Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Guardian Recruiting; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in Cape Town seeks a Chief Financial Officer to lead their financial operations in a complex OEM manufacturing environment. The CFO will oversee all financial functions, ensuring compliance and driving operational excellence. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in plant-based finance, strong leadership skills, and a proven track record in financial performance improvement. This executive role requires a strategic partner to senior leadership and the ability to communicate effectively across departments.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years of financial experience with increasing responsibilities.
• CFO and/or Controller experience required.
• Fluent in English with exceptional communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial operations for the truck manufacturing facility.
• Oversee cost accounting and develop product cost models.
• Align financial strategy with the Chairman's vision.

Skills

Financial leadership

Plant-based finance

Executive communication

Financial controls implementation

Operational excellence

Education

BS in Business Administration, Accounting, or Finance

Advanced degree and CPA certification

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Leads the financial function of their production facility. This executive role oversees all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, inventory valuation, capital planning, and cost modelling within a complex OEM manufacturing environment.

Serving as a strategic partner to the CEO, Chairman, and senior leadership, the CFO plays a key role in optimizing product profitability, operational performance, and return on net assets (RONA). The position demands deep expertise in OEM manufacturing finance, a strong command of plant-level cost structures, and a steadfast commitment to operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

1. Lead all financial operations for the truck manufacturing facility, including standard costing, bill of materials valuation, inventory control, and capital expenditure tracking.
2. Oversee cost accounting, ensuring accurate valuation of raw materials, WIP, and finished goods in a high-mix, low-volume production environment.
3. Develop and maintain detailed product cost models in collaboration with operations and engineering teams.
4. Analyse manufacturing cost drivers, production variances, and throughput metrics to inform operational and strategic decision-making.
5. Provide financial analysis on new product introductions, process changes, and lean transformation initiatives.

Strategic & Executive Finance

1. Align financial strategy with the Chairman's long-term vision for the Group's global manufacturing operations.
2. Serve as a trusted business advisor, delivering financial insights to influence capital allocation, margin management, and growth strategies.
3. Champion a "no-surprises" culture of transparency, integrity, and proactive financial communication across departments.

Controls, Compliance & Team Leadership

1. Ensure compliance with corporate policies, internal controls, and U.S. regulatory requirements (e.g., GAAP, SOX, tax).
2. Lead and mentor a high-performing finance team, instilling operational discipline and continuous improvement practices.
3. Support external audits, tax planning, and regulatory filings.
4. Oversee systems improvements and digital finance tools to streamline reporting and analysis.

What You Bring

• Proven success as a financial leader in an OEM or complex manufacturing environment.
• Strong expertise in plant-based finance, including unit hour costing, capital planning, and ERP integration.
• Demonstrated ability to drive financial performance, improve RONA, and support operational excellence.
• Executive-level communication and business partnering skills across cross-functional teams.
• Track record of implementing financial controls, building high-performing teams, and leading organizational change.

Qualifications

• BS in Business Administration, Accounting, or Finance. Preference for candidates with an advanced degree and CPA certification.
• CFO and/or Controller experience.
• A minimum of 15 years of financial experience with increasing responsibilities within a corporate environment.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Excel and general digital fluency.
• Good general business savvy and exposure to a variety of businesses.
• Fluent in English, with exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, capable of engaging confidently across technical and executive audiences.
• Willingness to travel internationally and relocate to the USA, if required.
• South African citizenship.

Please note that by submitting your application, you agree that Guardian Recruiting may use your information for recruitment purposes and share it with relevant stakeholders. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear within two weeks, consider your application unsuccessful. All postings adhere to our Client's BEE requirements. Support documents should only be sent when requested.

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Chief Financial Officer • Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa