Finance Business Partner
- Cotonou, Littoral
- CDI
- Temps-plein
We're committed to ethical sourcing and community growth in the West African shea industry. AAK West Africa is part of the AAK AB, a global vegetable oils business listed on the Swedish stock exchange.We offer our people the chance to make a real difference by being part of a team that is passionate about Making Better Happen™
We take, together with our people, responsibility for health and safety, and for creating a workplace where equality, diversity and inclusivity are priorities.
Our leaders are striving to be role models for our Better Leadership principles, and they are committed to unleash the full potential of every member of the AAK family.
Together, we are guided in our decisions and actions by our Better Behaviors and by the highest ethical standards.
We share a sense of ownership and pride for the positive impact our company makes.About the roleThe Finance Business Partner holds a pivotal strategic leadership role, overseeing and strengthening the Finance and Accounting function across multiple countries. This position ensures robust financial governance, reliable and insightful reporting, and disciplined performance management, while serving as a trusted advisor to senior leadership.
With responsibility for Benin, Nigeria and Cameroon, the role operates at the heart of business decision-making. The Finance Business Partner reports hierarchically to the Country Manager and functionally to the Regional Finance Director, ensuring strong local alignment while maintaining regional financial standards and strategic coherence.ResponsibilitiesBusiness Partnering & Decision Support
Act as strategic finance partner to the Country Manager and leadership teams across Benin, Nigeria and Cameroon.
Provide financial insights and challenge assumptions to support strategic decisions and cost optimization.
Lead and develop the Finance & Accounting team, promoting accountability and performance.
Support key business initiatives, system improvements and transformation projects.
Financial Planning & Analysis
Lead the annual budgeting process, periodic forecasting and long-term financial planning.
Deliver monthly performance analysis, highlighting key variances and corrective actions.
Monitor KPIs including cost structures, margins and working capital efficiency.
Oversee cash flow planning and financial scenario modelling.
Financial Reporting & Governance
Ensure timely and accurate local and Group reporting in compliance with SYSCOHADA and IFRS.
Safeguard balance sheet integrity and strengthen financial controls across entities
Improve reporting efficiency, data quality and transparency.
Coordinate internal and external audits and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
Operations, Inventory & Process Optimization
Oversee inventory valuation, pricing and billing governance.
Drive process improvements to enhance efficiency, reliability and internal controls.
Ensure effective ERP utilization and continuous optimization of financial systems.
Leadership & Stakeholder Management
Act as the key interface between local teams, regional leadership and corporate functions.
Develop finance capabilities and foster cross-functional collaboration.
Manage relationships with auditors, banks and tax authorities.About youMaster's degree in Finance, Economics, Business Administration or related field
Minimum 5 years' experience in a similar finance leadership role, ideally in multi-country or emerging market environments
Strong knowledge of SYSCOHADA & IFRS, with solid expertise in financial planning, reporting and compliance
Good understanding of cost structures, supply chain economics, FX and regional tax implications
Experience in inventory-intensive sectors (agriculture, manufacturing, commodities or logistics) is an advantage
Advanced Excel skills, strong ERP proficiency (SAGE preferred); BI tools are a plus
Fluent in French and English
Strong leadership, analytical mindset and ability to operate effectively in a dynamic, multicultural environmentIn return AAK offerStrategic regional role with high business impact
Exposure to multi-country operations
Opportunity to build and strengthen finance capabilities
Dynamic, international and growth-oriented environmentAbout AAKEverything AAK does is about Making Better Happen™. We specialize in plant-based oils that are the value-adding ingredients in many of the products people love to consume. We make these products better tasting, healthier, and more sustainable. At the heart of AAK's offer is Customer Co-Development, combining our desire to understand what better means for each customer, with the unique flexibility of our production assets, and a deep knowledge of many products and industries, including Chocolate & Confectionery, Bakery, Dairy, Plant-based Foods, Special Nutrition, Foodservice and Personal Care. Our 4,000 employees support our close collaboration with customers through 25 regional sales offices, 15 dedicated Customer Innovation Centers, and with the support of more than 20 production facilities. Listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and with our headquarters in Malmö, Sweden, AAK has been Making Better Happen™ for more than 150 years.AAK prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, religion, veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law in any aspect of the access to, admission, or treatment of students in its programs and activities, or in employment and application for employment.