Chief Financial Officer

Job Description : CFO EAST AFRICA ( AGRI EXP MANDATORY) pcoming vertically integrated, low-emission cashew farmland project in East Africa. The project encompasses 20,000 hectares of farmland and the construction of a state-of-the-art processing plant capable of handling 45,000 MT of raw cashew nuts annually, delivering premium-grade commodities such as cashew kernels, cashew nut shell liquid, and carbon credits in a joint venture with a reputable family office in the country. Financial Planning and Strategy: Oversee the development and execution of robust financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting processes, ensuring strict alignment with overall business objectives and growth plans. Develop and continuously monitor the execution of comprehensive financial plans, including yield enhancement and certification efforts at the farm level, to maximise profitability and sustainability. Provide expert strategic advice to the board and executive team on critical financial matters, including capital structure optimisation, dividend policy, and long-term financial planning, to drive informed decision-making and support sustainable growth. Manage capital allocation and investment decisions using rigorous financial analysis and modelling to optimise returns, mitigate risks, and ensure the efficient deployment of resources. Ensure strict compliance with financial regulations, tax laws, and accounting standards to maintain the highest level of financial integrity and minimise potential legal and reputational risks. Oversee the development and implementation of effective trade finance solutions to support the company's international trade activities, including managing letters of credit, guarantees, and other trade finance instruments to secure transactions and ensure timely payments. This is mainly relevant for our supplementary agri commodities (not part of our offtake agreements). Cash and Fund Management: Develop and implement sophisticated cash management strategies, including working capital optimisation and robust cash flow forecasting, to ensure optimal liquidity and support operational efficiency. Establish and maintain strong relationships with fund administrators, payroll management firms, and other key financial stakeholders to ensure seamless financial operations and effective collaboration. Secure the most favourable financing terms and ensure adequate liquidity through strategic relationships with local and international banks, development finance institutions, and other potential sources of financing, leveraging strong negotiation skills and financial acumen. Risk Management: Oversee the development and implementation of comprehensive risk management initiatives, including advanced strategies to mitigate trading, FX, and commodity price risks, to protect the company's financial stability and long-term viability. Implement robust insurance programs to mitigate risks associated with agricultural operations, including crop yield and price insurance, performance bonds, natural disaster insurance, carbon credit delivery insurance, and employee and contractor liability coverage, ensuring adequate protection against potential financial losses. Operational Financial Management: Oversee the implementation and management of state-of-the-art financial systems, including ERP and accounting software, to ensure accurate, timely, and transparent financial reporting, enabling data-driven decision-making. Maintain a robust internal control framework to safeguard company assets and prevent fraud or financial mismanagement, collaborating closely with internal auditors, external auditors, and fund administrators to ensure the highest standards of financial governance and accountability. Collaboration and Value Creation: Collaborate with the executive and operating team to ensure financial plans and budgets are aligned with the company's value creation strategy of transforming degraded farmland into highly productive and certified agricultural land, providing financial insights and analysis to support informed decision-making and resource allocation. Work closely with the sustainability team to develop financially sound strategies for monetising carbon credits and other environmental assets generated by the project, ensuring the successful integration of financial and sustainability objectives to support long-term value creation for stakeholders. Minimum of 15 years of progressive financial leadership experience, with at least 5 years in a CFO or similar role within the agriculture and preferably agri-processing industry CFA, ACA or equivalent certification Deep understanding of financial management, investment analysis, and risk management principles, particularly in the context of agricultural operations Proven track record of success in cash management, fund administration, and risk management within the agriculture sector Exceptional strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and credibility with diverse stakeholders Proficiency in financial modelling, data analysis, and reporting tools

---

Back