Finance Manager at Staff Solutions

• Our client is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to oversee the full financial function of the business within a manufacturing, engineering, industrial or production environment. The successful candidate will be responsible for financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cost management, cash flow, statutory compliance and internal financial controls.
• This role requires a commercially minded finance professional who can provide strategic financial insights, improve operational efficiencies, manage financial risks and support business growth through sound financial planning and decision-making

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the full financial function, ensuring accurate financial records, reporting and effective financial controls.
• Prepare and review monthly management accounts, annual financial statements and supporting financial schedules.
• Analyse financial performance, identify trends and variances, and provide meaningful financial insights and recommendations to management.
• Lead the annual budgeting process, prepare rolling forecasts and monitor departmental budgets.
• Develop cash flow forecasts, manage working capital and ensure sufficient liquidity for operational requirements.
• Conduct financial modelling, scenario analysis and capital expenditure assessments to support business decisions.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing and product costing models, including direct labour, materials and overhead costs.
• Monitor standard costing, cost absorption, manufacturing efficiencies, scrap, waste and rework costs.
• Analyse profitability by product, project, customer and business unit, and support pricing strategies and quotation reviews.
• Oversee inventory accounting, stock valuation and work-in-progress (WIP) reporting.
• Monitor stock levels, investigate stock variances and identify slow-moving or obsolete inventory.
• Work closely with procurement and operations to improve inventory management, cost efficiencies and working capital performance.
• Monitor debtor collections, creditor payment cycles, banking facilities and payment runs.
• Manage VAT, PAYE, income tax and other statutory obligations, ensuring accurate and timeous submissions.
• Ensure compliance with applicable legislation, the Companies Act, IFRS for SMEs and relevant accounting standards.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and maintain effective financial governance and risk management practices.
• Liaise with external auditors, SARS, banks, insurers, suppliers and other relevant stakeholders.
• Review and approve journal entries, reconciliations and intercompany transactions, ensuring accurate financial reporting across entities.
• Lead, mentor and develop the finance team, including Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable.
• Establish performance objectives, conduct performance reviews and promote accountability and continuous improvement.
• Drive improvements in financial processes, systems, policies and procedures.
• Maintain accurate statutory and administrative records in accordance with applicable legal and retention requirements.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
• CA(SA), CIMA, SAIPA or an equivalent professional qualification will be advantageous.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency and good working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite.

Experience

• Minimum 7–10 years’ experience in a finance management role within a manufacturing, engineering, industrial or production environment.
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting, accounting principles and manufacturing cost accounting.
• Experience with ERP and financial management systems.
• Proven experience in budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management and working capital optimisation.
• Experience in inventory management, stock valuation, product costing and profitability analysis.
• Experience managing and developing finance teams.
• Experience liaising directly with external auditors and SARS.
• Sound knowledge of South African tax legislation, statutory requirements, the Companies Act and applicable IFRS standards.

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Commercial and strategic thinking.
• Strong leadership and people management abilities.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Sound financial judgement and decision-making.
• Strong planning, organisational and time-management skills.
• Accountability, initiative and self-motivation.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet statutory deadlines.
• A continuous improvement mindset with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving financial and operational challenges.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and keeping up to date with changes in financial, tax and governance legislation.