Strategic Finance Manager (Ca(Sa)

Hire Resolve; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Wabtec in Johannesburg is seeking a Senior Finance Manager to lead the finance function for a manufacturing operation within the rail sector. You will drive budgeting, forecasting, reporting, controllership, and compliance, partnering with the Site Director and leadership team.

The role focuses on cost management, working capital optimisation, and process improvement, delivering board-ready insights across the value chain. Requires accounting/finance degree with strong GAAP and FP&A experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance is required.
• Experience in FP&A, manufacturing finance, and controllership or statutory compliance.
• Strong GAAP knowledge with data-driven decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual budgeting, rolling forecasts, and pacing with stakeholders.
• Partner with sales, operations, and leadership to drive performance and delivery.
• Own monthly/quarterly close, reporting, and working capital management.
• Provide financial insight and risk mitigation while supporting board materials.

Skills

FP&A experience

Operational & manufacturing finance

Controllership experience

GAAP knowledge

Data-driven decision-making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

Tools

PowerPoint

Job description

Job Description
Who will you be working with?
Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value‑added services. Whether it’s freight rail, transit, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people - together - are accelerating the future of transportation.
Role: Senior Finance Manager
Location: Johannesburg
How will you make a difference?
As a Senior Finance Manager, you will oversee the entire finance function for a manufacturing operation within the rail sector. This includes budgeting, financial forecasting, operational finance, reporting, controllership, and statutory compliance. You will act as a key business partner to the Site Director and leadership team, driving execution, cost management, and working capital optimisation. A strong focus on process improvement and simplification will be essential.
What will your typical day look like?

• Financial leadership & planning: Lead annual budgeting, rolling forecasts, and pacing (orders, sales, costs, margins, cash), partnering closely with commercial, operational, and divisional stakeholders.
• Commercial & operational partnership: Support sales and tendering activities by evaluating deal economics and assumptions, while partnering with site leadership to drive operational execution and on‑time customer delivery across the end‑to‑end value chain.
• Risk, performance & insight: Provide financial insight, thought leadership, and visibility of risks and opportunities, ensuring actions and mitigations are clearly defined, tracked, and delivered.
• Reporting, governance & team leadership: Own monthly and quarterly close and reporting, supervise site finance operations, manage working capital and cash governance, and ensure compliance with corporate reporting and control requirements.
• Strategic enablement & stakeholder engagement: Drive simplification and efficiency initiatives, partner with regional and global support functions, and prepare Board materials while presenting business performance, risks, and opportunities.

What do we want to know about you?

• Education & experience: Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, with experience across FP&A, operational/manufacturing finance, and controllership or statutory compliance.
• Industrial & project finance expertise: Strong experience supporting industrial projects and programmes, including long‑term contract accounting, financial management, and reporting.
• Analytical & technical capability: Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills, with a solid understanding of GAAP and data‑driven decision‑making.
• Communication & presentation: Fluent in English with strong written and verbal communication skills, including advanced PowerPoint and stakeholder‑level presentation experience.

If you don't have all the above criteria don't worry, we would still like to hear from you as we live our values and always put people first, and strive to expand what is possible.
Additional Information
What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?
At Wabtec, it's not just about a job - it's about the impact you make. When our people come together, we're Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other.
If you're ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.
Who are we?
Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value‑added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together - are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike.
Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We're lifelong learners, obsessed with better. Learn more at powers us and the possibilities.
We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We're building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress.
We're proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more.
Need accommodation? Just let us know - we've got you.
Johannesburg, South Africa
Full time
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