Purpose of the Role

The Financial Controller is the primary custodian of financial integrity, internal controls, and fiscal discipline within Bulk Food Company. Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), this role is responsible for ensuring that the company’s Trade Orchestration model is backed by rigorous financial reporting, zero-leakage systems, and optimal cash flow management.

This is a high-impact leadership role requiring a professional who can perform effectively under sustained pressure in an environment where structures are evolving, priorities shift rapidly, and execution speed is critical. The Financial Controller must bridge the gap between complex agricultural trade flows and world-class financial governance

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

· Develop and execute financial strategies that align with the company’s mission of modernizing food supply systems.

· Provide financial insights to guide corporate strategy, investment decisions, and market expansion.

· Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board on financial sustainability and growth opportunities.

Financial Governance & Controllership

· Oversee the integration of financial workflows into the proprietary digital platform, ensuring that automated payments, escrow movements, and settlements are accurate and secure.

· Lead the preparation for internal and external audits. Ensure 100% compliance with IFRS, Nigerian tax laws (FIRS/LIRS), and specialized agricultural trade regulations.

· Design and enforce a robust control environment across multiple subsidiaries to prevent leakage in a high-volume, decentralized aggregation model.

Capital Structuring & Financing

· Design and manage innovative financing mechanisms that unlock access to credit for farmers, cooperatives, and aggregators.

· Lead fundraising initiatives, including debt, equity, and blended finance instruments.

· Ensure capital-efficient trade orchestration that minimizes risk and maximizes returns.

Financial Planning & Performance

· Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and performance management across all business units.

· Drive profitability through margin optimization, cost control, and efficient resource allocation.

· Establish KPIs and dashboards to monitor financial health and operational efficiency.

Governance, Compliance & Risk Management

· Ensure compliance with IFRS, tax regulations, and statutory reporting requirements.

· Lead risk management frameworks covering credit, liquidity, operational, and market risks.

· Maintain strong internal controls and audit readiness across all financial workflows.

Operational Excellence & Digital Finance

· Leverage the company’s proprietary digital platform for real-time financial monitoring, traceability, and analytics.

· Champion automation and innovation in financial processes to enhance transparency and efficiency.

· Integrate financial systems with logistics, aggregation, and quality assurance operations.

Stakeholder Engagement

· Build and sustain relationships with banks, investors, regulators, and development partners.

· Negotiate financial terms in large-scale agricultural programs and structured trade contracts.

· Represent the company in high-level financial discussions with governments and institutional stakeholders.

Leadership & Team Development

· Lead and inspire the finance team, fostering a culture of integrity, accountability, and innovation.

· Develop talent pipelines to strengthen financial expertise across the organization.

· Promote cross-functional collaboration to align financial strategies with commercial and operational goals.

Reporting & Data Analytics

· Develop and maintain a dashboard for real-time trade profitability, providing the executive team with instant visibility into margins per metric ton/commodity.

· Manage the reporting requirements for "Social Impact" programs funded by governments or Development Finance Institutions (DFIs).

· Lead the annual budgeting process and provide monthly variance analysis that focuses on "execution speed" and "cost-per-ton" efficiencies.

Qualifications & Certifications

Bachelor’s Degree (B.Sc./HND) in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related discipline from a reputable institution

An MBA or a Master’s degree in Finance, Economics, or Business Administration is highly preferred and will be considered an advantage

Evidence of advanced training in IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards).

Proficiency in advanced ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics) and data analytics tools

Fellow or Member — Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN)

Experience Required

· 15-20 years of progressive experience in finance, with at least 5 years in a Controllership or Finance Manager role.

· BSc in Accounting/Finance; Master’s degree (MBA/MSc) is a strong advantage.

· Must be a Chartered Accountant (ICAN, ACCA, or equivalent).

· Experience in Commodity Trading, Agribusiness, or FinTech/Platform-based businesses is highly preferred.

· Advanced proficiency in ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics) and a deep understanding of digital payment gateways.

· Ability to find the "story" in the data to drive commercial decision-making.

· The ability to operate in an environment where "structures are evolving" and "execution speed is critical."

· Absolute commitment to transparency and ethical financial practices in a complex trade landscape.