Cost Controller

Staff Solutions; Komani; On-site; ZAR 360 000 - 480 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm in South Africa is seeking a Cost Accountant to prepare accurate cost and expense reports while analyzing production performance. The ideal candidate will have 3–5 years of experience in cost or management accounting, preferably within the FMCG or manufacturing sector. Strong Excel skills and familiarity with ERP systems are essential for this role. This position offers the opportunity to work closely with operational teams and improve financial insights.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years’ experience in cost accounting or management accounting within FMCG or manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of standard costing, BOMs, and manufacturing cost structures.
• Comfortable engaging with operational teams.

Responsibilities

• Prepare cost and expense reports for management.
• Analyse production performance and highlight key trends.
• Monitor and report daily gross profit across product categories.

Skills

Advanced Excel skills

Excellent analytical ability

Attention to detail

Education

Diploma / Degree in Cost & Management Accounting, Finance, or related field

Grade 12

Tools

SAP

Sage

Syspro

Job description

Job Responsibilities :

Reporting & Financial Insight :

• Prepare accurate cost and expense reports for management.
• Analyse production performance and highlight key trends and variances.
• Monitor and report daily gross profit and margin performance across product categories.
• Conduct product profit margin analysis, including variable and fixed cost structures.
• Issue daily operational and financial reports to internal stakeholders.

Cost Control, Standard Costing & Process Improvement :

• Maintain and update product costing, including materials, labour, and overhead allocations.
• Monitor and track BOM accuracy, standard costing, and actual vs standard cost performance.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction and process improvement across operations.
• Work with procurement, supply chain, and production teams to ensure all costs are accurately captured.
• Analyse cost movements, material prices, and consumption trends.
• Support the development and maintenance of cost forecasts.
• Allocate variable and fixed costs to correct cost centers.

Stock Administration, Inventory & Reconciliation

• Capture daily production transactions and ensure cost data is accurate and up to date.
• Participate in annual physical inventory counts and provide variance analysis.
• Perform monthly inventory and cost of sales reconciliations.
• Investigate unusual fluctuations in stock or cost balances.

Job Requirements :

• Grade 12
• Diploma / Degree in Cost & Management Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 3–5 years’ experience in cost accounting or management accounting within FMCG or manufacturing(dairy experience beneficial).
• Strong understanding of standard costing, BOMs, and manufacturing cost structures.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Sage, Syspro, or similar).
• Excellent analytical ability, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Comfortable engaging with operational teams and interpreting financial data for non-financial stakeholders.
• Ability to manage deadlines in a fast-moving production environment.