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

THE JOB AT A GLANCE

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 and you will be responsible for managing the cost accountants in your cluster. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Set and monitor standard costs (using a fully absorbed, activity based model) with the assistance of Procurement and Operations. This includes costings for new product and amendments to existing costs.                                          
• Accurate and timeous loading of new and amended bill of materials                                          
• Report weekly (WPE) on the factories' performance for the current month and forecast performance for the month in question.                                          
• Review and follow up on open orders, long outstanding orders.                                          
• For month end reporting purposes, provide list of accruals, check adherence to cut-off transactions, prepare documentation to support adjusting journals and validate GL accounts.                                          
• Manage cost variances determined by cost analyst on a daily basis and ensure material items are escalated to site management for action.                                          
• On a monthly basis, report on material cost variances, over / under recoveries and 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 the financial impact of major decisions relating to the cluster of factories.                                          
• Critically evaluate investment or new operating proposals, and using sensitivity analysis, ensure they are capable of yielding expected returns. Perform follow up reviews on a periodic basis.                                          
• Ensure that internal controls at each unit are adequate, regularly monitored, compliant with standard operating procedures.  Assist and support audit processes and take responsibility for control self assessment program.  Ensure implementation of audit recommendations.                                          
• Explore opportunities for cost reduction initiatives and be an active contributor to all improvement projects and initiatives - review and validate proposed savings.  
• Assist FSSC by providing support for inventory and fixed assets balance sheet recons.                                           
• Take responsibility for the integrity of stock takes and ensure adherence to the standard operating procedures, including the authorization of inventory write-off.                                          
• Provide guidance and support to cost accountant and cost analysts who report to this position and ensure the integrity and timeous delivery, of their outputs.                                          

QUALIFICATIONS

WHAT YOU'LL BRING TO THE TABLE

Key attributes and competencies      

• Considerable experience in shop floor process control, together with the ability to identify problems timeously by reviewing daily operational figures.                                          
• Considerable experience in budgeting procedures, financial reporting and analysis, cost analysis and standard costing, and capex application proposals.                                          
• Be a hands-on leader, who is involved in the detail of the business.                                         
• Be self-motivated, confident to handle complexity, work under pressure and manage short lead-time deliveries.                                        
• Good communication and presentation skills and be able to liaise with various non-financial functions.                                          
• Conceptual, analytical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.                                          
• Intermediate to advanced Excel skills.                                           
• Effective leadership, managerial and people skills.                                          
• Be able to live and expound on the values of Tiger.                                         

Experience    

• Function: CIMA graduate (complete).                                   
• Industry: Minimum of 5-8 years' experience in a FMCG manufacturing facility in a similar role and minimum of 3-5 years' experience in a senior leadership role. 
• Experience with Oracle will be a distinct advantage.