CDI - Finance Manager - Bilingual (Abidjan)
Côte d'Ivoire
DRIVING CONNECTIVITY
Chart your Course with PIL
With over 55 years of leadership in the global shipping industry, Pacific International Lines (PIL) is looking for proactive individuals to drive innovation and sustainable shipping solutions. If you’re fuelled by pioneering ideas, enjoy challenging the status quo, and are determined to make a significant impact, PIL wants you as a part of our dynamic community of maritime professionals.
At PIL, we provide local experiences with a global reach. With our headquarters in Singapore, and services offered at over 500 locations in 90 countries, you will have ample opportunities to work with colleagues from different cultures and communities.
Get On Board for a Dynamic and Purposeful Career.
Pacific International Lines (PIL) is looking for an ambitious, commercially minded Finance Manager who combines financial expertise with strategic vision, business acumen, and a strong drive for execution.
Role Overview
As Finance Manager, you will lead the Finance function for PIL Côte d’Ivoire, while also providing financial oversight and support to PIL Logistics Côte d’Ivoire.
Working closely with the Managing Director and leadership team as well as the Regional Office (WARO), you will safeguard financial integrity while acting as a trusted business partner, translating financial insights into actions that drive growth, profitability, operational efficiency and sound decision-making.
The role requires a strategic and hands-on leader who sees the big picture while maintaining strong financial discipline, challenges assumptions, identifies opportunities and proactively develops practical solutions.
We are looking for someone with strong business acumen, sound judgement, an entrepreneurial mindset and a bias for action, who can make a meaningful contribution to the sustainable growth and performance of both entities.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Business Partnering & Business Development
- Act as a trusted strategic partner to the Managing Director, supporting business vision, priorities and execution.
- Turn financial and business performance data into actionable insights and recommendations for management.
- Challenge assumptions and proactively solve business issues, bringing innovative and practical solutions.
- Partner across functions to drive growth, profitability, cost optimisation and overall business performance.
- Assess commercial opportunities, pricing, customer profitability, investments and new services to support sound decision-making.
- Develop financial models, business cases and scenario analyses to evaluate risks, returns and strategic initiatives.
- Translate strategy into clear objectives, KPIs and execution plans, taking ownership through to resolution.
Financial Planning, Performance Management & Reporting
- Lead budgeting, forecasting and financial planning in coordination with management and WARO.
- Prepare and analyse monthly financial statements, including P&L, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow.
- Provide clear insights on financial performance and key variances versus budget, forecast and prior periods.
- Monitor key financial and operational KPIs, including revenue, margins, OPEX, working capital, DSO and DPO.
- Establish customer credit policies, credit limits and risk assessments.
- Monitor exposure to key customers and ensure adequate safeguards against credit losses.
- Lead bad debt provisioning assessments and recovery strategies.
- Implement revenue assurance controls to ensure all services rendered are accurately billed and collected.
- Monitor revenue leakage risks and collaborate with Operations and Documentation teams to resolve gaps.
- Identify emerging risks and corrective actions through proactive financial analysis.
- Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting to Regional Office and Headquarters.
- Drive performance monitoring and data-driven decision-making across the organisation.
Treasury, Cash Flow, Working Capital Management & CAPEX
- Oversee cash flow planning, liquidity management and cash forecasting.
- Manage financial commitments and ensure effective use of available funds.
- Lead evaluation, approval and post-implementation review of capital expenditure and investment projects.
- Monitor customer collections, receivables ageing and overdue accounts, working with AR and Commercial teams.
- Drive resolution of payment disputes and collection issues with Commercial and Customer Care.
- Oversee supplier payments, bank reconciliations and banking relationships in line with Group requirements.
- Oversee procurement governance and expenditure controls.
- Ensure purchases comply with approval matrices, budgets and procurement policies.
- Monitor supplier concentration risks and negotiate improved commercial terms where appropriate.
- Continuously review banking structures, fees and facilities to optimise liquidity and financing costs.
- Monitor foreign exchange exposure and implement approved mitigation strategies to minimise currency risk.
- Monitor working capital and cash conversion, identifying opportunities to reduce financial exposure.
- Ensure petty cash controls, reconciliations and approvals are properly maintained.
