Lovemore Time
Finance Controller
Johannesburg,Gauteng
Summary
Results-driven Finance and Operations Leader managing multicultural teams. Enhanced profitability through optimised financial systems and internal controls. Developed and monitored KPIs, controlled budgets, and executed strategic business models. Multilingual communicator in English, Chichewa, and Shona, fostering cross-functional partnerships to drive performance improvements.
Overview
1
1
Certificate
21
21
years of professional experience
3
3
Languages
11
11
years of post-secondary education
Work History
RC PS Finance Controller
Bayer Crop Science
06.2023 - Current
- Managed site financial control across South Africa for foundation and commercial seed.
- Developed annual budget, analysing actual expenses against projections to ensure fiscal alignment.
- Strengthened budgeting outcomes for 2024, contributing to financial clarity during initial month in role.
- Optimised cost and profit-centre decisions for production quality control projects, enhancing financial accuracy.
- Reported operating income expenses against budgets and forecasted trends.
Analysed supplier performance to drive continual improvements and cost efficiencies. - Kept internal financial controls aligned with GAAP and IFRS standards.
Site Lead
Bayer Crop Science
11.2020 - 07.2023
- Head of product supply team encompassing field production, plant processing, quality, EHS and warehouse and distribution and execute the product supply strategy for Malawi. Demonstrated operational, financial and systems leadership for +150 team (incl. annualized seasonals).
- Achieved 120% volume growth over 2 years with less than 0.1% HSE recordables.
- Achieved a 20% yield improvement and 96% order fill rate to drive profitability.
- Increased production surface by 110% to streamline import supply lines, mitigate forex exposure and enhance cash flow stability.
- Established new business trade lanes for export into Tanzania and Mozambique, localising 80% of input supply to sustain profitability and reduce risk exposure.
- Coached production team in Malawi to improve operational effectiveness and achieve performance targets.
Plant Controller
Bayer Crop Science
10.2018 - 05.2021
- CoGM reduction by 34% in year one, through financial austerity to achieve profitability.
- Drove SAP transactional accuracy resulting in the least ECA for Africa region by CY20.
- Financial control for product supply, costing, CoGM & CoGS calculations, KPI monitoring, forecasting, LRP and budgets. Key in internal control improvements and communication of strategy.
- Streamlined accounting processes for grower inputs, improving operational efficiency.
- Cultivated savings culture in Malawi, achieving >15% savings against CY19 budget.
- Supported Zambia plant control with budgets, LRP, and KPI for 5 months, including training of new team members.
Agronomy Accountant
Limbe Leaf Tobacco Company Limited
04.2016 - 10.2018
- Oversaw loan portfolio and input stocks, managing loan recovery as bank liaison. Held responsibility for agronomy general ledger, ensuring transactional accuracy, reporting and analysis, and implementing internal control improvement initiatives.
- Facilitated 95% recovery rate for advances during two bank mergers.
- Implemented controls to minimise input loss by 90% in one year. by 90% in one year (CY17) through effective controls.
- Developed effective controls for third party advances, transitioning to a digital issuing process.
Operations Monitor
Limbe Leaf Tobacco Company Limited
11.2013 - 03.2016
- Reduced carton loss by 70% through process control initiatives and supply reviews.
- Evaluated supply chain efficiency and ensured compliance with policies, procedures, laws, and regulations while conducting special system interface investigations for Finance Director.
- Conducted governance reviews of leaf purchases to ensure compliance with financial policies, recovering 12% of stock value from duplicate payments.
Internal Auditor
Dairibord Malawi
01.2012 - 12.2013
Audit Senior
KPMG Malawi
01.2010 - 12.2012
Chief Accountant
Makandi Tea and Coffee Estates
01.2009 - 12.2010
Trainee Transaction Advisor
EY Zimbabwe
01.2006 - 12.2007
Education
Master of Business Administration - Pending
Abertay University
Dundee, Scotland 08.2024 - Current
Bachelor of Commerce Honors Degree - Accounting
Midlands State University
Gweru, Zimbabwe 08.2004 - 01.2009
Certified Practicing Accountant - Member
CPA Australia
Self Certification 01.2026 - 01.2026
Chartered Accountant - Fellow
Association of Certified Chartered Accountants
Lilongwe Malawi 09.2012 - 07.2017
Skills
- Financial analysis
- Cost management
- Management reporting
- Internal controls
- Risk management
- Operational efficiency
- Process improvement
- Performance enhancement
- Finance leadership
- Strategic planning
- Effective communication
- Multicultural team leadership
Certification
- CA(M)
- HAcc
- Fraud Prevention and Detection, TEVETA, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Procurement & Supply Chain Management, TEVETA, Lilongwe, Malawi
- EAudIT Training, KPMG In-house, Lilongwe, Malawi
Language and Technology Skills
English
Master or proficient
C2
Chichewa
Advanced
C1
Shona
Advanced
C1
Timeline
Certified Practicing Accountant - Member
CPA Australia
01.2026 - 01.2026
Master of Business Administration - Pending
Abertay University
08.2024 - Current
RC PS Finance Controller
Bayer Crop Science
06.2023 - Current
Site Lead
Bayer Crop Science
11.2020 - 07.2023
Plant Controller
Bayer Crop Science
10.2018 - 05.2021
Agronomy Accountant
Limbe Leaf Tobacco Company Limited
04.2016 - 10.2018
Operations Monitor
Limbe Leaf Tobacco Company Limited
11.2013 - 03.2016
Chartered Accountant - Fellow
Association of Certified Chartered Accountants
09.2012 - 07.2017
Internal Auditor
Dairibord Malawi
01.2012 - 12.2013
Audit Senior
KPMG Malawi
01.2010 - 12.2012
Chief Accountant
Makandi Tea and Coffee Estates
01.2009 - 12.2010
Trainee Transaction Advisor
EY Zimbabwe
01.2006 - 12.2007
Bachelor of Commerce Honors Degree - Accounting
Midlands State University
08.2004 - 01.2009
Custom
- Mr. Alfred Mtetemera, CFO, Ekhaya Group of Companies, Malawi
- Mr. Joel Mwenelupembe, Partner, Grant Thornton Malawi (formerly KPMG Malawi)