Finance Business Partner

OVERVIEW

Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc is the country’s leading producer of raw, refined and specialty sugars, employing more than 9,000 people. The company is part of Illovo Sugar Africa Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of Associated British Foods plc (ABF).

Under its Tiwale initiative, which promotes growing together and positively impacting people’s lives, Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced professionals for the position of Finance Business Partner, based at its Nchalo site.

The successful candidate will provide financial leadership and business partnering support to an assigned site department, ensuring effective product costing, budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis and performance management to drive profitability and sustainable business value.

JOB TYPE: Permanent

JOB GRADE: Middle Manager

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday, 30th November 2026

POSITION: FINANCE BUSINESS PARTNER

Job overview

The Finance Business Partner will lead financial planning, analysis and reporting for an assigned department. The role involves providing forward-looking financial insights, challenging operational assumptions, identifying cost-saving opportunities and supporting management in making informed commercial decisions.

The successful candidate will also oversee departmental budgets, forecasts, capital expenditure and financial performance while developing financial planning capabilities within the portfolio.

Qualifications and experience

Qualifications

Applicants must possess:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration or a related discipline.

Professional Qualifications

• A full professional qualification such as ACCA, CIMA, CA or an equivalent recognised accounting qualification.
• Membership in good standing with the relevant professional accounting body.

Experience

Applicants must demonstrate:

• A minimum of five (5) years’ progressive experience in management accounting, financial planning, business partnering, commercial finance or performance analysis.
• Strong commercial acumen and the ability to translate financial information into actionable business insights.
• Sound understanding of operational and financial drivers within a manufacturing, agricultural, FMCG or industrial environment.
• Advanced proficiency in SAP, Microsoft Excel and financial reporting systems.

DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Finance Business Partner will be responsible for:

1. Product Costing and Financial Analysis

• Lead the preparation, analysis and continuous improvement of product costing processes to ensure accurate product cost information.
• Support commercial decision-making by identifying cost-saving opportunities and driving profitability across the business.

2. Financial Business Partnering

• Provide forward-looking financial partnership, constructive challenge and decision support to an assigned site department.

3. Budgeting and Forecasting

• Lead and consolidate the department’s budget, forecasts and strategic financial plan.
• Ensure that financial plans are based on credible operational assumptions and aligned with the total site financial plan.

4. Financial and Operational Performance Analysis

• Interpret financial and operational performance to identify cost, volume, productivity, efficiency and timing factors affecting departmental results and future outlook.
• Advise departmental leadership on financial risks, opportunities, resource choices and corrective actions that improve performance and create sustainable business value.

5. Capital Expenditure Management

• Provide financial oversight of the department’s capital expenditure.
• Ensure proposed investments are supported by credible financial models and that approved expenditure and benefits are monitored.

6. Financial Planning Team Development

• Lead, coach and develop Financial Planner(s) within the portfolio.
• Ensure robust sectional planning, accurate cost analysis and timely, insightful reporting that supports effective operational and strategic decision-making.

7. Management Reporting and Consolidation

• Submit complete departmental budgets, forecasts, performance narratives, capital information and benefit reports to the Management Accountant and Capital Projects Associate for total site consolidation.

8. Compliance and Company Policies

• Promote and adhere to Illovo’s procedures, policies and guidelines, including those relating to:
• Safety, Health, Environment, Risk and Quality (SHERQ).
• Competition Law.
• Anti-Bribery and Corruption (ABC).

How to apply

Interested and suitably qualified candidates should submit the following documents:

• An application letter.
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Copies of relevant academic and professional certificates.
• Details of traceable referees.
• A copy of National ID.

Applications should be addressed to:

Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc

Private Bag 50

Blantyre, Malawi.

Email: [email protected]

Closing Date: Monday, 30th November 2026

Only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged.

Equal opportunities and safeguarding

Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc is an equal opportunity employer, and women are encouraged to apply.

“SUGAR IS OUR BUSINESS BUT PEOPLE ARE OUR SWEETEST ASSETS.”

TIWALE – Grow together and positively impact people’s lives.

Closing date: 29 November 2026