About the position
Find the Olive. Grow the Margin. – Sales Financial Controller
In 1987, American Airlines made a famous business decision that became known as the "Olive Theory." By removing just one olive from every first-class salad, they saved tens of thousands of dollars annually. One small change, multiplied across thousands of transactions, created a significant impact on profitability.
That's exactly the mindset this role requires.
A leading international catering and support services organisation is looking for a Sales Financial Controller to join its Cape Town team. This is an opportunity for a commercially minded finance professional who understands that profitability is often found in the details — whether that's a pricing adjustment, a process improvement, a billing control, or the financial equivalent of finding the olive.
You'll operate at the intersection of finance, operations, costing, and commercial strategy, helping the business improve margins, optimise pricing structures, and support decision-making across a complex operational environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Commercial Finance & Cost Control
- Calculate and analyse cost of sales to support pricing and profitability initiatives
- Identify margin improvement opportunities and cost-saving initiatives
- Support operational teams with pricing reviews and commercial analysis
- Assist with menu and service pricing changes while ensuring financial viability
- Protect and maintain the integrity of pricing structures across the business
- Accounting & Financial Control
- Support month-end reporting processes and financial reviews
- Review invoice audits and billing accuracy
- Investigate and resolve billing and pricing discrepancies
- Assist with operational stock reviews and financial reconciliations
- Ensure financial information remains accurate and commercially meaningful
- Analysis & Reporting
- Extract, analyse, and interpret financial data
- Provide reporting that supports commercial and operational decision-making
- Monitor pricing cycles and ensure accurate implementation
- Partner with key stakeholders to improve business performance
- Process Improvement
- Review existing processes and identify opportunities for greater efficiency
- Support continuous improvement initiatives across finance and operations
- Drive accuracy, consistency, and financial discipline throughout the business
Job Experience and Skills Required
- Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Finance
- 3–5 years' experience in accounting, commercial finance, costing, or financial analysis
- Strong experience in pricing, costing, and profitability analysis
- Process improvement exposure advantageous
- Internal audit exposure beneficial
- Strong systems aptitude and financial modelling skills
- Advanced Excel skills
- Strong commercial mindset with a passion for operational finance
Key Competencies
- Commercially astute with a strong analytical mindset
- Naturally curious and always looking for efficiencies
- Strong attention to detail
- Excellent problem-solving ability
- Confident stakeholder engagement skills
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced operational environment
- Proactive, ambitious, and solutions-driven
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys looking beyond the numbers to uncover opportunities for growth and efficiency. If you've ever looked at a process and wondered, "Where's the olive?" you'll fit right in.
If you're ready to combine commercial finance expertise with operational impact and help drive profitability in a global business, let's connect.
Desired Skills:
- Cost Accounting
- Financial Controller
- Cost Setting
