Job Description
Som Trade Limited is inviting applications from accomplished finance professionals for the position of Head of Finance based at our Container Freight Station (CFS) in Mombasa. This executive leadership opportunity is designed for a commercially minded finance expert who can provide strategic financial direction while ensuring operational excellence across a dynamic logistics environment. The successful candidate will become an integral member of the senior leadership team, contributing to business planning, financial sustainability, corporate governance, and long-term organizational growth. This role demands an individual who combines technical accounting expertise with strong commercial judgment, exceptional leadership capabilities, and the ability to influence strategic decision-making at the highest level. Working closely with executive management, departmental leaders, auditors, financial institutions, regulatory bodies, and external stakeholders, the Head of Finance will oversee every aspect of financial management while supporting business expansion initiatives. Responsibilities include developing financial strategies that align with corporate objectives, strengthening internal controls, monitoring organizational performance through accurate reporting, managing cash flow, supervising budgeting processes, and ensuring strict compliance with statutory obligations and international financial reporting standards. The position also requires continuous evaluation of financial risks, identification of operational efficiencies, implementation of effective cost management initiatives, and delivery of meaningful financial insights that support informed business decisions. As the company continues to strengthen its position within Kenya's logistics and supply chain sector, the Head of Finance will play a central role in enhancing profitability, improving financial systems, supporting investment decisions, and promoting sustainable business practices. The successful candidate will foster a high-performance finance culture by mentoring and developing finance professionals while encouraging accountability, innovation, transparency, and continuous improvement. This position offers the opportunity to shape financial policies, modernize reporting systems, optimize resource allocation, and contribute directly to the success of a rapidly growing organization operating in one of East Africa's busiest logistics hubs. Individuals who thrive in fast-paced commercial environments, possess outstanding analytical skills, demonstrate exceptional integrity, and have extensive senior finance leadership experience are encouraged to apply. Som Trade Limited offers a collaborative workplace where professional excellence is recognized, strategic thinking is valued, and leadership has a measurable impact on organizational success.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide overall strategic leadership for the finance department while aligning financial objectives with the company's long-term business strategy.
- Develop and implement comprehensive financial policies that strengthen accountability, transparency, and operational efficiency.
- Direct the preparation of annual operating budgets, capital expenditure plans, and long-term financial forecasts.
- Monitor financial performance through detailed variance analysis and recommend corrective measures where necessary.
- Prepare timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for executive management and stakeholders.
- Ensure compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), Kenyan tax regulations, and all statutory reporting requirements.
- Lead the preparation and coordination of internal and external audits while ensuring prompt resolution of audit findings.
- Oversee treasury management activities, including banking relationships, liquidity planning, and cash flow optimization.
- Design financial models that support investment decisions, business expansion initiatives, and operational improvements.
- Evaluate financial risks and establish practical mitigation strategies that protect organizational assets.
- Supervise financial planning processes that support sustainable growth and profitability.
- Review organizational expenditure to identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising operational performance.
- Manage taxation processes, ensuring accurate filing of corporate taxes, VAT, withholding tax, and other statutory obligations.
- Strengthen internal financial controls to safeguard company resources and minimize operational risks.
- Monitor working capital performance and recommend improvements that enhance business liquidity.
- Collaborate with operational managers to improve budgeting accuracy and financial discipline across departments.
- Analyze revenue trends, operational costs, and profitability indicators to support executive decision-making.
- Present financial reports and strategic recommendations during senior management meetings.
- Lead the finance team through coaching, mentoring, performance management, and succession planning initiatives.
- Promote continuous professional development within the finance department.
- Evaluate accounting systems and recommend technology improvements that enhance reporting accuracy and efficiency.
- Support contract negotiations by providing financial analysis and commercial advice.
- Establish key financial performance indicators that measure departmental and organizational success.
- Ensure effective asset management, including depreciation schedules and capital investment monitoring.
- Maintain productive relationships with banks, auditors, regulators, insurance providers, and financial partners.
- Review procurement financial implications and advise management on cost-effective purchasing strategies.
- Support business continuity planning through sound financial contingency strategies.
- Drive profitability improvement initiatives by identifying financial opportunities across business operations.
- Prepare board-level financial presentations supported by meaningful business intelligence.
- Ensure ethical financial management practices that reinforce the company's reputation for integrity and professionalism.
Qualifications & Requirements
- The ideal candidate should possess a bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Commerce, or another closely related discipline from a recognized institution. A master's degree, preferably an MBA specializing in Finance or an equivalent postgraduate qualification, will provide a significant advantage. Professional certification such as CPA(K), ACCA, CA, or an equivalent internationally recognized accounting qualification is highly desirable. Candidates should demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of financial reporting standards, corporate finance, budgeting, forecasting, taxation, treasury management, and financial analysis. Strong leadership abilities with proven experience managing multidisciplinary finance teams are essential. The successful applicant must possess exceptional analytical thinking, commercial awareness, problem
- solving capabilities, and strategic planning skills. Advanced proficiency in enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, accounting software, Microsoft Excel, and financial reporting tools is expected. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong negotiation abilities, and the capacity to build productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders are critical. High ethical standards, sound professional judgment, attention to detail, adaptability, organizational skills, confidentiality, resilience under pressure, and a commitment to continuous improvement will be essential attributes for success in this executive leadership position. Prior experience within logistics, shipping, freight forwarding, port operations, or supply chain management environments will be considered an added advantage.
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications are invited to submit their updated CV together with a detailed cover letter outlining their suitability for the position. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for the next stage of the recruitment process.