An established organisation based in Johannesburg is seeking an experienced Commercial Business Partner to join its Commercial Department.

The successful candidate will be responsible for financial governance, cost control, SAP order management and project accounting across the Southern Africa organisation. The role acts as the commercial custodian of project financial performance throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring accurate financial reporting, cost transparency, compliance with internal policies and protection of project profitability.

This role is suited to a commercially astute finance professional with strong SAP expertise, project accounting experience and the ability to partner with project teams, management and other stakeholders to improve financial outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Project Cost Control and Financial Governance (40%)

Project Cost Management

• Monitor and control project costs throughout the project lifecycle to ensure alignment with approved budgets and profitability targets.
• Establish project budgets within SAP and continuously track actual costs against planned costs.
• Identify, analyse and report cost variances, overruns and financial risks.
• Develop and maintain project cost forecasts and cash flow projections.
• Support project teams in implementing corrective actions to improve project financial performance.
• Drive cost transparency and accountability across all project stakeholders.
• Review project expenditure for compliance with approved budgets and company policies.
• Monitor committed costs, accruals, provisions and forecast expenditure.

Financial Performance Management

• Analyse project margins, profitability and return on investment.
• Ensure project financial health is accurately reflected in management reporting.
• Participate in project review meetings and provide commercial recommendations to improve financial outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with internal Project Management and Corporate Risk Management requirements.

SAP Order Processing and Project Accounting (35%)

SAP Order Management

• Own and maintain project master data within SAP.
• Ensure accurate creation, maintenance and administration of customer orders, project structures, work breakdown structures (WBS) and project milestones.
• Monitor SAP transactions to ensure completeness and accuracy of project financial information.
• Manage project-related order processing from contract award through project closure.
• Ensure all project changes, variations and commercial adjustments are accurately reflected within SAP.

Project Accounting

• Perform project accounting activities, including revenue recognition support, cost allocations, accruals and project close-out activities.
• Validate project financial postings and investigate discrepancies.
• Ensure accurate recording of project costs and revenues within SAP FI/CO and PS modules.
• Support monthly, quarterly and annual financial closing activities.
• Reconcile project financial data between operational and accounting systems.
• Ensure financial data integrity and compliance with internal controls and audit requirements.

SAP Super User Responsibilities

• Act as SAP Super User for Commercial Services.
• Provide first-line support and guidance to project stakeholders regarding SAP processes.
• Drive continuous improvement of SAP-related workflows and controls.
• Train users on project accounting and order processing procedures.

Commercial Contract Administration and Risk Management (15%)

• Review commercial terms and conditions during tender and quotation stages.
• Conduct commercial risk assessments and recommend mitigation measures.
• Manage contract administration activities, including order confirmations, invoicing and payment security monitoring.
• Review Letters of Credit and other financial securities and coordinate required amendments.
• Support foreign exchange management and currency risk mitigation activities.
• Ensure compliance with internal Operative Risk Management policies.
• Coordinate commercial documentation between customers, banks, project teams and management.

Project Controlling and Management Reporting (10%)

• Produce accurate and timely project financial reports for local and corporate management.
• Analyse project performance indicators and financial trends.
• Ensure quality, accuracy and consistency of management reporting data.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and strategic planning processes.
• Assist management in identifying opportunities for cost optimisation and operational efficiencies.
• Train and support regional stakeholders in project controlling principles and financial governance processes.

Minimum Requirements

• A degree in Finance, Accounting, Commerce, Business Administration, Cost Management, Project Management or a related discipline would be advantageous.
• Professional qualifications in Project Management, Cost Accounting or Financial Management would be advantageous.
• A minimum of five to seven years' experience in project accounting, project controlling, commercial management or financial project administration.
• Proven experience managing project financials in an engineering, manufacturing, industrial equipment or capital projects environment.
• Strong experience with SAP FI/CO, Project Systems (PS) and Sales & Distribution modules.
• Experience in cost control, forecasting, budgeting and project profitability analysis.
• Experience supporting project managers with financial governance and commercial decision-making.

Technical Competencies

• Advanced SAP FI/CO and Project Systems (PS) knowledge.
• Project accounting and revenue recognition.
• Cost control and variance analysis.
• Budgeting and forecasting.
• Financial reporting and management accounting.
• Contract administration and commercial risk management.
• Cash flow management.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Business intelligence and reporting tools.