Cost Accountant (Manufacturing)

Join our growing team as we drive excellence and innovation in sustainable manufacturing. We are seeking a skilled and analytical individual to support our finance and production operations through advanced cost accounting expertise within a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities – Cost Accounting in Manufacturing

• Prepare and review accurate cost estimates for production projects, materials, labour, and overhead in line with company and regulatory standards.
• Monitor and reconcile cost accounts, identify cost variances, and report on their causes, providing clear recommendations for improvement.
• Analyse manufacturing costs and processes, contributing technical suggestions to improve efficiency and profitability.
• Collaborate with the sales and production teams to inform pricing strategies and assist with quotations, utilising strong commercial awareness and selling skills.
• Coordinate with internal teams to support periodic inventory counts, process costing, and management reporting requirements.
• Ensure compliance with applicable standards, policies, and procedures for cost accounting within the manufacturing sector.

Technical Knowledge & Requirements – Manufacturing Cost Control

• CMA OR CPA qualification essential, with solid understanding of manufacturing cost structures, budgets, and financial systems.
• Experience in cost collection, allocation, analysis, and reporting in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to utilise ERP and cost management software to extract data and provide actionable insights.
• Up-to-date knowledge of industry regulations, best practices, and statutory compliance related to cost accounting and inventory control.

Essential Selling & Communication Skills for Cross-functional Collaboration

• Engage confidently with internal and external stakeholders, providing clear and persuasive cost analysis to assist with business development and client proposals.
• Communicate complex technical and financial information in a manner accessible to non-financial colleagues.
• Support the sales function with cost input for quotations, tenders, and contract negotiations, ensuring commercial accuracy and alignment with profit objectives.

Problem-Solving Abilities for Cost Efficiency

• Demonstrate a structured and solutions-oriented approach to investigating cost discrepancies and operational variances.
• Work proactively to identify and resolve inefficiencies, supporting ongoing process and operational improvements within the plant.

Candidate Traits – Analytical Mindset & Teamwork

• Exceptional analytical and numerical abilities, with acute attention to detail.
• Organised, self-motivated, and able to meet tight deadlines in a complex production environment.
• Collaborative and able to contribute positively to cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Qualifications & Experience – Cost Accountant in Manufacturing

• CMA qualification or CPA is mandatory.
• At least 2 years’ experience in a cost accounting or management accounting role within manufacturing (experience in water treatment or process industries will be advantageous).
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, and experience with ERP/costing systems (SAP, Oracle, or similar).
• Proven record of providing analytical support to operations, production, or sales teams.