Data Analyst – Finance & Reporting

Introduction

Our client is an established South African manufacturer operating within the FMCG and confectionery industry. The business is focused on quality, operational efficiency and continuous improvement, with an emphasis on using reliable data to support informed business decisions.

Description

Department: Finance
Reporting To: Business Analyst
Remuneration: R18,000 – R28,000 total cost to company (CTC) per month, depending on the successful candidate's qualifications, relevant experience and technical expertise.

Purpose of the Role

We are seeking a detail-oriented and analytically minded Data Analyst to join our client's Finance team in Amalgam, Johannesburg.

Reporting to the Business Analyst, the successful candidate will be responsible for collecting, validating, reconciling and analysing sales, commercial and operational data to produce accurate reports and meaningful business insights.

The role has a strong focus on sales reporting, financial reconciliations, FMCG trade spend and dashboard development, working closely with Finance, Sales, Supply Chain, Exports and Group Reporting teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Data Management and Reconciliation

  • Collect, clean and validate data from SAP, sales systems, retail partners, wholesalers and operational sources.

  • Reconcile sales data to the general ledger, including trading terms, claims and rebates.

  • Investigate and resolve data discrepancies in collaboration with relevant departments.

  • Maintain data accuracy, quality standards and documentation, including data sources and lineage.

• Reporting and Business Intelligence

  • Prepare accurate daily, weekly, monthly and ad hoc management reports.

  • Produce daily sales reports, Day 1 monthly sales reporting and month-end reporting inputs.

  • Develop and maintain dashboards and reports using Power BI and Excel, including Power Query and Power Pivot.

  • Develop, monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) across departments.

  • Support the Business Analyst in identifying trends, cost drivers, risks and opportunities for improvement.

     

• Process Improvement and Business Support

  • Identify opportunities to automate reporting processes and improve efficiency.

  • Translate business reporting requirements into meaningful data analysis and reports.

  • Support budgeting, forecasting, Group reporting and special projects.

  • Communicate findings clearly to management and non-technical stakeholders.

  • Ensure compliance with POPIA and internal information security policies.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Matric / Grade 12.

• A Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Information Systems, Computer Science, Economics or a related field.

• 2–3 years' experience in data analysis, business intelligence or financial reporting.

• Experience working with large datasets and producing management reports.

• Working knowledge of FMCG trade spend, including trading terms, claims and rebates.

• Understanding of sales-to-general-ledger reconciliations.

• A valid driver's licence may be required for occasional site visits.

Technical Skills

• Microsoft Excel – Intermediate (minimum): Pivot tables, Power Query, Power Pivot and advanced formulas.

• Microsoft Power BI – Intermediate (minimum): Dashboards, data modelling and DAX.

• Statistical Analysis and Data Modelling – Intermediate.

• ERP Systems – Working knowledge: Preferably SAP Business One (SAP B1).

• Financial and Commercial Reporting – Working knowledge: Trade spend and sales-to-ledger reconciliations.

Advantageous

• Microsoft Power BI certification.

• Experience within FMCG, retail, confectionery or food manufacturing.

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.

• Ability to interpret and communicate complex data clearly.

• Proactive, curious and improvement-focused.

• Strong organisational and time-management skills.

• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and reporting requirements.

• Professional and discreet when handling confidential information.

• Able to work independently and collaboratively across departments.

Profile

The ideal candidate is an analytically minded and detail-oriented Data Analyst with 2–3 years' experience in data analysis, business intelligence or financial reporting.

They will have practical Excel and Power BI skills, a sound understanding of FMCG trade spend and sales-to-ledger reconciliations, and the ability to deliver accurate reports within demanding deadlines. Experience in FMCG, retail or manufacturing would be advantageous, along with a proactive approach to problem-solving, reporting improvements and supporting business decisions.

We offer

Remuneration: R18,000 – R28,000 total cost to company (CTC) per month, depending on the successful candidate's qualifications, relevant experience and technical expertise.

Benefits include:

• Medical Aid Contribution,

• Provident Fund Contribution