Operations Finance Lead

The Hershey Company; Pekan Nanas; On-site; MYR 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading multinational in the food sector is seeking an Operations Finance Lead in Johor, Malaysia. The role entails overseeing financial operations within the plant, managing standard costing, and improving operational performance. Candidates should possess at least a degree in Accountancy/Finance and a minimum of 10 years of experience in manufacturing accounting, preferably in a multi-national environment. Proficiency in SAP and excellent analytical skills in Microsoft Excel are required. The position requires fluency in both English and Bahasa.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years experience in manufacturing accounting.
• Good understanding of standard costing and variance analysis.
• Experience in a multi-national manufacturing environment is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act as a business partner to the production manager.
• Manage and control manufacturing variances.
• Prepare and analyze operational financial performance.

Skills

Accounting principles knowledge

Cost management

Analytical skills in Excel

Problem-solving mindset

Communication in English and Bahasa

Education

Degree in Accountancy/Finance

ACCA, CIMA or CPA preferred

Tools

SAP or equivalent ERP system

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Summary

Operations Finance Lead position is a key detailed oriented position within the plant operation. This position is usually held by 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 manufacuturing 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.
• Good Microsoft Excel analytic skills.