Job Vacancies in an International Group of Companies (Puratos)

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Puratos is an international group offering a full range of innovative products, raw materials and application expertise to the bakery, patisserie and chocolate sectors. Our headquarters are just outside Brussels (Belgium), where the company was founded in 1919. We are recruiting to fill the positions below:     Job Title: Manager of Finance, Admin & HR Location: Lagos Job Description

• Reporting directly to the General Manager, the successful candidate for this key function will be responsible to contribute actively as a member of the management team in order to achieve the company’s objectives and create value;
• Plan and organize the finance function of the company taking into account both Group and local requirements;
• Safeguard the company’s financial assets and ensure the effective and efficient use of the company’s resources; and identify and provide corrective actions to potentially adverse situations;
• Make recommendations and present information to allow accurate decision making.

Key Accountabilities Finance management:

• Organize and manage the accounting and data processing functions for reliable, timely administration and reporting in alignment with statutory, fiscal and  group operational requirements.
• Ensure the implementation and respect of internal procedures in order to guarantee the safeguarding and optimal use of the assets of the company. This includes strict debtor management, stock control, cash management, trade creditors, control of fixed assets, application of Group and local generally accepted accounting principles, analysis of investments in accordance with Group principles.
• Assist and advise the General Manager in various financial and business related matters and support the decision-making process with relevant data.
• Effectively communicate financial goals/targets and ensure accountability is assigned to the appropriate functional leader; work closely with management team in setting cost control and reduction strategies.
• Actively participate in the annual budgeting and monthly forecasting process, coordinate with various stakeholders, consolidate and analyze budgets, prepare management reports and presentations.
• Manage financing requirements and optimize cash management in coordination with the Group treasury function.
• Reinforce the effective use of MRP and ERP systems with internal business partners
• Actively influence the pricing strategies of the company.
• Work closely with other department managers to ensure financial strategies are aligned with the business objectives.
• Reduce FX exposure through hedge management (when applicable).

Capital assets management:

• In collaboration with Operations personnel, apply management principles to:
• Evaluate capex requirements to enhance production performance
• Review IRR for all major capital additions with documented business case scenario
• Minimize spending risk through effective supplier management strategies and competitive quotations.

Development and teamwork:

• Understand how to facilitate team processes and appreciate the big picture.
• Inspire and develop existing talent on the team, identify team strengths and opportunities, and help the team make the connection between their contributions and business success.
• Act as role model to encourage team and stakeholders to see things differently and embrace change.
• Cross-train staff in all vital functions in case of absence to ensure no disruption of daily activities.

Admin, HR, IT tasks:

• Develops and implements local policies and procedures with regard to general office management and administration, contractor and supplier management to meet day-to-day operational needs.
• Manages the expense submission; review and payment for approved employee business travel and related expenses;
• Manages external travel services provider.
• To assist the General Manager in ensuring that personnel policies and procedures maximize the company’s competitiveness and performance. This covers areas such as recruiting, training, performance management, remuneration system, personnel data management, disciplinary procedures, etc.
• Co-ordinate, supervise and manage the ICT hardware and software with the support of an external consultant.

Profile Education:

• Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field

Experience:

• Minimum of 5-7 years of relevant work experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience working with a multi-national is highly recommended.

Skills:

• Analytical with strong business acumen and works efficiently
• Capable to organize, plan and execute tasks reliably and independently.
• People management and development skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, SAP BI an asset.
• Excellent English writing and communication skills.
• Strong influencing, analytical and problem-solving skills
• Good understanding of law and general practices in terms of finance management
• Sufficient knowledge in IFRS
• Partnership at all levels of the organization.

Required Competencies:

• Expertise in financial matters.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Expertise in general accounting and cost accounting
• Expertise in reporting, budgeting & financial analysis
• Knowledge of ERP systems to support the function
• Accuracy and reliability.

Offer

• Puratos provides a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment that encourages our people to take initiatives and bring ideas that will contribute to the success of the company. Of course, Puratos offers a competitive package (salary, group insurance, healthcare, training…) but additionally, offers you a position that you can further develop and shape.

Interested and qualified candidates should: Click here to apply       Job Title: Area Sales Manager Location: Lagos, Nigeria Job Description

• Reporting directly to the General Manager, the successful candidate for this key function will be responsible for Identify, initiate and follow up the collaboration with the artisan and distributor sales.

