Cost and Management Accountant

KWV; Paarl; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

KWV in Paarl is seeking an experienced Costing Specialist to manage product costing, inventory valuation and margin visibility across Operations. You will partner with Finance and Operations to ensure accurate costing data and drive cost optimisation.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in costing within manufacturing, strong SAP costing experience and advanced Excel skills to deliver reliable financial insight for budgeting, forecasting and decision-making.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in Cost Accounting or Management Accounting.
• CIMA/CGMA qualification or progress towards such qualification advantageous.
• Minimum 7 years costing/financial management experience in manufacturing.
• SAP costing, inventory valuation and standard costing experience essential.
• Strong Excel skills and financial analysis ability.

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain accurate product costing information and master data.
• Present COGS analysis and costing drivers to senior management during budgets and forecasts.
• Analyse product profitability and advise on margin improvements.
• Conduct annual revaluation of spirits products after excise increases.
• Maintain BOMs, routings and review loss percentages.
• Lead cost reporting, budgeting, forecasting and automation initiatives.
• Monitor cost drivers and identify opportunities for cost efficiency.
• Provide costing insights to Operations, Sales, Marketing and NPD.

Skills

Cost accounting

Management accounting

CIMA/CGMA progress

SAP costing

Excel proficient

Financial analysis

Inventory costing

Education

Cost Accounting / Management Accounting degree

CIMA/CGMA qualification (in progress)

Tools

SAP

Excel

Job description

Reporting to: Finance Manager - Operations

Division: Operations

Location: Paarl Operations

Purpose:

The appointed individual will be responsible for analysing, managing and reporting on product costing, margins and other cost-related business information. The role must provide accurate and timely costing information to support sound business decisions and ensure actual costs are appropriately reflected in financial reporting.

The role requires a strong understanding of manufacturing processes, product cost drivers and standard costing principles. The focus is on financial accuracy, continuous improvement, cost optimisation and providing costing and financial support to Operations, Sales and Marketing and New Product Development.

This role is central to maintaining accurate product costing, inventory valuation and margin visibility across Operations. The successful candidate will combine technical costing expertise with practical manufacturing insight to support reliable financial reporting, better forecasting and informed commercial decision-making.

• Tertiary qualification in Cost Accounting, Management Accounting or a related field. CIMA / CGMA qualification or progress towards such qualification would be advantageous.
• Minimum of 7 years experience in costing and financial management within a manufacturing environment.
• FMCG experience would be advantageous.
• Sound knowledge and practical experience of Standard Costing within a manufacturing environment.
• SAP experience with product costing, inventory valuation and standard costing is essential.
• Excellent computer skills, specifically advanced Excel.
• Knowledge and experience of Customs & Excise, particularly within the wine and spirits industry, would be advantageous.
• Strong understanding of inventory costing, cost drivers and financial analysis.
• Ability to analyse complex costing information and translate it into meaningful business insights.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen.

Key Responsibilities:

Costing:

• Manage and maintain accurate product costing information and master data.
• Present cost of goods sold analysis and key costing drivers to senior management during budget and forecast cycles.
• Analyse product profitability and provide recommendations to improve margins and cost efficiency.
• Conduct annual revaluation of spirits products following excise increases.
• Ensure product replacement values are calculated and maintained on an ongoing basis.
• Calculate activity prices.
• Develop, maintain and continuously review accurate cost of goods sold calculations.
• Support management and business users in understanding complex product costings and making sound business decisions.
• Monitor cost drivers, manufacturing processes and cost constraints to identify opportunities for improved cost efficiency.
• Ensure costing information reflects current business and manufacturing conditions accurately.
• Maintain accurate BOMs and routings and ensure that loss percentages are continuously reviewed.

Team Management:

• Manage and support one direct report to deliver agreed objectives, KPAs and business priorities.
• Provide clear direction, regular feedback and coaching to maintain accountability and performance.
• Identify development needs and encourage ownership, continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.

Budget & Forecasting:

• Regularly adapt and improve costing reports in line with changing business requirements.
• Streamline and improve the Budget and Forecast process relating to COGS.
• Provide brand- and region-specific costing information to support business planning.
• Standardise, optimise and automate systems and processes relating to costing.
• Provide accurate costing information to support financial planning and business decision-making.
• Identify and implement opportunities to automate, simplify and improve costing, forecasting and inventory reporting processes.

Inventory Management:

• Forecast short-term and long-term inventory levels to support cash-flow planning.
• Prepare a monthly inventory write-off report.
• Ensure inventory adjustments are accurately processed at year-end.
• Prepare an inventory analysis for the Audit Committee.
• Monitor and report on inventory movements, values and unit cost trends.

Excise:

• Conduct the annual excise calculation for pre-blend purposes.
• Ensure excise reconciliations and reviews are completed accurately and diligently.
• Ensure accurate costing implications arising from changes in excise and sugar tax are reflected in product costings.
• Monitor legislative changes relating to excise and sugar tax and assess the impact on costing.

Preference will be given to suitably qualified candidates from underrepresented groups aligned with our Employment Equity Plan.