Lead Cost Accountant: Snacks & Treats - Durban at Tiger Brands

JOB DESCRIPTION

• You will be responsible for the reporting of, but not limited to, product cost, mix, volume, material and conversion variances. This will include analysis of labour efficiency, yields, waste, factory OEE’s, cost drivers (allocation rules) and cost control. You be expected to summarize key findings and draw management’s attention and support for action. You will be responsible for the inventory, fixed assets and related balance sheets accounts for your unit(s), the reconciliation thereof. Your support will be required to ensure that internal controls, capital and operating expenses are properly governed and compliant with company policies and protocols. You will be required to provide review and oversight of the cost accountants with your cluster.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Set, upload and monitor standard costs (using a fully absorbed, activity based model) with the assistance of procurement and operations. This includes new product costings, and amendments to existing standards.
• Accurate and timeous loading of new and amended bill of materials
• Report weekly (WPE) on factory performance for the current month
• Review and follow up on open orders, long outstanding orders.
• Perform month-end accruals, cut-off transactions, reallocations and validation of accounts for the period close on a monthly basis.
• Pro-actively manage variances on a daily basis with the cost analyst, escalating to site management for action, in order to minimize losses
• Perform monthly reporting and validation of material variances, under and over recoveries and continuous improvement projects
• Report on and assist department heads with cost control, budgeting and forecasting (Perform revisions or simulations as needed)
• Ensure full transparency of costs and financial impact to the organization of major or strategic decisions relating to the factory or cluster of responsibility
• Ensure that capital and operating expenditure and other scenario based calculations are properly investigated, detailed and yield the expected returns.
• Ensure that internal controls at the unit are adequate, regularly monitored, compliant with standard operating procedures and to assist with preparation and support during audits and self assessments.
• Seek for and support cost improvement opportunities, be an active contributor to improvement projects and initiatives, validate and review proposed savings.
• Reconcile and validate inventory, fixed assets and related balance sheet accounts.
• Attend stock takes and ensure adherence to standard operating procedures including assisting with the authorization of  inventory write-off
• Provide ongoing guidance and support to cost analyst including the review and timeous delivery of outputs.

QUALIFICATIONS

Key attributes and competencies

• Conceptual, analytical thinking and creative in problem solving
• Strong communication skills and be able to liaise with a variety of non-financial functions
• Strong initiative and confident to handle complexity, work under pressure and manage short lead-time deliveries
• Intermediate to advanced excel skills
• Strong experiences in shop floor process controlling and be able to identify the problems timely by reviewing the daily operation’s figures
• Experienced in budgeting procedures, financial reporting and analysis, cost analysis and standard costing, capital application processing

Experience

• Function – Preference will be given to CIMA and CA(SA) qualifications. Post graduate degree/diploma in finance, costing, administration or related fields.
• Industry – Minimum of  5 years experience in a FMCG manufacturing facility in a similar role, exceptions will  be considered. Oracle experience preferred