Key Accountabilities 30% in Customer Management:

• Defines and grows the business through effective customer management and account business plans (joint as applicable) at trade level for the responsible customer / s or account / s channel /s area/s under the business unit.
• Identifies, understands and owns the customer relationship and partnership.
• Part and parcel of this role are the following but is not limited to:
  • Account goal planning (budget, channel strategy etc.)
  • “Route to market” analysis, evaluation and improvement
  • Customer/ Account business planning
  • New product launch
• The role leads in delivering profitable growth for Puratos and customer / s.
• Leads the articulation of customer / account priorities and opportunities and what it will take to deliver against these – he or she is the key communicator of this at all forms.
• Communicates and consistently monitors progress of the execution of the Artisan & distributor account strategies amongst trade customers with internal and external stakeholders.
• Develops and executes joint business plans with customer / s. (business consulting)
• Clearly establishes: “where to win” and “how to play” customer & trade programs that deliver the outcomes required with clear customer marketing, sales and financial deliverables.
• In all called out areas below, the role will comply with or develop the right measurable at all levels to ensure delivery and visibility of progress (or the lack of it) in achieving general trade business goals:
• Externally, the role is the main driver of the customer relationship – the main driver of joint business performance:
  • Developing new customers – creating sales profit by developing new customers
  • Attendance at education program for customer & seminar
• He or she articulates the right and relevant financial deliverables with respect to channels, and He or she is responsible for ensuring the delivery of the right stock, at the right time:
  • Credit management & collecting bills – adjusting and managing credit limit by each customer, collecting bills, managing bad bonds
  • Stock management – forecasting imported/manufactured item sales managing expiration date
  • Product / SKU planning and forecasting
  • Inventory goal planning and management
  • Returns minimization – planning and execution

40% in Sales Execution & SANCOC Management:

• Oversees the delivery of the responsible account sales goals through well defined Unicode (KPI).
• Delivers the agreed Artisan & distributor strategies for his or her customer.
• Part and parcel of this role are the following but is not limited to:
  • Compliance to trading terms (understand major items and influence if necessary)
  • Leading the joint business planning process with the customer
  • Lead SANCOC process and utilize sales channel portal as key instrument of sales process
  • Execute business reviews (internal and external) as planned
• Understan customers in their manufacturing operation systems, processes and policies to use their languages for sales discussion.

30% in developing new business opportunities:

• Define business opportunities via understanding of market/competitive landscape
• Identify, act on and materialize market opportunities based on new busine assignments from market analysis as well as development execution plan
• Lead and drive new business assignments by well-organized collaboration and communication with other functions to make more productive and better result.

Profile

• People skills oriented.
• A good personality and attitude: open-minded, honest, diplomat, precise, team player.
• Coordination skills with outcome oriented.
• Knowledge of the English language.
• Strong communication skills.  Excellent oral and written communication skills; strong interpersonal and presentation skills
• Good capacity of analysis and synthesis.
• Distributor account background (Technical food), experience in sales and/or marketing.
• Capacity to define and articulate a market and a pricing strategy.
• Sales negotiation skills with Artisan & Distributor accounts.
• Capability to build network of relationships in the industry; ability to be perceived as the subject matter expert.
• Basic knowledge of sales budgeting process, marketing techniques, production and distribution processes.
• Deep knowledge and exposure to sales and marketing
• Proficient in MS Office based applications
• Deep knowledge and exposure to sales and marketing
• Account Management & Category Management skillset
• A high level of understanding of finance and operations (logistics) of the business

Required Competencies Strategic Agility:

• Thinks strategically by clearly anticipating future trends, challenges, and consequences, creating breakthrough strategies and plans to achieve a competitive advantage, and proactively adjusting strategies and plans in order to sustain a competitive advantage.

Business Acumen:

• Understands how businesses work including how strategies and tactics work in the marketplace. Maintains working knowledge of competitors as well as current and possible future policies, practices, trends and information affecting his/ her business and organization.

