Position Overview

A leading transportation and logistics group operating across West Africa is seeking an experienced and commercially driven Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead the finance function across multiple operating entities.

The role will provide strategic financial leadership to the group while partnering closely with the Group Managing Director and executive leadership team to drive operational efficiency, profitability, governance, and sustainable regional expansion.

The successful candidate will oversee consolidated financial management, treasury operations, reporting structures, ERP optimisation, compliance, and strategic financial planning across the region.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Provide overall financial leadership and direction for all group transportation entities on a consolidated basis
• Partner with executive leadership on business strategy, expansion plans, and operational performance improvement
• Support financing discussions, banking relationships, and investment initiatives across the region

Financial Reporting & Controls

• Lead group financial reporting, consolidation, and management reporting across multiple entities and jurisdictions
• Strengthen internal controls, governance frameworks, and reporting structures
• Ensure accurate and timely preparation of MIS, board reports, and financial analysis

Treasury & Working Capital Management

• Manage treasury operations including banking relationships, liquidity planning, foreign exchange exposure, and cash flow management
• Drive working capital optimisation and improve overall cash conversion cycles
• Oversee debtor management and enforce strong cash flow discipline across operations

Budgeting & Commercial Finance

• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes
• Partner with operational teams on pricing strategy, freight rates, margin improvement, and cost optimisation
• Monitor business profitability and operational KPIs across the group

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with statutory regulations, taxation, audits, and financial reporting requirements across multiple jurisdictions
• Coordinate with external auditors, regulatory authorities, and financial institutions
• Identify financial risks and implement mitigation strategies

ERP & Process Optimisation

• Oversee the continued rollout, enhancement, and optimisation of ERP systems across the group
• Drive automation, process efficiency, and data-driven decision-making across finance operations

Candidate Profile

Educational Qualification

• Qualified Chartered Accountant such as CA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent professional qualification

Experience

• 15+ years of progressive finance leadership experience, including senior-level group finance responsibilities
• Strong experience in transportation, logistics, freight forwarding, shipping, distribution, or related operational industries
• Proven exposure to multi-jurisdictional finance operations within West Africa or emerging markets
• Demonstrated experience managing group consolidations and multi-entity reporting environments

Technical & Functional Expertise

• Strong treasury management and foreign exchange handling experience, especially within restricted-currency or emerging-market environments
• Hands-on experience with ERP systems such as Acumatica, SAP Business One, Microsoft Dynamics, NetSuite, or similar platforms
• Strong understanding of governance, controls, taxation, audits, and financial compliance

Leadership Competencies

• Strong commercial acumen combined with operational discipline
• Executive presence with the ability to engage effectively with shareholders, banks, auditors, regulators, and senior leadership teams
• Hands-on, resilient, highly accountable, and capable of operating in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and stakeholder management skills

Location

West Africa (with regular travel across regional operating locations)

Reporting To

Group Managing Director / Shareholders

Industry Preference

Transportation | Logistics | Freight Forwarding | Shipping | Distribution | Supply Chain Operations