Finance Manager
Sayen Supermarket
Quick Take
Lead all financial operations, reporting, and compliance for a growing Nairobi supermarket chain while managing and mentoring a finance team.
CPAK certification (mandatory), 5+ years financial management experience with 2+ years in a supervisory role, and proven retail/FMCG sector expertise.
Competitive salary (KES 200–350K/mo), strategic influence over a dynamic retail business, and leadership opportunity in a fast-growing Kenyan supermarket chain.
Job Description
Sayen Supermarket is seeking a seasoned and results-driven Finance Manager to lead the financial operations of our growing retail business. This is a senior leadership role that sits at the heart of strategic decision-making, requiring a professional who can translate financial data into actionable business insights while ensuring robust controls and compliance across all financial functions.
The successful candidate will oversee budgeting, financial reporting, cash flow management, and team leadership within a fast-paced retail and FMCG environment. If you are a certified finance professional with a strong track record in the retail sector, this is an excellent opportunity to shape the financial direction of a dynamic Kenyan supermarket chain.
- Lead the preparation and presentation of accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and management reports.
- Develop and manage annual budgets, forecasts, and financial plans aligned with business objectives.
- Monitor cash flow, working capital, and liquidity positions to ensure operational continuity.
- Design and enforce internal financial controls, policies, and procedures to safeguard company assets.
- Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll processing, and tax compliance (VAT, PAYE, corporate tax).
- Conduct financial analysis to identify cost-saving opportunities and revenue growth levers across all departments.
- Liaise with external auditors, KRA, and regulatory bodies to ensure full statutory compliance.
- Supervise and mentor the finance team, setting performance targets and conducting regular appraisals.
- Provide financial insights and recommendations to senior management and the board to support strategic decisions.
- Oversee the implementation and optimization of financial management systems and ERP platforms.
- Coordinate stock valuation, shrinkage analysis, and cost-of-goods reporting specific to retail operations.
- Must hold a Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field from a recognized institution.
- Must be a fully certified member of CPA (K) — CPAK certification is mandatory and non-negotiable.
- Must demonstrate at least 5 years of progressive financial management experience, with a minimum of 2 years in a managerial or supervisory role.
- Must be able to prepare consolidated financial statements independently and present findings to non-finance stakeholders.
- Must demonstrate experience managing budgets, forecasts, and variance analysis in a high-volume environment.
- Must be proficient in financial management software (e.g., QuickBooks, Sage, SAP, or equivalent ERP systems) and advanced Microsoft Excel.
- Must demonstrate strong leadership ability — capable of managing, coaching, and developing a finance team.
- Must possess excellent communication skills — able to translate complex financial data into clear reports and presentations.
- Experience in retail, supermarkets, or FMCG environments is a significant added advantage.
- Must demonstrate strong understanding of Kenyan tax laws, statutory requirements, and KRA compliance obligations.
The estimated monthly salary for this role ranges between KES 200,000 – KES 350,000 depending on qualifications, depth of experience, and demonstrated competencies. Sayen Supermarket offers a competitive remuneration package commensurate with the retail sector. Specific benefits will be discussed during the interview and offer stage.
Ideal candidate: A CPAK-certified finance professional with 5+ years of experience, ideally within retail or FMCG, who is confident managing end-to-end financial operations, leading a team, and advising senior leadership. You are highly analytical, detail-oriented, and thrive in a fast-moving commercial environment.
Do NOT apply if: You do not hold a valid CPAK certification, have fewer than 5 years of relevant experience, lack hands-on experience managing financial teams, or are looking for a purely bookkeeping or accounts assistant role. This is a leadership position requiring strategic and operational finance expertise.
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their application as follows:
- Prepare an updated CV highlighting your finance management experience, CPAK certification status, and any retail or FMCG background.
- Write a brief cover letter (one page) explaining why you are the right fit for this role at Sayen Supermarket.
- Send your application to the recruitment contact provided by Sayen Supermarket via their official careers channel or job listing source.
- Ensure your application clearly indicates the position title Finance Manager in the subject line.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis — apply promptly.
Requirements Breakdown
Must Have
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration
- Full CPAK (CPA Kenya) certification — non-negotiable
- Minimum 5 years progressive financial management experience with 2+ years in managerial/supervisory role
- Proficiency in ERP/financial software (QuickBooks, Sage, SAP) and advanced Excel
- Ability to prepare consolidated financial statements and present to senior management
Nice to Have
- Proven experience in retail, supermarket, or FMCG sector
- Experience with KRA compliance and statutory reporting in Kenya
- Track record of implementing financial systems or ERP optimization
- Experience in stock valuation and shrinkage analysis
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Salary Context
Competitive mid-to-senior level salary for Finance Manager in Nairobi retail sector
The KES 200–350K range is appropriate for a certified finance manager with 5+ years experience in a leadership role at a growing retail business in Nairobi. Salary progression typically reflects CPAK status, sector experience, and team size managed. Retail margin pressures mean salaries may skew toward the lower end unless the candidate brings demonstrable cost-saving or revenue-growth track record.
