Senior Cost Controller

Transnet SOC Ltd; oThongathi; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in infrastructure seeks a Senior Cost Controller to oversee cost functions and responsibilities across diverse projects. The role requires extensive experience in cost control and engineering, ensuring effective communication with project managers and stakeholders while adhering to best practices. The ideal candidate will have a relevant degree and strong knowledge of cost control tools, aiming to deliver value in all project phases.

Qualifications

• Minimum three-year tertiary qualification in relevant fields.
• At least 8 years of experience in multidisciplinary cost control.
• Driver’s license code 08.

Responsibilities

• Act as primary contact for project cost engineering services.
• Ensure best practices in cost control principles are adopted.
• Manage budget estimates and cost variances across projects.

Skills

Cost Control

Cost Engineering

Cash Flow Management

Risk Management

Procurement

Estimating

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Finance or Quantity Surveying or Construction

Tools

Cost Control Software

Job description

To assure and deliver all Cost Control functions and responsibilities across all projects in the designated region, in accordance with best practice standards, corporate governances, policies, processes, systems and controls implemented within Transnet Group and TPL, across the full project life cycle from inception through to completion.

The Senior Cost Controller will provide guidance to the cost controllers within the Project Management Office and on all projects to ensure that the team functions and delivers projects to the Project Managers, Portfolio Managers and the Project Directors, in line with expectations.

The Senior Cost Controller will act as the key interface with day-to-day client and key stakeholder interactions, ensuring that the sponsor and project objectives are achieved through the delivery of a value-added end-to-end cost engineering service on all projects.

The Senior Cost Controller will assist and partake in the continuous improvement of best practices and initiatives, as part of the Project Management Office.

Position Outputs

1. Provide primary point of contact to the Project Management Office for all matters relating to the full suite of cost engineering services including reporting in support of the work.
2. Produce, communicate, and roll out the strategic level cost control approach and objectives, including documentation of best practice cost control procedures that support the approach, as set out by the Project Management Office.
3. Ensure best practice cost control principles, systems and toolsets are adopted in support of the commissions based upon shared learning from other commissions and industries, and within the Cost Control team.
4. Promote the implementation of the cost control principles through support and training for the project management and operational community as required by each project.
5. Accountable for the audit, governance, and assurance of projects on behalf of the Project Management Office.
6. Support and implement any sponsor-specific process as identified by the Project Management Office, and Transnet Group.
7. Ensure that all work undertaken by the Cost Control Team is executed safely and meets or exceeds safety goals and policies and is in accordance with Transnet Governance.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Providing communication links to the respective Project Managers, Portfolio Managers and Project Directors, Group and TPL regarding all aspects of cost control.
• Providing central coordination and decision-making within the region and fostering a project support culture.
• Offering expert cost engineering services using approved software.
• Managing all aspects of cost control activities on projects, including budget estimates, procurement understanding, tender adjudications, cost variances, change control, and reporting.
• Preparing detailed man plans, resource-loaded schedules, and tracking progress against schedules.
• Reviewing reports from construction personnel or contractors, identifying variances, risks, and opportunities.
• Interacting regularly with clients and stakeholders to ensure professional service delivery.
• Complying with all project plans and continuously updating industry norms and practices.

Qualifications and Experience

The candidate must have:

• A minimum three-year tertiary qualification or relevant National Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Quantity Surveying, or Construction.
• At least 8 years of experience in Cost Control / Cost Engineering within a multidisciplinary and infrastructure project environment.
• Professional registration is advantageous but not mandatory.
• Driver’s license code 08.

Competencies

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Extensive knowledge of Cost Control throughout the project lifecycle.
• Experience in estimating, cost planning, and cash flow management.
• Proficiency with relevant cost control software.
• Strong understanding of construction industry norms, project management, risk management, scheduling, procurement, contracts, estimating, and engineering processes.
• Knowledge of NEC contracts and experience with rail, ports, or pipeline projects is a plus.