Job Details

About Kitu Kali

Kitu Kali is a leading Kenyan lifestyle fashion brand blending African print with modern apparel and footwear. Over the past few years, we have evolved from a footwear-focused business into a full-scale retail fashion brand with multiple stores and a growing regional footprint. As we continue to scale across Kenya and East Africa, we are looking for a commercially driven Head of Finance with strong retail experience to build a world-class finance function.

Role Overview

The Head of Finance will be a key strategic partner to the CEO, responsible for driving financial performance, improving operational efficiency, and supporting expansion. This is not a purely reporting role — we are looking for someone who understands retail economics, inventory dynamics, and store-level profitability.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Strategy & Leadership

Lead financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting across retail stores, e-commerce, and wholesale channels
Provide strategic insights to support expansion into new locations (e.g. Zanzibar, lodges, regional markets)
Partner with the CEO on capital allocation, pricing strategy, and margin optimization
2. Retail & Store Performance Management (CORE FOCUS)

Build and monitor store-level P&Ls across all locations
Analyze key retail metrics:
Sales per square foot
Conversion rates
Average transaction value (ATV)
Gross margins by product category
Identify underperforming stores/products and drive corrective action
Support commercial decisions such as store openings, closures, and renegotiations
3. Inventory & Working Capital Management (CRITICAL)

Drive improvements in inventory planning, purchasing, and stock allocation
Monitor and optimize:
Inventory turnover
Weeks/months of cover
Dead stock and markdown strategy
Work closely with operations and design teams to improve buying decisions and reduce overstocking
Implement systems and dashboards for real-time inventory visibility
4. Financial Controls & Reporting

Oversee monthly management accounts, cash flow reporting, and financial statements
Ensure strong financial controls across retail operations (cash handling, stock losses, shrinkage)
Manage audit processes and ensure compliance with local regulations
Maintain accurate and timely reporting for board and investors
5. Systems & Process Improvement

Improve finance systems, POS integrations, and reporting dashboards
Lead implementation of tools for:
Inventory tracking
Store performance analytics
Budgeting and forecasting
Drive automation and process efficiency across finance and operations
6. Team Leadership

Build and lead a high-performing finance team across accounting, reporting, and controls
Work cross-functionally with retail, operations, and design teams
Candidate Profile
Must-Have Experience

7–12+ years of experience in finance
Strong experience in retail, fashion, FMCG, or multi-branch consumer businesses
Proven track record managing inventory-heavy businesses
Experience building store-level financial analysis and reporting
Strong commercial mindset (not just accounting)
Key Skills

Deep understanding of retail unit economics
Strong grasp of inventory management and working capital optimization
Advanced financial modelling and forecasting
Data-driven decision making
Experience with ERP/POS systems
Preferred

Experience in a high-growth or entrepreneurial environment
Experience expanding into multiple locations or countries
Professional qualification (CPA, ACCA, CFA or equivalent)

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