Finance Manager (Operating and Costing) at Robert Walters

• Our client is seeking a hands-on and commercially astute Financial Manager with strong operational and costing experience within a manufacturing or project-based environment. This role will take full ownership of the finance function, including management accounting, costing, payroll, and team leadership, while partnering closely with operations to drive business performance and efficiency. Key requirements: BCom Accounting (minimum requirement) Minimum 4+ years’ relevant experience Proven experience in a manufacturing or operational environment (ideally with jobbing, site installation, or project-based costing) Strong background in:Costing and pricing Must come from a manufacturing background Management accounting Payroll (wages and salaries) Experience managing and leading finance/admin teams Exposure to ERP systems (Sage 100 / Sage 200 preferred) Practical, hands-on approach with strong attention to detail

Key Responsibilities:
Financial Management & Reporting

• Oversee the full financial function, including accounting, reporting, and compliance
• Prepare and present monthly management accounts
• Ensure accurate bookkeeping and transaction capture within Sage
• Manage SARS submissions and tax calculations

Costing & Commercial Support

• Manage and maintain costing records and price lists
• Provide commercial insights to support pricing and strategic decisions
• Partner with operations to optimise stock management, dispatch, and efficiency

Payroll & Administration

• Oversee the payroll function, including wages and salaries (±60 wage staff and ±5–10 salaried staff)
• Supervise and support the wages clerk
• Manage and oversee admin staff, including:Debtors
• Creditors
• Bookkeeper
• Sales Administrator

Process Improvement & Systems

• Implement and enhance internal controls, systems, and processes
• Support the internalisation of outsourced functions (accounting and payroll)
• Assist with ERP migration from Sage 100 to Sage 200

Treasury & Debtors Management

• Manage the treasury function, including bank payments
• Engage proactively with debtors to resolve outstanding queries, including liaising directly with clients where required

Candidate Profile:

• Hands-on, accountable finance professional with end-to-end ownership experience
• Strong operational mindset with the ability to work closely with non-finance teams
• Commercially savvy, with sound business judgment
• Resilient and solutions-driven, able to operate in a demanding environment
• Confident communicator, capable of engaging directly with clients and internal stakeholders