Phindile Ntombela

• Drive and provide end to end finance support to the Sales & Customer Account Directors for the delivery of key financial objectives to ensure Unilever Topline growth and Return On Investment for Trade Terms spend (i.e Strategic rebates & promotional discounts) within the Traditional Trade (Wholesalers) Channel
• Driving CD behavior change on effective planning, budgeting, forecasting, promotion evaluation, embedding a value/margin mindset. Support in negotiations of favourable trade terms with customers, resulting in significant Trade Term cost savings for the company.
• Provides extensive financial analysis and support to the Sales Accounts team as Business Partner and offer a high level of freedom to shape the strategy and implement it, within Customer Channel area of responsibility
• Reporting output on account performance to the CD and the Finance Exco.
• Responsible for specific projects related to CD Finance in terms of Customer Contracts review of Trade Term compliance and implementation of such terms in terms of P&L impact.
• Co-ordination ensuring a robust forecast process is executed with quality outputs from across the CD team.
• Monitor budget and topline trends, compiling reports for company leadership to inform decision-making.
• Manage & support credit management processes ensuring low Debtors Overdues, and VAR (Value at Risk)
• Leading and driving internal controls and governance within the CD Finance environment to enhance stewardship of Unilever Topline and cash. This achieved by leading Governance & Controls ensuring zero deficiencies in line with the Global Controls Framework and Audit outcomes.
• Manage and co-ordinate all corporate, external and internal audits.
• Lead and manage direct reports and of the broader CD Finance team and fully responsible for their appointment, development, coaching, training, work completion and performance management.

• To drive procurement cost performance management, procurement division financial business partnering services and oversee the finance responsibility for Third party (3P) manufacturers in South Africa, whilst managing reporting at an Africa cluster level.
• Ensuring Purchase Price Variance (PPV) early detection, compliance, control and reporting within raw & packaging materials (procurement) spend.
• Ensure Controls processes and governance within the Procurement Finance (Southern Africa cluster)
• Monthly and Quarterly forecasting and reporting of Procurement Costs, tracking and unpacking of main cost drivers that create net material cost market inflation including Forex modelling impact.
• Improved forecasting accuracy, allowing company to make proactive adjustments with strategic initiatives.
• Review and approve Savings Projects for Gross Margin improvement initiatives within Procurement of Materials.
• Oversee strategic responsibilities of Third-Party Finance (3P’s) – including inventory counts, financial controls, governance, developing SOPs, monitoring and reporting across all 3P manufacturing sites (eleven) in South Africa and consolidated financial reporting for 3P factories
• Co-ordinate and report actual and forecast Gross Margin Variance Analysis (GMVA) for Africa cluster to Unilever Global.
• Provide monthly and quarterly Procurement costs analysis, commentary and Business Partner for Africa to the Global SCF team, and present monthly results to Finance Exco and other operational forums
• Enhanced budget management by implementing Procurement tracking and cost reduction strategies.
• Lead and manage Supply Chain Accountants, 3P Accountant, and Finance intern(s). Mentored, trained and coached finance staff, fostering professional development and strong team dynamics.
• Established robust financial controls and policies, significantly reducing risk of fraud and ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
• Contributed as a member of the Diversity & inclusion in Advertising culture squad.

• Management: Ensured adequate resources and an effective organizational structure to ensure the administrative, accounting and Financial Systems functions are well motivated and equipped for current and future challenges.

Led, trained and coached a team of high performing finance professionals and influencing a positive engaged, professional and ethical working environment.

Oversaw finance team staffing by recruiting, interviewing and onboarding new personnel.

• Business Planning and control: Coordinate the annual financial budgeting and Quarterly Forecasting planning process with the Finance Director to ensure it is aligned to the requirements of the Bidvest Group.

• Project Control: Ensure proper Capex (avg value of R300M) project control for all projects within the organization and report thereon.

Carried out evaluation of potential projects and recommending on acceptance based on positive NPV favourable IRR, and other Finance decision matrixes for firm Business case appraisal.

Supported Plant & Engineering Manager with financial inputs and reporting on projects, overheads and maintenance spends. Responsible for project administration on large capital projects to ensure success, across two plants – Maydon Wharf and Island View sites.

Led Fixed Asset Management and reporting, including managing Fixed Asset verifications and inventory counts. Maintained up to date Fixed Asset Register.

• Finance Control Policies: Contribute to the development of Finance policies and SOP’s to ensure implementation in line with local and head office requirements and best industry practice and relevant legislation.

Managed and implemented effective control environment incorporating general controls, considering business risks and opportunities.

Managed high volumes of financial activity in fast-paced, risk-based corporate environment.

• Finance Control Plan & Budget: supported developing, improve and realize the financial budget and forecasting.

Co-ordinated budget and forecasts inputs reporting tools (Hyperion) and report on spending against approved budget spend to Exco and Group.

• Financial Management & Reporting: Oversee management of the operations of the financial administration, to provide a timely, accurate, complete monthly, quarterly & annual reporting, including Monthly Management Accounts & Annual Financial Statements in terms of IFRS.

Prepared comprehensive financial statements for executive review, aiding in effective decision-making processes regarding growth opportunities and resource allocation.

Reviewed and prepared Balance Sheet GL reconciliations and journals for review, including HR and Payroll reconciliations and file for bank release.

Led the implemented effective accounting systems (SAGE E300 ERP upgrade), best practices, and policies. Drove process improvements and transformations to organization by leading DBIT (Fixed Assets system) implementation, streamlining of fixed assets management and reporting.

Managed the balance sheet and cash flows locally in cooperation with Group, and resource allocation accordingly. Approved relevant Accounts payable reconciliations and payments. Liaising with company’s bankers.

Prepared and presented periodic reports (financial/non-financial e.g. Management Accounts, Quarterly Board reports, BBBEE and Sustainability reporting to Group), perform business analysis and prepare advice for management planning and control.

• Compliance & Regulatory: Contribute to the implementation and monitoring of Group, divisional, and local governance requirements.

Planned and led external and internal audits for annual and scheduled reviews.

Liaising with SARS and Statistics South Africa reporting and co-ordinated Group’s Annual Insurance and Workmen’s compensation Declarations.

Managed the submission of VAT, and Income Tax Returns. Complied with all relevant regulations by maintaining detailed records of financial transactions, minimizing the risk of penalties or fines from regulatory authorities.

Strategy: Contributed to the organisational strategy as a member of the Senior Management team and communicate with various management levels to ensure clarity and acceptance, all in relation to the assigned departments and maximizing shareholder value.

Led as the Finance custodian of BBBEE adherence, plant inventory, Capex. Involved in development and implementation of BEE strategies, e.g. Preferential Procurement, Supplier & Enterprise development initiatives, CSI community projects.

Reviewed Creditors applications including BBBEE Status verification.

• Initiated and implemented various internal control mechanisms to ensure that the Project and Cost control division’s adhered to processes and procedures, in promoting good business ethics and SAPREF’s standards and that projects costs are reported accurately, complete and on time.

• Performed accounting functions in delivery of monthly and annual Financial Statements in adherence to GAAP and Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
• Assisted with various compliance and statutory reporting to external parties such as Statistics South Africa, the National Treasury and South African Reserve Bank.

• SAICA Training Contract.

• Bookkeeping to trial balance and financial accounting functions (Pastel) and drafting annual financial statements, reconciliation of creditors, debtors, bank accounts, monthly and bi-monthly preparation and submission of statutory returns (PAYE and VAT, and Workmen’s Compensation).
• Monthly Payroll entries and payslips
• In-house auditing and preparation of audit files