Tax, Statutory Compliance, Risk & Audit
- Ensure compliance with Ivorian accounting, tax, social and statutory requirements, including SYSCOHADA.
- Manage and prepare for group tax reporting requirements (transfer pricing, withholding tax and others)
- Ensure adherence to IFRS, PIL accounting policies, Group procedures and internal controls.
- Oversee tax and statutory filings and coordinate with external advisers as required.
- Coordinate internal and external audits, ensuring accurate and complete supporting documentation.
- Monitor audit findings and corrective actions through to closure.
- Identify and mitigate financial, operational and compliance risks.
- Conduct periodic risk assessments and develop mitigation plans with business owners.
- Report key risks and mitigation progress to management and Regional Office.
- Maintain strong financial governance, approval controls, anti-fraud and anti-bribery compliance.
- Perform periodic internal control reviews and ensure segregation of duties, approval workflows and financial controls remain effective as the organisation grows
- Act as the key Finance interface with WARO, Headquarters, auditors, banks and external advisers.
Cross-Functional Leadership & Business Process Improvement
- Partner across functions to integrate financial considerations into business decisions.
- Help departmental leaders understand performance, cost drivers, budgets and corrective actions.
- Identify inefficiencies and drive productivity improvements and cost optimisation.
- Simplify, standardise and digitalise Finance processes.
- Strengthen Finance and Documentation coordination to improve billing accuracy, revenue recognition, payment verification and reconciliations.
- Lead finance digitalisation initiatives including ERP optimisation, automation, dashboard reporting, business intelligence solutions and data governance.
- Promote financial accountability and ownership across teams.
- Support the Managing Director in evaluating strategic priorities and business initiatives from a financial perspective.
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, coach and develop the Finance team, ensuring strong performance and professional growth.
- Set clear responsibilities, objectives and measurable KPIs for each team member.
- Conduct regular performance reviews, feedback and development discussions.
- Promote accuracy, integrity, accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Ensure effective workload allocation, backup coverage and business continuity.
- Build a capable, autonomous and high-performing Finance team delivering reliable results.
MUST HAVE:
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related field; professional qualification/postgraduate degree is an advantage.
- 5–8 years’ progressive Finance experience, including 2–3 years in a supervisory/managerial role.
- Strong experience in financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, treasury, internal controls and statutory compliance.
- Solid knowledge of SYSCOHADA, IFRS and Côte d’Ivoire tax regulations.
- Strong business acumen, analytical, financial modelling and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to translate financial data into practical business and commercial recommendations.
- Proficiency in ERP/accounting systems and advanced Microsoft Excel.
- Fluency in English is mandatory, with strong written and spoken communication skills; fluency in French is also required.
- Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder-management skills across functions.
WE VALUE:
- High responsiveness and ownership.
- Practical problem-solving and field coordination skills.
- Reliability, discipline, and a solution-oriented mindset.
- Collaboration between transporters, terminal, and internal teams.
Why Join Us:
- Be part of a leading global carrier with a strong focus on sustainability and innovation.
- Work in a dynamic and collaborative environment.
- Opportunities for professional growth and development.
Application Process:
To apply for this exciting opportunity, please submit your resume outlining your qualifications and experience on PIL Career Website.
Eligibility to Apply:
This position is open to Ivorian nationals or individuals who currently have the legal right to work in Ivory Coast. Please note that applicants without this eligibility will not be considered.
About Us
Incorporated in 1967, Pacific International Lines (PIL) is ranked 12th among the world’s top container shipping lines and is also the largest home-grown carrier in Southeast Asia. Based in Singapore, PIL is a global carrier with a focus on Asia, China, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Oceania, and the Pacific Islands.
Together with its affiliated companies Mariana Express Lines (MELL) and Malaysia Shipping Corporation, PIL serves customers at over 500 locations in more than 90 countries worldwide with a fleet of 100 container and multi-purpose vessels.
Apart from the core liner shipping business, PIL also has several other business units such as container manufacturing, depot, and logistics services.
PIL strives to meet the needs of its customers by providing value-adding services such as intermodal, breakbulk, and reefer services delivered on innovative technological platforms. With its focus on “Driving Connectivity” and commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050, PIL aims to be an efficient, sustainable, and future-ready shipping line.
For more information, visit www.pilship.com
Pacific International Lines (PIL) is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.