Management and Cost Accountant

About the position

We are seeking an experienced Cost and Management Accountant to join a leading manufacturing team, preferably within the food processing industry. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing product costing, analysing financial performance, and driving cost efficiency through accurate reporting and insightful analysis. This position requires strong technical accounting knowledge, a proactive mindset, and the ability to collaborate effectively across finance, production, and supply chain teams.
Experience with ERP systems (Syspro/Translution essential)

Cost and Management Accountant

Key Responsibilities

• Product Costing and Analysis

• Maintain and continuously improve product costing models for all product lines.

• Ensure accurate allocation of raw material, packaging, and overhead costs across product SKUs.
• Collaborate with production, supply chain, and procurement teams to validate standard and actual costs.
• Evaluate utilisation variances, rejects, and process losses to assess their impact on product profitability.

• Analyse wastage and record production variances to ensure cost accuracy and transparency.

• Management Reporting

• Prepare weekly variance reports with commentary on cost movements, factory efficiency, and trends.

• Track and report cost per unit (case/kg) by production line, identifying deviations and improvement areas.
• Support senior management in preparing financial reports, board packs, and budget presentations.
• Contribute to budgeting and forecasting, including scenario modelling for pricing and new product launches.

• Monitor factory performance against key performance indicators and assist in developing efficiency metrics.

• Operational Support

• Partner with factory management to monitor utilisation, throughput, waste, and labour efficiency.

• Participate in weekly cost review meetings to identify process inefficiencies.
• Ensure accurate recording and classification of production-related expenses.

• Provide input into costing decisions, capacity planning, and capital investment justifications.

• Inventory and Standard Cost Control

• Oversee monthly inventory valuation and reconciliation with accurate cut-off and provisioning.

• Maintain standard costs within the ERP system, ensuring regular updates based on material and packaging cost changes.
• Review and authorise cost adjustments in coordination with Finance and Production teams.
• Compile daily margin analyses to ensure pricing stability and margin adherence.

• Provide daily exception reporting to Sales and Production teams.

• Labour and Overhead Costing

• Maintain and improve labour and overhead costing processes.

• Report monthly on over- and under-recoveries, identifying areas for improved productivity.

• Implement overhead allocation models, including departmental and product-level breakdowns.

• Continuous Improvement

• Promote cost transparency and awareness throughout the organisation.

• Identify and implement process improvements to streamline reporting and data collection.
• Develop and mentor finance team members to enhance skill and performance levels.

Qualifications and Experience

• BCom (Accounting / Management Accounting) or equivalent qualification.
• CIMA qualification advantageous.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in a manufacturing or FMCG environment, preferably food processing.
• Strong knowledge of standard costing, variance analysis, and factory performance management.
• ERP system experience (Syspro or similar essential).
• Advanced Excel skills with strong analytical ability.

Key Attributes

• Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset.
• Commercially astute with a clear understanding of manufacturing operations.
• Detail-oriented while maintaining a strategic perspective.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage at all organisational levels.
• Passionate about efficiency, accuracy, and measurable performance improvement.

Desired Skills:

• Product Costing and Analysis
• Management Reporting
• Operational Support
• Inventory and Standard Cost Control
• Labour and Overhead Costing

Desired Work Experience:

• 5 to 10 years

Desired Qualification Level & Accreditations:

• Degree
• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants