Financial Manager

SUMMARY:
A leading high-volume manufacturing business in the East Rand is seeking a commercially driven Financial Manager to take ownership of management accounting, costing, and financial performance. This is an ideal opportunity for a technically strong and hands-on finance professional with a passion for standard costing, variance analysis, and operational decision support within a fast-paced industrial environment.

POSITION INFO:
Our client, a well-established manufacturing group based in Gauteng, is looking to appoint an experienced Financial Manager to join their finance leadership team. Reporting directly to the CFO, this role will play a critical part in driving profitability through cost management, accurate product costing, and strategic financial insights.
The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing management reporting, forecasting, budgeting, inventory control, and financial compliance while partnering closely with operations, supply chain, and sales. This is a highly operational role requiring strong leadership skills and the ability to translate financial data into actionable business intelligence.
If you are a qualified CIMA professional with solid manufacturing exposure and strong costing expertise, this role offers the opportunity to make a measurable impact in a performance-driven environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own and maintain the full standard costing system, including Bill of Materials (BOM) accuracy.
• Conduct monthly manufacturing variance analysis and provide actionable reporting to leadership.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives by identifying inefficiencies across materials, labour, and overheads.
• Manage RFQ costing and support pricing decisions to ensure profitability and target margins.
• Prepare and review consolidated monthly management accounts with detailed commentary.
• Lead budgeting and forecasting processes in collaboration with operational stakeholders.
• Oversee inventory accounting (raw materials, WIP, finished goods) and ensure IFRS-compliant valuation.
• Strengthen internal controls across the finance function and support audit processes.
• Support tax compliance processes including VAT, Income Tax, and payroll-related submissions.
• Act as finance lead for ERP processes, ensuring system integrity and continuous improvement.
• Manage, mentor, and develop the finance team to ensure accurate and timely delivery.

• CIMA qualification (ACMA/CGMA) – essential
• BCom Accounting / Management Accounting / Financial Management
• Postgraduate qualification advantageous

• 5–10 years post-qualification finance experience
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in a manufacturing / industrial environment (essential)
• Strong exposure to standard costing, BOM management, and variance analysis (essential)
• Team management experience
• Exposure to group reporting and consolidation advantageous

• Strong standard costing and activity-based costing expertise
• Advanced Excel skills (modelling, pivot tables, dashboards)
• ERP system experience (Sage Evolution highly advantageous)
• Strong understanding of IFRS and tax compliance
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management ability
• Commercially minded with a hands-on, operational approach
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines