Role Purpose

The Business Performance Leader (BPL) drives profitable growth and a strong performance culture by combining financial leadership, operational oversight, and business analysis. This role delivers accurate reporting, forecasting, and insights while partnering with department leaders to achieve KPIs and support strategic decision-making. A strong financial and analytical background, preferably within retail or FMCG, is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and interpret financial performance with a focus on the Profit & Loss (P&L) statement, ensuring accuracy and understanding key drivers

• Identify risks and opportunities to improve store and departmental results

• Lead the budgeting and forecasting process, including rolling forecasts and scenario modelling

• Monitor and control OPEX and CAPEX, approving purchase orders and ensuring adherence to budgets

• Conduct detailed variance, trend, and gap analysis to highlight risks, opportunities, and performance issues

• Establish and enforce internal controls to safeguard company assets, ensure accuracy, and prevent fraud

• Advise on strategies for cost reduction, revenue enhancement, and investment decisions

• Translate business unit goals into store-level KPI targets

• Track, analyse, and escalate performance gaps across sales, margin, costs, shrinkage, and operations

• Deliver regular performance reports and present insights to Store EXCO and regional stakeholders

• Conduct weekly and monthly store performance reviews

• Lead External and Internal Audit processes

• Partner with Heads of Department to analyse financial performance, KPIs, and profitability drivers

• Collaborate on action plans that drive departmental and store performance

• Train and coach department managers on financial acumen and KPI management

• Organise and facilitate training sessions to build commercial capability

• Promote a performance-driven culture with clear objectives and accountability

• Evaluate and improve financial and business processes for efficiency and compliance

• Identify and mitigate operational and financial risks

• Support process improvement initiatives to address underperformance

• Own the stock count process and execution

• Ensure inventory accuracy and manage shrinkage with Heads of Department

• Oversee financial aspects of inventory management and supply chain efficiency

• Manage external service providers including security, cleaning, and waste management

• Ensure cost efficiency and compliance with service agreements

• Partner with the Store Leader on business planning and strategy execution

• Provide analytical insights for investment decisions and business growth

• Align store-level initiatives with regional performance priorities

• Lead the implementation of new processes, systems, and tools

• Manage change effectively, ensuring smooth transitions and team engagement

• Provide training and communication support during change initiatives

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field (Essential)

• Professional certification (CIMA, ACCA, SAICA or equivalent) advantageous

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in financial management, business performance, or accounting

• Retail or FMCG sector experience preferred

• Experience working with ERP/accounting systems and financial reporting tools

• Strong financial and analytical acumen

• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills

• Strong leadership and coaching ability

• Ability to translate data into actionable business insights

• High proficiency in Excel, financial modelling, and reporting systems

• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills

• Ability to influence and drive performance across multiple departments