Drive for Results:

• Pushes self and others to exceed goals and achieve breakthrough results. Recognizes the key actions necessary to achieve results; establishes and communicates the priorities to others; and, maintains own and others focus on achieving the important goals. Demonstrates persistence in overcoming roadblocks to achieving results and encourages others to do the same

Problem Solving and Decision Making:

• Uses a systematic process to solve difficult problems including gathering and examining information from a variety of sources; identifying the root cause of problems; drawing appropriate conclusions; generating viable solutions; and, weighing the pros and cons to arrive at a final decision. Makes decision in a timely manner, sometimes with incomplete information and under tight deadlines and pressure.

Process Management:

• Identifies the processes required to accomplish work tasks; simplifies and integrates processes and work tasks to enable efficient work flow; utilizes best practices to organize people and activities; measures result against key metrics; uses resources efficiently.

Offer

• Puratos provides a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment that encourages our people to take initiatives and bring ideas that will contribute to the success of the company.
• Of course, Puratos offers a competitive package (salary, group insurance, healthcare, training…) but additionally, offers you a position that you can further develop and shape.

Interested and qualified candidates should: Click here to apply       Job Title: Technical Demonstrator (Bakery/Pastry Chef/Chocolate Chef) Location: Lagos Job Description

• Reporting directly to General Manager, the successful candidate for this key function is to deliver frequent, state of the art, technical service & expertise.
• He or she needs to inspire customers with differentiating finished goods, based on latest global & local trends while using our focus product range.
• In close collaboration with the business development teams, he or she shall maintain existing & grow new business at different types of customers through high end technical support and commercial contacts.

Key Accountabilities Delight customers:

• Give demonstrations with Puratos products, finished goods and concepts in order to create close relationship with the customers
• Organize and/or give training sessions
• Participate and/or manage seminars & events in conjunction with Sales, Marketing and R&D. (TT, IPS, CID…)
• Trouble shooting at customers to support them in solving issues in their daily production in a timely manner

Develop inspirational finished goods and concepts:

• Actively look for customer needs and market trend and translates these into inspirational products
• Create finished goods, recipes and concepts in close collaboration with the business development teams
• Share recipes with customers and colleagues through multiple communication media

Business development activities:

• Promote the focus products according to the Puratos Product Strategy
• Maintain existing business and develop new business by identifying opportunities and threats at customers
• Positively influence purchase orders from customers by great product demonstrations and highlighting our high-quality differentiating product range
• Contribute to marketing events

Build and share knowledge and experience:

• Help colleagues and customers build technical knowledge on Puratos products, technologies and solutions
• Stay up to date on new technologies, machinery/equipment, trends and techniques and share with other technical advisors

New product development and innovations:

• Contribute early on in the development process to product development in close collaboration with the R&D and Marketing department
• Give technical advice on the product characteristics that need to be taken into account in the product development process. Advise on how the products are being used and how they can the customers’ life easier
• Support the business development teams in positioning the product range and determine gaps
• Contribute to new product launches (product testing, pictures & video’s, market tests …)

Support Innovation Center organization:

• Keep the Innovation Center in a perfect state on a day-to-day base (through 5S implementation)
• Inform the purchase responsible about raw materials needed for demonstrations
• Follow-up and report customer activities in CRM and reporting tools provided

Network building:

• Develop and maintain a network of schools, machinery manufacturers, professional bakery organizations
• Develop and contribute in the internal international technical community

Profile

• Secondary Education in Bakery/Pastry
• Hands-on experience in the Bakery/Patisserie/Chocolate sector
• Language skills: local language and English
• Computer skills and ability to use professional tools (CRM,…)
• Good knowledge on ingredients, process & equipment and finished goods
• Willing to share knowledge with colleagues and customers
• Ability to translate creative concepts into inspirational finished goods and concepts
• Strong communicator, able to inspire customers
• Interdependent team player: respect others, helpful, open minded, modest and integer
• Proven planning and organization skills with good attention to detail
• Consulting and selling skills
• Ability to find solutions to complex problems
• Flexibility to travel
• Strong communication skills (be a good communicator, has a good didactive approach and a good speaker).
• Flexible personality and attitude : open-minded, honest, social, respect, team player.
• Independent with a commercial approach (in order to tailor make his/her program to the needs of the customers).

Offer

• Puratos provides a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment that encourages our people to take initiatives and bring ideas that will contribute to the success of the company. Of course, Puratos offers a competitive package (salary, group insurance, healthcare, training…) but additionally, offers you a position that you can further develop and shape.

Interested and qualified candidates should: Click here to apply

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