Finance Manager - Astral

FINANCIAL MANAGER

National Chicks | Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal

Lead Financial Excellence in a Vertically Integrated Poultry Business

National Chicks, a leading player in South Africa's poultry industry, is seeking a commercially astute and results-driven Financial Manager to join its leadership team in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer and working closely with the Finance Manager for Astral Poultry Agriculture the successful candidate will provide strategic financial leadership across breeder and broiler operations, ensuring sound financial management, operational efficiency, governance, and sustainable business growth.

This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified finance professional to play a key role within a dynamic agricultural business where finance is central to production performance, biological asset management, operational decision-making, and long-term strategic success.

The Opportunity:

As a member of the senior management team, you will work closely with operational, production and executive leadership to drive profitability, optimise resources, strengthen financial controls and support the continued growth of the business.

This role requires a finance leader who can combine strong technical expertise with commercial insight and a hands-on approach to partnering with operational teams.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Financial Leadership

• Lead and manage the complete finance function across poultry and agricultural operations.
• Deliver accurate and timely monthly, quarterly and annual financial reporting.
• Drive budgeting, forecasting and strategic financial planning processes.
• Provide financial analysis and commercial insights to support business decisions.

Agricultural & Operational Finance

• Manage financial reporting relating to breeder and broiler production operations.
• Monitor and analyse production costs, feed costs, flock performance and operational efficiencies.
• Oversee stock, biological assets, fixed assets, debtors, creditors, provisions and cash flow management.
• Develop and maintain robust costing models and profitability reporting. Evaluate and monitor capital expenditure projects and infrastructure investments.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all statutory, tax, VAT and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain a strong internal control environment and sound corporate governance practices.
• Manage financial risk, insurance and business continuity considerations.
• Oversee financial systems and reporting integrity.

Leadership & Business Partnership

• Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing finance team.
• Partner with production, farming and operational management to improve business performance.
• Participate in Executive, Audit, Risk and Steering Committee forums.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives and operational excellence across the business.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications

• CA(SA) or CIMA qualification (essential)

Experience

• Minimum 5 to 10 years' relevant financial management experience.
• Proven experience within:
• Poultry production or similar animal background
• Agriculture environment
• FMCG environments

Strong experience in:

• Management accounting
• Cost accounting and standard costing
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Tax and VAT compliance
• Capital investment evaluation
• Financial reporting and controls

Experience with biological assets, livestock accounting or agricultural production environments will be highly advantageous.

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• Advanced Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office Suite
• ERP and integrated financial systems experience – BAAN or Infor®LN experience would be advantageous
• Financial modeling and forecasting
• Cost and profitability analysis
• Strong understanding of production and operational finance

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS:

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

✔ Strong commercial acumen and strategic thinking

✔ Excellent leadership and people management skills

✔ High levels of integrity and professionalism

✔ Strong analytical and problem-solving ability

✔ A hands-on approach and operational mindset

✔ The ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced agricultural environment

✔ A passion for continuous improvement and operational excellence

Why Join National Chicks?

At National Chicks as part of Astral Foods, the leading south African poultry producer, we are committed to excellence throughout the poultry value chain. This role offers the opportunity to work within a well-established agricultural business where your contribution will directly influence operational performance, profitability and long-term growth.

You will enjoy:

• A strategic leadership role with executive exposure
• The opportunity to influence business performance across breeder and broiler operations
• A collaborative and results-driven culture
• Exposure to a complex and integrated agricultural production environment
• A competitive remuneration package aligned to experience and qualifications including performance bonus (at management discretion).
• Learning and development opportunities
• Where applicable the company will support relocation costs in accordance with Company policy
• Future opportunities within the Astral group

About National Chicks

National Chicks operates within the poultry sector and is focused on delivering excellence across breeder and broiler production. Through strong operational practices, innovation and a commitment to sustainable growth, we continue to play an important role in supporting South Africa's agricultural and food production industries.

www.nationalchicks.com Superior from Day 1

Apply Now

If you are a qualified CA(SA) or CIMA professional with a proven track record in agriculture, poultry production or manufacturing finance and are looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a leading agricultural business, we invite you to apply.

Location: Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal

Employment Type: Permanent

National Chicks is an equal opportunity employer. Preference may be given to suitably qualified

candidates in line with the Company's Employment Equity objectives.

Camperdown

Pietermaritzburg

Published Date: 10 June 2026

Closing Date: 24 June 2026