About the position
A growing food and beverage manufacturing company with an established retail footprint across South Africa is seeking a commercially minded and hands-on Financial Manager to join its team in Riebeeksrivier Malmesbury.
This role requires someone who is equally comfortable working in the operational detail of the business and contributing at a strategic level. The successful candidate will take ownership of cost accounting, financial analysis, product costing, financial modelling, planning and commercial support, while working closely with the MD, GM and operational teams.
Responsibilities:
Financial Management & Cost Accounting
- Lead the company's cost accounting function, with a detailed understanding of manufacturing processes and cost structures.
- Analyse production costs, margins, variances and operational performance.
- Ensure accurate and reliable financial information to support management decision-making.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities and areas for improved profitability.
- Maintain strong financial controls and reporting processes.
Product Costing & Commercial Support
- Partner with Product Development and Operations to prepare detailed product costings.
- Support pricing strategies to ensure products remain commercially viable and profitable.
- Analyse product and customer profitability.
- Provide financial input and support during commercial negotiations with major retail customers.
- Evaluate the financial impact of new products, pricing changes and business opportunities.
Financial Planning & Strategic Support
- Develop and maintain financial models to support growth, forecasting and profitability.
- Assist with budgeting, forecasting and cash flow planning.
- Translate complex financial and operational data into clear, actionable business insights.
- Support the Managing Director and General Manager with financial planning and strategic initiatives.
- Provide recommendations to improve financial and operational performance.
Requirements:
- Relevant qualification in Accounting, Finance, Management Accounting or a related field.
- Proven financial management experience within a manufacturing or FMCG environment.
- Strong expertise in cost accounting and manufacturing/process costing.
- Experience with product costing, pricing and margin analysis.
- Strong financial modelling and analytical capabilities.
- Commercial acumen, ideally with exposure to retail customers and commercial negotiations.
- Ability to interpret complex financial and operational data and translate it into practical recommendations.
- Strong systems and Excel capabilities.
Key Attributes:
- Hands-on and operationally involved - willing to work in the detail rather than only managing from a high level.
- Commercially minded with a strong understanding of how financial decisions impact the wider business.
- Analytical, accurate and highly detail-oriented.
- Proactive and comfortable taking ownership.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
- Collaborative and able to work effectively across Finance, Production, Product Development and Management.
- Comfortable operating in a growing, fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Able to balance day-to-day financial requirements with longer-term strategic thinking.
Desired Skills:
- FMCG
- Accounting
- Finance
- Management
- Operations
- Excel
- Cost Accounting
- Cash flow planning
