MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Production Accountant is the financial performance owner of the manufacturing plant. This role drives real-time production financial accuracy, cost and yield insights, and continuous improvement across the full value chain. It leverages digital tools, automation, and analytics to uplift the financial literacy and performance of operational teams, enabling improved EBITDA, ROIC, and Free Cash Flow delivery.

The role shifts away from manual transactional capturing toward strategic ownership of plant performance, efficiency tracking, and data-driven insight generation.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Academic Qualifications

• Grade 12 or equivalent
• Degree in Cost and Management Accounting (manufacturing environment)
• CIMA Graduate, newly qualified CA or equivalent (advantageous)

Work Experience

• 5+ years of advanced experience in manufacturing cost and management accounting 
• 2+ Years Experience in the manufacturing industry 
• 2+ Years Strong SAP PP/MM/CO knowledge and integration awareness 
• 2+ Years of advanced Excel, analytical and dashboard software experience 
• 2+ Years Strong costing and variance analysis background 
• Completed articles (advantageous)

Knowledge and Skills

• Sound understanding of internal controls
• Sound understanding of cost and management accounting principles
• Sound understanding of IFRS and relevant accounting standards
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Business and Financial Acumen

• Good interpersonal skills
• Basic understanding of lean and continuous improvement principles
• Understanding and application of VAT principles
• Ability to build dashboards and data models
• Experience in automation of reporting and validations
• Ability to diagnose data issues and design smart controls

Behavioral Attributes

• Strong problem-solving mindset
• Proactive and critical thinker
• Resilient and adaptable under pressure
• Ability to work independently and within a team
• High ethical standards and confidentiality
• Effective communicator across departments
• Detail and results orientated
• Strong analytical and critical thinking ability
• Strong stakeholder management skills
• Continuous improvement mindset

Professional Status

• CIMA accreditation (advantageous)
• CIMA membership (advantageous)

Technical and Behavioral Competencies

• Driver’s license (Code B)
• Advanced computer literacy (MS Office)
• ERP system experience (SAP preferred)
• Strong SAP PP/MM/CO knowledge
• Advanced Excel and analytical tools
• Strong costing and variance analysis capability

Leadership Competencies

• Problem solving
• Accountability
• Team leadership
• Operational excellence
• Customer focus
• Business and financial acumen
• Relationship building
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams
• Strong communication skills
• Experience in operational problem-solving

Technical & Functional Competencies

• Strong MS Office and Excel skills (large data handling)
• Understanding of financial processes and reconciliations
• Ability to implement financial processes and controls
• Knowledge of accounting principles and legislation
• VAT application in transaction processing

KEY CUSTOMER INTERACTIONS

Internal

• Finance Manager (Mill Based)
• Human Capital
• Financial Manager – Operations
• General Manager and Mill HODs
• Production and Operations
• Finance teams at other mills and head office
• Senior executives

External

• Auditors

KEY PERFORMANCE OUTPUT AREAS

1. Production Financial Performance & Analytics

• Generate daily, weekly, and monthly insights on raw materials, utilities, chemicals, yields, losses, and efficiencies
• Perform operational financial analysis on bottlenecks, waste, and cost variances
• Build and maintain real-time dashboards
• Report manufacturing efficiencies by the third working day
• Partner with operations to identify cost-saving opportunities

2. Smart Data Acquisition & Automation

• Reduce manual processing through automation and validation controls
• Utilize SAP and digital tools for reporting
• Develop automated controls for production and stock movements
• Support ad hoc and sustainability reporting

3. Production Costing & BOM Governance

• Oversee BOM accuracy and change control
• Support standard costing processes
• Ensure material master data integrity

4. Stock, Consumption, and Movement Integrity

• Ensure accuracy of materials, WIP, and finished goods
• Perform variance reviews and escalate anomalies

5. Month-End Accountability

• Lead production month-end close processes
• Ensure second working day close
• Validate CO-PA impacts and accruals

6. Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence

• Apply continuous improvement methodologies (A3, RIE, root cause analysis)
• Drive automation and standardization
• Maintain internal controls and SOPs

7. Stakeholder Leadership & Influence

• Lead performance review meetings
• Provide financial coaching
• Translate insights into operational actions

ADDITIONAL ROLE DETAILS

• Overtime required during deadlines and stock counts
• Early stock counts (06:00 on the 1st of each month)
• Work under pressure during month-end and year-end
• Support automation and ERP improvements
• High influence on plant operational results
• Direct impact on EBITDA
• Requires strong manufacturing and analytics expertise
• Drives cross-functional collaboration and decision-making

STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT

This role directly supports:

• The company’s strategic themes (Operational Performance, Supply Chain Optimisation, Digital & AI Enablement)
• Key operational levers (capacity, sustainability, people performance)
• Production efficiency, waste reduction, and cost leadership
• Digital transformation and financial capability at plant level