Finance Manager

An opportunity has become available for a Factory Finance Manager to join our Snackworks Isando Biscuits team. This role requires a commercially astute and hands-on leader who can effectively challenge and influence technical and operational teams, develop a deep understanding of the business, and act as a strategic partner to the Operations Executive and Site Leadership Team. The successful candidate will play a key role in driving financial performance, operational excellence, productivity initiatives, and long-term business growth.

Duties and responsibilities:

Financial Controls

• Manage and monitor company accounting procedures and policies, and internal controls, according to internal standards.
• Implement and communicate Corporate Governance charter / sound accounting practices to management on site.
• Consolidate budgets, plans and forecasts for site with adherence to strict deadlines.
• Proactively manage expenditure in relation to approved budgets.
• Analyse and report to local management and head office all operational variances from budget on expenditure items.
• Monthly maintenance of general ledger and authorise timeous adjustments wherever necessary.
• Address any queries with accounts payable on request.
• Ensure month end procedures are adhered to according to predetermined deadlines.
• Working capital management and reporting.
• Review of IT authorisation / access controls and release strategies.
• Assist with completion of annual insurance declaration.

Financial Reporting

• Prepare monthly management accounts required by management.
• Report on Income Statement variances and provide necessary commentary.
• Review General Ledger transactions and report on budget vs. actual.
• Report on irregular variances that have been investigated.
• Report on site performance measurements.
• Ad hoc project work.

Business Partnering, Site Leadership and Continuous Improvement

• Act as a key member of the Site Leadership team, contributing to the development and execution of the site’s strategic objectives
• Partner closely with the Operations Executive to drive operational excellence, cost optimisation, productivity improvements, and sustainable business growth.
• Identify, evaluate, initiate and support continuous improvement and productivity enhancement initiatives across all functional areas of the business.
• Provide financial, commercial and analytical support to Heads of Department, enabling informed decision-making and improved operational performance.
• Challenge, support and influence departmental leaders through the use of financial and operational insights to drive accountability and business results.
• Facilitate and support site performance reviews, ensuring alignment between operational activities, financial targets and strategic priorities
• Lead and support cross-functional projects aimed at improving efficiency, reducing waste, enhancing profitability and delivering operational excellence.
• Develop business cases, investment evaluations and improvement proposals to support strategic decision-making and value creation.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, performance management and fact-based decision-making throughout the site.
• Build strong relationships across all functions to ensure effective collaboration, communication and execution of site priorities.

Asset Management

• Monthly maintenance, verification and reporting on fixed asset register.
• Prepare, submit and track Capex workflows for the acquisition, transfer or disposal of fixed assets.
• Conduct regular audits on fixed assets to ensure accuracy of fixed assets register.

Capital Expenditure

• Assist with compilation of the annual Capital Budget.
• Oversee the authorisation and financial aspects of the acquisition of fixed assets.
• Account for any over expenditure on acquisitions.
• Process workflows for the updating of fixed assets register.
• Preparation, assistance and review of EVA (Economic Value Added) Capital Expenditure Proposals.
• Post Capex Evaluations.

Audits

• Handle internal & external audits.
• Recommend and implement corrective action.

Activity-based and Product Costing

• Review accuracy of the bill of material on SAP.
• Ensure all BOM’s are current.
• Financial integrity of the bill of material.
• Maintain & update monthly standard cost sets.
• Generate budget and forecast cost sets.
• Generate ABC models on SAP for budgets & forecasts.
• Active participation in NPD forums,
• Formulate SCE’s in full based on NPD requirements

People / Quality Management

• Recruit and retain appropriate quality staff.
• Create an environment which is conducive to learning and development (on-the-job learning)
• Manage performance feedback process in accordance with set goals.
• Create a team culture of commitment and delivery against predetermined objectives, values and business requirements.
• Create and maintain a culture of accountability and responsibility.
• Participate in maintaining the QMS programme (ISO9001, HACCP, Environmental management)

Knowledge:

• Experience in costing and administration, financial management and accounting in a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent understanding of standard costing principles.
• Advanced computer literacy and knowledge of MSWord, Excel, PowerPoint and an integrated accounting system.
• SAP experience not negotiable.
• Project management experience.
• A good understanding of the ABC costing methodology.

Competencies:

• Highly effective communicator with proven ability to influence and collaborate with stakeholders across all levels of the organisation, including factory employees, senior management, and executive directors.
• Systematic, precise and positive approach to performing duties;
• Strong analytical, investigative and reporting skills;
• Able to engage robustly and constructively on issues;
• Able to deal with large volumes of work under pressure;
• Proactive and has the ability to take initiative;
• Honest, trustworthy and reliable;
• Able to work in both detailed and conceptual modes;
• Able to quickly assimilate new information and understand business issues.

Qualifications:

• Completed relevant qualification Cost & Management Accounting, Financial Accounting or similar

Experience:

• 6-8 years Accounting or Financial Management experience gained within a FMCG or Manufacturing environment.
• 2-3 years business partnering and site financial leadership gained within a FMCG or Manufacturing environment.