Cost Controller - OPS at Anglo American

Job Description:
The purpose of the role is to manage the cost control function for the Commercial Demonstration hydrogen trucks, and supporting infrastructure, that will be piloted at the Mogalakwena mine in Limpopo. This will include:

• Developing an integrated cost control plan;
• Monitoring: schedule, progress and cost;
• Preparing monthly reports;
• Providing forecast and budget updates;
• Being the key representative on site for nuGen Finance and working closely with the nuGen Finance Manager and other nuGen leadership members in understanding key cost and finance issues/risks.

Key Responsibilities:

• A willingness to work independently and the insight to recognise key issues to highlight for line manager support
• The ability to work well as part of a larger team across different functions
• Experience of working on projects $10m +

Performance & Delivery – all in respect of the nuGen Mogalakwena site:

Cost Estimate

• Review of the site cost estimates (incl. comprehensive understanding of the basis of estimate for key items), cash-flow forecast and alignment with scope, WBS and schedule.

Cost control plan

• The development of an integrated cost control plan, using relevant Anglo policies and existing templates, incorporating all key stakeholders, with specific emphasis on integration with the Schedule.
• Ensuring alignment with other key elements of the project e.g. Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Commissioning, Project Economics, Estimating, Scheduling and Cost Accounting.
• Ongoing review of cost control responsibilities to ensure appropriate segregation of duties.

Monitor and control progress against cost and cash-flow

• Progress tracking and trending by application of Earned Value principles.
• Liaising frequently with the Scheduling team to understand any potential schedule conflicts, resource constraints, time constraints, etc.
• Early identification of significant variances, with analysis and interpretation of root cause(s).
• Identify need for formal change process where applicable and communicate this to relevant project manager.
• Responsible for preparing and maintaining cost reports, cost forecasts and change logs on a contract and project areas basis for areas of responsibility

Monthly reporting and forecasting

• Month-end procedures in SAP and other systems as required (e.g. Oracle Unifier), including accruals.
• Analyse key variances vs. budget and latest forecast.
• Highlight key business performance risks, issues and opportunities to management.
• Supply data analyses & insights for discussions with various functional disciplines.
• Ensure correct allocation of opex and capex expenditure in ERP and project control software.
• Prepare updated monthly forecasts.
• Be the key interface between site and nuGen Financial Manager.
• Monthly reconciliation of project spend/capex in SAP to balance in project control software.    

Planning and budgeting

• Contribute to the corporate planning/Budgeting process by providing the site level forecasting and budgeting for nuGen.
• Support the management of project budgets and approval of changes to the project budgets for area of responsibility

Capitalisation of fixed assets

• Liaise with Anglo American Group and T&S Finance regarding capitalisation of fixed assets, including correct capitalisaton of AUC (assets under construction).

On-site finance subject matter expert:

• Act as the key subject matter expert pertaining to project accounting and transactional requirements for relevant finance systems, such as SAP/Oracle, for the site project team.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in Financial Accounting / Quantity Surveying/BCom/BTech or other relevant engineering or business degree.
• Working experience as a cost controller in mining or oil & gas or energy or technology development or infrastructure projects.
• Having worked as cost controller on at least one project for at least 12 months with total project value of $10m.
•  A CIMA or Chartered Accountant (South Africa) or similar institute qualification, or evidence of or working towards such a qualification, would be advantageous.

Technical Knowledge:

• Working experience in SAP PM or similar ERP project management module.
• Experience in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel. Proficiency in Excel must include ability to work with data tables and pivot tables; and generate charts in both Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience in relevant project cost control software, e.g. Oracle, Ecosys, Cobra etc.
• Sound understanding of project management in relation to cost, dependencies and critical paths
• Demonstrated knowledge of the principles of compiling financial costing models and implementing cost controls
• Experience with transactional administration and project accounting on major mining or oil & gas or infrastructure or technology projects, especially in SAP PM    
• Experience in building cloud-based reporting dashboards (e.g. Microsoft BI)
• Experience in SAP BW and/or SAP BI
• Processing and controlling costs in SAP PM (or similar ERP environment)
• Processing and controlling costs in relevant project control software (e.g. Oracle, Ecosys, Cobra)
• Running a month-end close process in SAP PM (or similar ERP environment)
• Applies data analytical tools and techniques to create accurate management reports for decision-making
• Team Leader - Fosters a climate that is inclusive and where team members feel safe to contribute, collaborate, receive feedback and coaching
• Establishes and nurtures relationships with stakeholders, by use of effective listening and questioning to better understand the other person or group

Closing Date: 13th, April 2022