Finance and Insurance Department Manager

SUMMARY:
Our client in the Automotive Manufacturing industry is urgently seeking an experienced Finance and Insurance Department Manager to join their team based in the East Rand, Gauteng. 

POSITION INFO:
Requirements: 

• Matric Certificate.
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, or Business Administration or equivalent qualification.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in similar role.
• Experience managing cross-border finance and compliance frameworks.
• Code 8 license. 

• Manage daily operations of the department, ensuring efficient workflows and adherence to company policies.
• Manage departmental risk, including arrears, defaults, recoveries, and compliance. 
• Provide continuous training and support to new staff.
• Oversee internally and externally funded, manage books, monitoring exposure, pending approvals, and limit availability for both South African and cross-border clients.
• Develop, implement, and enforce departmental policies, procedures, and guidelines to optimise processes and ensure compliance.

• Execute senior credit analyst functions including credit risk assessment, financial analysis, bank statement analysis, credit scoring, client risk grading, and risk mitigation.
• Manage credit limits, approvals, portfolio reviews, and monitor performance trends.
• Implement a flexible credit assessment process tailored to individual needs, which may occasionally require translating documentation and performing currency conversions.
• Submit the initial term sheet on a new deal with supporting documentation to secure formal approval and conditions of grant.
• Prepare and issue approval letters to clients.
• Compile, analyse, and present comprehensive performance reports to the executive committee, providing clear visibility into departmental achievements, operational challenges, and areas for strategic improvement.
• Collaborate with the sales team by participating in weekly sales meetings to review new opportunities, monitor the progress of pending deals, and provide guidance on optimal deal structuring.
• Support sales teams during strategic client visits by providing expert credit guidance.

• Oversee debtor management, collections, and allocations to ensure timely payments and minimize bad debts.
• Manage interim financial assistance activities, including debit order loading, account reconciliations, submission of monthly client statements and preparation of weekly and monthly reports.
• Facilitate structured collection processes and payment arrangements through regular meetings.
• Monitor arrears trends, implement proactive recovery strategies, and provide executive reporting on debtor book performance.
• Drive process improvements and advocate for resources to strengthen collections efficiency and oversight.

• Supervise legal processes such as client communications, repossession procedures, and attorney correspondence.
• Ensure compliance with contractual documentation and security registrations.
• Manage validations and fulfilment, ensuring all contractual and supporting documents meet compliance standards and monthly covenants are fulfilled.
• Maintain audit readiness by managing registers, files, and documentation for compliance reviews.

• Oversee vehicle and asset management, including registrations, tracking services, and security.
• Conduct audits on financed assets on a need's basis.
• Manage the release process for Natis documents and maintain related records.

• Procurement Oversight: Manage procurement requests (PRs) and purchase orders (POs), ensuring compliance with company approval processes.
• Payment Submission: Oversee submission of PRs and POs for timely vendor payments, liaising with finance and procurement teams.
• Vendor Engagement: Collaborate with suppliers to resolve queries, ensure contract compliance, and maintain strong vendor relationships.

• Provide leadership and mentorship to the team, including development planning and fair redistribution of responsibilities following staff changes.
• Design and implement incentive frameworks that promote fairness, transparency, and alignment with company goals.
• Develop succession planning and neutralization strategies to ensure operational continuity during staffing transitions.

• Conduct industry research to stay informed on trends, regulatory changes, and market conditions.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across sales, marketing, and other departments to align company strategies.
• Establish partnerships with external financial institutions where applicable.
• Liaise with customers and dealers to resolve queries and address concerns.
• Drive departmental revenue growth through new business opportunities, pricing optimization, and cost-saving initiatives.

• Maintain constructive support for management and foster positive internal department relationships.
• Manage workload efficiently and maintain high standards of accuracy and work ethic.
• Build and sustain effective communication channels internally and externally.
• Actively participate in relevant training programs.
• Enhance knowledge and skills within the team.
• Ensure compliance with all Health and Safety regulations.
• Adhere strictly to company policies, procedures, and asset management protocols.
• Maintain organized housekeeping and filing systems. 
• Demonstrate effective time management skills.