About Sayen Supermarket
Sayen Supermarket is a growing retail and FMCG operator in Nairobi with ambitions to expand its footprint in the Kenyan market. The company is at a critical scaling phase where robust financial management and systems optimization are key to competitive advantage. Joining Sayen offers the chance to build financial infrastructure from a position of influence and shape the financial culture of a dynamic, locally-rooted supermarket chain.
Likely Interview Questions
- 1
Walk us through your experience managing financial operations in a retail or FMCG business. What were the key challenges and how did you overcome them?
- 2
Describe a time you identified significant cost-saving opportunities or revenue levers in a high-volume environment. What was the impact?
- 3
How have you approached the implementation or optimization of financial management systems (ERP, accounting software) in your previous role? What lessons did you learn?
- 4
Tell us about your experience managing and developing finance teams. How do you set performance expectations and drive accountability?
- 5
What is your approach to ensuring compliance with KRA regulations, VAT, PAYE, and statutory reporting in a fast-paced retail environment?
Application Tips
Prominently highlight your CPAK certification status and the date of award — this is a non-negotiable screening criterion, so make it immediately visible on your CV.
Quantify your achievements: include specific examples of budget management, cost reductions, cash flow improvements, or revenue growth you've driven (e.g., 'reduced operating costs by 8% through variance analysis and vendor negotiation').
Emphasize retail or FMCG sector experience explicitly — even if your background is diverse, call out any supermarket, retail, or fast-moving inventory roles prominently, as the job description stresses this is preferred.
Career Path
Roles that lead here
Where this leads
Skills & Keywords
Honest Assessment
Green Flags
- CPAK certification is explicitly required — this signals the employer values professional standards and credibility, reducing risk of unethical financial practices.
- Clear emphasis on compliance, internal controls, and regulatory liaison (KRA, auditors) indicates a mature, risk-aware organization.
- Role is positioned as strategic and board-facing — Finance Manager will influence senior decision-making, offering meaningful impact and visibility.
- Growing retail business in Kenya's dynamic market provides natural growth opportunities and the chance to build financial systems and processes from a position of influence.
Watch Out
- Job description is incomplete — the 'Experience in retail, supermarkets, or' requirement is cut off mid-sentence, suggesting the posting was not fully proofread before publication.
- No mention of benefits, leave policy, professional development support, or whether CPAK membership fees/renewal are subsidized by the employer — clarify these before interview.
- The salary range (KES 200–350K) is very wide; the actual offer may land at the lower end despite your experience, so clarify placement criteria early in negotiations.
A Day in the Life
Your week begins with a Monday morning review of cash flow positions and working capital across all supermarket operations, followed by a huddle with the accounts team to review weekend sales variance. Mid-week, you prepare monthly management accounts and flash reports for senior leadership, diving into shrinkage analysis and cost-of-goods trends for the retail division. You also conduct a one-on-one with a junior accountant to review their budget reconciliation work and provide coaching on KRA compliance procedures. By Friday, you're liaising with the external auditor on outstanding reconciliation items and drafting a financial insights memo to the board on cost-saving opportunities identified through departmental variance analysis. Throughout, you're optimizing workflows in the ERP system and ensuring all VAT and PAYE submissions meet statutory deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to be a Finance Manager at Sayen Supermarket?
You must hold a Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration and be a fully certified CPAK member — this is mandatory and non-negotiable. You also need at least 5 years of progressive financial management experience, with a minimum of 2 years in a supervisory or managerial role.
Is the Finance Manager role at Sayen Supermarket remote?
The posting does not specify remote or hybrid arrangements. Given the role's emphasis on team supervision, internal controls oversight, and cash flow monitoring in a retail environment, it is likely office-based in Nairobi. Clarify this directly with HR during application.
How much does a Finance Manager earn at Sayen Supermarket?
The posted salary range is KES 200,000–350,000 per month, which is competitive for a CPAK-qualified finance professional with 5+ years experience in a retail leadership role in Nairobi. The exact offer will depend on your experience level, sector background, and team size you'll manage.
What are the career growth opportunities in this role?
As Sayen Supermarket grows, a successful Finance Manager can progress to Finance Director or Group Finance Manager (if multi-branch expansion occurs), or transition into a CFO or broader operations leadership role. This role also builds strong credentials for senior finance positions in larger retail or FMCG organizations.
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