Finance and Operations Manager

Apex Forte Professionals is a company specializing in providing recruitment and staffing solutions. Their primary objective is to connect highly skilled professionals with organizations that need their expertise, ensuring a good match between the candidates' skills and the clients' requirements. This involves a range of services, including talent acquisition, workforce management, and consulting to help businesses build effective teams and achieve their goals.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Finance & Operations Manager

Location: Ikeja, Lagos
Employment Type: Full-time

Key Responsibilities
Financial Management & Reporting:

• Oversee the financial activities of both Opebi and Berger branches.
• Prepare daily, weekly and monthly financial reports for management.
• Monitor revenue, operating expenses, profit margins and cash flow.
• Ensure accurate daily sales reconciliation across all payment channels, including POS, transfers and cash.
• Review expenditure requests, supplier invoices and supporting documentation before submission for approval.
• Develop and monitor departmental budgets and identify opportunities for cost reduction.
• Analyse food costs, operating expenses and branch profitability.
• Maintain accurate financial records and ensure proper documentation of transactions.
• Identify financial irregularities, wastage and revenue leakages, and recommend corrective measures.
• Coordinate monthly financial reviews and present recommendations to the Managing Director.

Taxation & Statutory Compliance:

• Oversee compliance with applicable Nigerian tax laws and statutory requirements.
• Coordinate the preparation and timely filing of VAT, PAYE, withholding tax and other applicable tax returns.
• Maintain proper tax documentation and supporting records.
• Liaise with external accountants, auditors, tax consultants and relevant regulatory authorities when required.
• Monitor changes in tax regulations and advise management on their implications.
• Ensure statutory obligations are properly calculated, documented and submitted for approval.
• Support tax audits and regulatory inspections.

Restaurant Operations Management:

• Provide management oversight across both restaurant branches.
• Coordinate the activities of Floor Supervisors, Production Supervisors, Facility Management and other departmental heads.
• Monitor daily restaurant operations to ensure efficiency and adherence to company policies.
• Ensure consistent food quality, service standards, hygiene and customer satisfaction.
• Monitor staff punctuality, attendance, discipline and productivity.
• Address operational challenges and resolve issues within delegated authority.
• Conduct regular operational inspections and identify areas requiring improvement.
• Ensure effective communication and coordination between departments.
• Support branch management in handling customer complaints and service-related challenges.
• Ensure operational procedures are properly documented and consistently followed.

Inventory, Procurement & Cost Control:

• Monitor inventory management across both branches.
• Review stock movement, consumption, wastage and discrepancies.
• Ensure regular stocktaking and reconciliation.
• Monitor food portion control and production costs.
• Review procurement requests and supplier quotations.
• Evaluate supplier pricing and recommend cost-saving opportunities.
• Investigate unusual stock variances, shortages or excessive wastage.
• Ensure proper documentation of goods received and issued.
• Work with the Production Supervisor to minimise food waste while maintaining quality.

Staff Management & Departmental Supervision:

• Coordinate and monitor the performance of departmental supervisors.
• Ensure staff comply with company policies, operational procedures and service standards.
• Participate in staff recruitment, onboarding, training and performance evaluations.
• Identify staffing gaps and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Promote professionalism, teamwork, accountability and discipline.
• Address staff-related issues within approved company policies.
• Recommend disciplinary actions, promotions or staff restructuring where necessary.
• Ensure supervisors submit accurate departmental reports.

Berger Branch Opening & Operational Readiness:

• Participate in planning and coordinating the operational launch of Abula Tawa – The Village.
• Assist with recruitment and training of Berger management and operational staff.
• Establish financial reporting and operational control procedures for the new branch.
• Coordinate departmental readiness before opening.
• Ensure inventory systems, reporting procedures and staff responsibilities are clearly established.
• Monitor initial operating costs, sales performance and customer feedback after launch.
• Identify operational challenges during the opening period and recommend improvements.
• Work closely with the Berger Branch Manager to ensure a successful and organised opening.

Management Reporting & Accountability:

• Submit consolidated daily sales and expenditure reports for both branches.
• Prepare weekly operational performance reports.
• Submit monthly financial and profitability reports.
• Report significant financial discrepancies, operational failures or staff misconduct promptly.
• Recommend strategies for improving profitability, efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Attend management meetings and provide updates on departmental performance.
• Ensure that routine operational issues are handled at management level without unnecessary escalation to the Managing Director.

Financial Authority & Limitations:

• The Finance & Operations Manager shall operate within the company's established financial control policies.
• All supplier payments, salaries, major purchases and other company payments remain under the authority of the Managing Director.
• The manager may administer approved imprest funds strictly within established limits.
• The manager may review and recommend payments but shall not independently authorise or execute company payments without express approval.
• All imprest expenditure must be properly documented, supported by receipts and reconciled.
• The manager shall not enter into financial commitments, loan agreements or major supplier contracts without management approval.
• Cash handling, transaction recording and reconciliation must be subject to appropriate checks and independent verification.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Performance during the first three months will be assessed based on:
• Accuracy and timeliness of financial reports.
• Effectiveness of financial controls and sales reconciliation.
• Tax compliance and proper recordkeeping.
• Reduction in avoidable expenses, wastage and stock discrepancies.
• Ability to coordinate departmental supervisors effectively.
• Improvements in operational efficiency and service standards.
• Successful contribution to Berger's operational readiness and launch.
• Ability to identify and resolve operational challenges independently.
• Quality of management reporting and recommendations.
• Demonstrated leadership, integrity, accountability and sound judgment.

Qualifications & Competencies

• Relevant qualification in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a related discipline.
• Proven experience in financial management and business operations.
• Previous experience in hospitality, restaurant management or a related service industry is an advantage.
• Good understanding of Nigerian taxation and statutory compliance.
• Strong financial analysis, budgeting and reporting skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and relevant accounting software.
• Strong leadership, communication and problem-solving abilities.
• High level of integrity, confidentiality and accountability.
• Ability to oversee multiple business locations and coordinate different departments.

Probation & Career Progression:

• The appointment will be subject to an initial three-month probation period.
• During this period, the employee's financial competence, operational leadership, management effectiveness and ability to oversee both branches will be evaluated.

Salary
N300,000 - N350,000 per month.