Finance Manager

A leading timber wholesaler and retailer based in Nairobi is seeking an experienced and commercially astute Finance Manager to take ownership of its financial operations across manufacturing, supply chain, and retail functions. This is a senior leadership role that sits at the intersection of strategic finance and day-to-day operational execution, requiring a professional who can translate numbers into business decisions.

You will oversee all financial planning, tax compliance, working capital management, and reporting cycles while leading a cross-functional finance team. The ideal candidate brings deep familiarity with Kenya's regulatory environment — including KRA compliance, import/export taxation, and manufacturing cost structures — and has a proven track record of driving profitability in industrial or trade-oriented businesses.

• Prepare and maintain rolling cashflow forecasts; advise on liquidity planning, capital allocation, and long-term financial strategy to support business growth.
• Lead budgeting and forecasting cycles in close collaboration with department heads and senior management.
• Provide strategic tax guidance across manufacturing, timber processing, imports/exports, and contracting; ensure full compliance with KRA regulations including VAT, PAYE, corporate tax, customs duty, and eTIMS.
• Coordinate external audits and statutory filings, acting as the primary liaison with auditors and tax authorities.
• Oversee accounts receivable and collections to maintain healthy debtor days; manage supplier payments and supervise the AR/AP teams.
• Ensure accuracy of invoicing, reconciliations, and supporting documentation across all transactional finance functions.
• Provide financial and commercial input on projects, procurement decisions, and business expansion initiatives.
• Develop and monitor KPIs across collections, inventory turnover, manufacturing efficiency, and procurement performance.
• Support optimisation and adoption of ERP, accounting, and inventory management systems.
• Drive financial strategies that improve profitability and operational efficiency across the business.
• Oversee month-end and year-end close processes, preparation of management accounts, and production of accurate financial statements in line with applicable reporting standards.

• Must be able to lead the full financial planning cycle — from budgeting to variance analysis — independently and with minimal supervision.
• Must demonstrate hands-on experience managing KRA compliance obligations including VAT, PAYE, corporate tax, customs, and eTIMS in a manufacturing or trading environment.
• Must be able to prepare, interpret, and act on rolling cashflow forecasts and working capital reports.
• Must have supervised and developed AR/AP teams, setting performance standards and resolving escalations.
• Must be able to analyse inventory and supply chain costs, identify inefficiencies, and recommend corrective actions.
• Must be proficient in at least one ERP or integrated accounting system (e.g. Sage, SAP, QuickBooks Enterprise, or similar) with advanced Excel capabilities.
• Must hold a Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Commerce, or a related field, plus CPA(K), ACCA, or equivalent professional qualification.
• Must have a minimum of 5 years' progressive experience in finance and operations management within manufacturing, construction, timber, or industrial sectors.
• Must demonstrate strong commercial awareness, high integrity, and the ability to communicate financial insights clearly to non-finance stakeholders.

The gross monthly salary for this role is KES 90,000 as indicated in the job listing. This is a full-time, on-site position based in Nairobi. While specific benefits have not been detailed, roles of this nature in Kenya's manufacturing and trade sector typically include performance-based incentives and opportunities for professional growth within an expanding business.

Ideal candidate: A CPA(K) or ACCA-qualified finance professional with 5+ years of hands-on experience in a manufacturing, timber, construction, or industrial trading business. You are comfortable owning the entire finance function, managing a team, and engaging directly with KRA, auditors, and senior leadership. You understand Kenyan tax law in depth and have navigated import/export compliance before.

Who should NOT apply: Candidates without professional accounting qualifications (CPA or ACCA), those with experience limited to service industries or pure financial services, candidates who have not managed a team, or applicants who have never dealt with manufacturing cost accounting or KRA compliance in a hands-on capacity.

• Prepare an updated CV highlighting your experience in manufacturing or industrial finance, KRA compliance, and team leadership.
• Include a brief cover letter or profile summary indicating your suitability for a timber/manufacturing business context.
• Submit your application through the Huresco job listing or the platform where this vacancy was posted.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear back within two weeks of applying, consider your application unsuccessful for this cycle.