Finance & Admin Associate
Genomines
Accounting & Finance
Johannesburg, South Africa
Posted on Sep 17, 2025
COMPANY DESCRIPTION
At Genomines, our mission is to pioneer a new era of sustainable metal production by farming plants that hyperaccumulate metal. Through synthetic biology and cutting-edge technology, we harness the power of nature to create plants that can farm for metals while decontaminating soils and creating cleaner lands for agriculture. Our ultimate goal is to become the world's first carbon-negative nickel producer, using sustainable, eco-friendly methods to extract the valuable resources our society needs for the energy transition.
Yellow Flower Agriculture (Pty) Ltd. (YFA), Genomines’ South African subsidiary, is responsible for launching Genomines’ first production fields (currently in Mpumalanga), advancing agronomic knowledge of our plants and overseeing local operations. YFA is led by the group Head of Operations, a former CEO in the mining industry with 15+ years of experience.
ROLE OVERVIEW
Genomines is seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Finance Assistant to join our South African subsidiary Yellow Flower Agriculture in our Johannesburg office. The Finance Assistant will support with day-to-day financial operations, administrative processes, and cross-border compliance tasks. The ideal profile has strong financial acumen, excellent multitasking ability, is highly organized, and comfortable working in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment. The role will report directly to the group Head of Finance, an executive with 15+ years of experience in investment banking, project finance, and M&A in the metals and mining and renewables industries.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- FINANCIAL OPERATIONS AND BACK OFFICE
- Administer expense claims, ensuring expenditures are properly authorized
- Process payments, bank transfers, and invoicing through e-billing platforms
- Automate recurring payments and maintain relationships with suppliers
- Perform reconciliations between payments, invoices, and accounting records
- Manage accounts receivable and accounts payable
- Work with IT tools and processes to drive automation and efficiency
- TAX, LEGAL & ESG ADMINISTRATION
- Coordinate with legal and administrative stakeholders regarding financial and accounting compliance for Genomines’ subsidiaries in France and South Africa
- Support ESG-related compliance and reporting requirements (e.g., Ecovadis submissions)
- CONTROLLING & REPORTING
- Prepare monthly budget vs. actual reports
- Collaborate with department leads to consolidate financial plans and forecasts
- Design and implement internal controls, approval workflows, and compliance processes
- Provide ad hoc analysis and reporting to support management decision-making
- CASH AND ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT
- Monitor cash flow and ensure timely processing of payments
- Coordinate with banks and financial institutions for account openings/closures, KYC updates, and reporting
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- Minimum 6 years of experience in finance, accounting, or administrative roles
- Strong background in financial operations, reporting, and administrative management
- Experience in IT tools/software or demonstrated ability to quickly learn new systems
- Solid knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Workspace tools
- Professional fluency in English and French required (written and spoken)
TECHNICAL AND OPERATIONAL COMPETENCIES
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills
- Strong reporting skills and attention to detail
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
SOFT SKILLS
- Proactive and self-driven, with excellent time management
- High level of integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism
- Adaptable to shifting priorities and capable of handling multiple deadlines
- Cross-cultural sensitivity and ability to collaborate across diverse teams
POSITION INFORMATION
- Place of Work: Johannesburg office, 5 days/week
- Travel: Occasional travel to France may be required