For decades, Rainbow Chicken has been a trusted name in South Africa’s poultry industry — known for quality, resilience, and innovation. As we continue to grow, we’re looking for exceptional leaders to help shape the next chapter of our journey.
This opportunity is part of our Management Talent Pool — a proactive initiative to identify and engage top talent ahead of future leadership needs. While there may not be an immediate vacancy, joining the talent pool means you’ll be considered for upcoming roles aligned to your skills and experience as they arise.
If you’re passionate about driving excellence, sustainability, and feeding the nation, we invite you to express interest and become part of our pipeline for future leadership opportunities.
Requirements
- B.Com, CIMA or CA(SA)
- 5–10 years’ experience in commercial and financial roles within agriculture, processing, or manufacturing
- People management and some exposure to processing or manufacturing environments
Key Responsibilities
Budgeting and Forecasting
Coordinate annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting for regional agricultural operations, raw meat, processing, and servicesLiaise with processing teams to coordinate the budget processConsolidate regional Agriculture budgets and forecastsEnsure departmental budgets and forecasts are completed and reasonable in relation to prior periods and economic indicatorsManage budget and forecasting timetablesPrepare the annual budget and quarterly forecast pack for the Commercial ExecutiveReport budgets and forecasts according to formats supplied by National OfficeInterpret final budget and forecast outcomes to ensure alignment with strategic objectives and initiate changes where necessaryCoordinate and consolidate regional budgets and forecastsOwn budgeting, forecasting and performance reporting processesReforecasting, budgeting, and business model updatesCapex Management
Identify capex opportunities to unlock profit within the context of Group capex requirements and strategyPrepare and follow up on capex motivations and workflowsPrepare post-capex reviewsReview capex applications to ensure ROI requirements are metComply with capex applications and procure-to-payment processesEvaluate capex vs. maintenance decisions using company guidelines and accounting practicesAttend capex meetings to ensure financial aspects of projects are adhered toLead ROI analysis and prioritisation of capex projectsReporting and KPI Management
Compile monthly reporting packs of operational results vs. budgetReport key performance indicators daily, weekly, and monthlyAnalyse cost centre cost variance reports and MACS variance reportsReview daily, weekly, and monthly KPI reports for accuracy and timelinessMeasure, analyse, and explain KPI fluctuations and variancesConsolidate monthly commentary for submission to the Commercial ExecutiveReport financial performance of the regional agriculture function monthlyReport on strategic commercial scenariosPrepare stock movement summariesReview cycle costing and provide feedback to the Agriculture teamReview preliminary GL reports to ensure accurate cost allocationDeliver accurate monthly results, commentary and KPI trackingMonth-end reporting, journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and KPI dashboardsConsolidate reporting and management packsDistribution of reports and trackingBoard report compilation and stakeholder coordinationDeliver accurate month-end results and board-level reportingProduct Costing and Margin Improvement
Maintain close working relationships with the National Management Accounting teamContinuously analyse and audit standard costs to reflect actual production processesBenchmark standard feed costsAnalyse actual vs. standard cost variances monthlyLiaise with regional sales teams to communicate cost changesTrack product and customer profit margins monthlyReview and provide insight into proposed changes to product costsReview calculations of approved product costing changesMonitor and review post-launch impact of product costing changesCost Control and Financial Management
Analyse costs against budget / forecast and investigate variances monthlyIdentify cost-saving opportunities and influence corrective actionManage costs within budget and forecast constraintsProvide input to drive efficiency optimization in plant environmentsReport regularly on actual KPIs vs. budgetAuthorise expenses within authority limitsImplement and encourage cost management initiativesMitigate business risks within budget constraintsManage external supplier relationships and contractsReview and authorise contract grower paymentsSet and document egg prices and depleted breeder pricesIdentify and eliminate inefficiencies across regions and divisionsDrive group initiativesReview and authorise workflows, purchase orders, cost allocations, journalsEnsure robust stock control and variance analysisFinancial review and managementOverhead review and managementRegional Planning and Commercial Insight
Support regional planners in mix optimizationProvide commercial insight into mix changesLiaise with Head of Value Add and Commercial ExecutiveCoordinate investigations and auditsProvide strategic input on new projects, processes, cost and pricingApply financial modelling and scenario analysisEngage with internal and external stakeholdersStock Control
Investigate raw material and finished goods stock variancesAssess stock control proceduresEnsure robust stock control and variance analysisInventory aging and tariff submissionsInformation and Data Management
Ensure team members accurately and regularly capture dataShare relevant data with management teamsFunctional Strategy into Action Contribution
Work with Commercial Executive, Head of Value Add, Regional Agriculture Executive, and Regional DirectorCommunicate operational capacity, asset utilization, and capex requirementsWork closely with cross-functional teamsSuggest improvements to the annual Strategy into Action planEnsure agreed SIA is implementedCo-create and implement commercial strategyTranslate strategic targets into operational plansDrive integrated commercial alignmentStaff Management
Lead and develop staff in line with labour legislationMonitor staff performance and provide feedbackManage staff activities and service levelsCoach and support staffManage staff leave and time managementDeliver on succession plansChampion training and developmentConduct regular performance appraisalsEstablish labour organizing and communication structuresLead the team toward strategy and target achievementDrive employment equityDevelop and manage high-performance multidisciplinary teamsConduct regular meetings and ensure delivery of action plansLead and develop a high-performance commercial teamDrive succession planning, training and performance managementFoster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvementContract Grower Management
Prepare contract grower paymentsSet grower standards for cycle paymentsMeasure and explain grower KPI fluctuationsCommunicate cycle payments and variables to growersGovernance and Self-Management
Ensure adherence to ethical standards and RPM requirementsReport and escalate non-complianceTake ownership and demonstrate effective self-managementMaintain quality and productivity standardsCommunicate risks and missed deadlinesManage expectations and support team goalsEnsure compliance with IFRS, tax legislation and internal controlsLead post-implementation reviews and audit readinessOperational Tasks (Monthly, Weekly, Ad Hoc)
Month-end reporting, journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and KPI dashboardsTime table managementJournal and month end close processesFinancial review and managementOverhead review and managementConsolidate reporting and management packsDistribution of reports and trackingBoard report compilation and stakeholder coordinationReforecasting, budgeting, and business model updatesImports, insurance, inventory aging, and tariff submissionsAd hoc support to Finance Exec and senior leadershipSouth Africa
#J-18808-Ljbffr