Operations Finance Lead

Hershey; Johor Bahru; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading multinational company is seeking an Operations Finance Lead in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. This role involves overseeing financial operations and standard costing within a plant environment. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of manufacturing accounting experience and a strong understanding of variance analysis. Key responsibilities include managing financial forecasts and collaborating with production and supply chain teams to enhance cost management. This position requires effective communication skills in English and Bahasa, as well as proficiency in SAP or similar ERP systems.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years experience in manufacturing accounting with understanding of standard costing.
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.
• Knowledge of US GAAP and SOX.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage financial operations and standard costing of the plant.
• Provide guidance to improve operation performance.
• Manage manufacturing variances and ensure inventory accuracy.

Skills

Financial forecasting

Variance analysis

Cost management

Effective communication

Problem-solving

Education

Degree in Accountancy/Finance

ACCA, CIMA or CPA preferred

Tools

SAP

Equivalent ERP system

Job description

The Operations Finance Lead position is a key detailed oriented position within the plant operation. This position is a qualified accountant and acts as a key analyst for the plant. This position is responsible for overseeing and managing financial operations and standard costing of the plant. Responsibility will extend beyond general accounting duties to include operations financial forecast and overall plant business analysis. As a developmental role, this position usually directs the activities of other plant personnel in various capacities.

Major Duties/Responsibilities

• Acting as a business partner to the Business Unit Production Manager.
• Proactively and constructively providing guidance to improve operation performance and thus achieving cost competitiveness.
• Manage and control manufacturing variances incl. efficiency/waste/labor/material usage variances. Ensure inventories accuracy through cycle count.
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly plant’s operational and financial performance reporting.
• Ensure accurate standard costing being maintained.
• Capable in simulating product costing to support new innovation project via good BOM and production process understanding.
• Benchmark standard costing among manufacturing network to optimize COGS position.
• Oversee inventory valuation and ensure accurate reflection of inventory costs.
• Work closely with production, procurement, and supply chain finance teams to ensure alignment on cost management strategies.
• Prepare and analyze plant’s operational and financial performance on a monthly basis.
• Assist in preparing plant variance outlooks, lead annual standards cost review process, and assist in various facets of the plant budgeting process.
• Analysis and forecast of manufacturing variances & common cost on monthly basis.
• Ensure provision and accrual are recorded based on Accounting procedures and Policies.
• Carry out monthly SOX Controls procedures
• Track, validate and monitoring of Continuous Improvement / Cost savings projects.
• Miscellaneous Analysis: any ad hoc task as assigned by management.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Minimum Degree in Accountancy/Finance. ACCA, CIMA or CPA preferred.
• Minimum 10 years experience in manufacturing accounting (good understanding of standard costing and variance analysis).
• Preferably in multi-national manufacturing environment
• SAP or equivalent ERP system exposure is a must.
• Ability to work independently under fast pace environment with minimal supervision
• Team player and able to communicate effectively in both English and Bahasa
• Integrity and able to provide objective decision to improve P&L bottomline
• Good business sense, committed and responsible in meeting deadline
• Proactive and problem solving mindset
• Knowledge of US GAAP (Generally accepted accounting principles), SOX and financial policies/control