Finance Manager - Manufacturing, Olifantsfontein, Ekurhuleni

Company Introduction

Signal Hill Products (SHP) is a dynamic company at the forefront of the ever-evolving beverage industry, dedicated to crafting, producing, selling, and delivering innovative and exciting beer and alcoholic beverage brands. SHP is committed to providing consumers with high-quality beverage options that meet their needs, preferences, and tastes.

Overall Responsibility

The Finance Manager – Manufacturing is responsible for the full financial management, control, and performance reporting of the manufacturing operation. The role partners closely with Plant Management to drive cost efficiency, margin improvement, capital discipline, and strong financial governance while ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant financial reporting.

Key Accountabilities and Focus Areas

Focus Area 1: Financial Management & Control

Full P&L ownership for the manufacturing sites, including cost of production and fixed overheads.

Prepare, review, and manage monthly management accounts, forecasts, and annual budgets.

Ensure accurate inventory valuation, WIP accounting, and cost absorption in line with accounting standards.

Maintain robust internal controls and compliance with company policies and statutory requirements.

Lead month-end close processes and ensure timely reporting.

Focus Area 2: Costing & Manufacturing Performance

Oversee standard costing, variance analysis (material, labour, overhead, yield, efficiency).

Partner with Operations to identify and deliver cost reduction and productivity initiatives.

Analyse production KPIs including cost per unit, conversion cost, waste, scrap, and yields.

Support pricing, margin analysis, and new product costings.

Focus Area 3: Business Intelligence & Analytics

Own and govern manufacturing financial and operational data to ensure accuracy, consistency, and reliability.

Design, develop, and maintain BI dashboards and reports for manufacturing performance (cost, efficiency, yield, downtime, inventory).

Translate complex data into clear insights and actionable recommendations for operational leaders.

Drive automation of reporting and analytics through BI tools (e.g. Power BI, Tableau, SAP BW).

Enable predictive and trend analysis to support demand planning, capacity utilisation, and cost forecasting.

Establish KPI frameworks and performance scorecards aligned to manufacturing objectives.

Champion data-driven decision-making across the manufacturing site.

Focus Area 4: Business Partnering & Team Leadership

Act as a trusted finance partner to the Technical Director, Plant Manager and Operations leadership.

Provide financial insight to support production planning, make-or-buy decisions, and capacity utilisation.

Support continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, TPM where applicable).

Challenge operational assumptions with data-driven insights

Lead, coach, and develop the site finance team.

Ensure clear roles, performance objectives, and succession planning.

Foster a strong control, accountability, and continuous improvement culture.

Focus Area 5: Capital Expenditure & Asset Management and Inventory & Working Capital

Manage CAPEX budgeting, approvals, tracking, and post-investment reviews.

Ensure accurate fixed asset registers, depreciation, and asset controls.

Support business cases for new equipment, upgrades, and automation projects.

Drive inventory optimisation and working capital improvements.

Oversee stock counts, reconciliations, and obsolescence provisions.

Ensure alignment between production, procurement, and finance on inventory targets.

Act as a trusted finance partner to the Technical Director, Plant Manager and Operations leadership.

Provide financial insight to support production planning, make-or-buy decisions, and capacity utilisation.

Support continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, TPM where applicable).

Challenge operational assumptions with data-driven insights

Focus Area 6: Governance, Risk & Compliance

Ensure compliance with IFRS, tax requirements, and internal audit standards.

Coordinate external and internal audits for the manufacturing site.

Maintain risk registers and ensure mitigation plans are in place.

Key Performance Indicators

Accurate and timely monthly financial results and forecasts.

Clear operational cost visibility and actionable variance analysis.

Improved manufacturing margins and cost efficiencies.

Strong inventory control and working capital performance.

Robust financial governance and audit outcomes.

Accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting

Manufacturing cost performance vs budget and standards

Inventory accuracy and working capital improvements

Audit and compliance outcomes

Effectiveness of operational decision support

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, or related field.

Professional qualification (CA(SA), CIMA, ACCA) CA (SA)preferred and advantageous

Minimum of 5 to 8 years’ experience in manufacturing or FMCG finance, and a minimum of 3 to 5 years’ experience at operational Plant level.

Strong experience in cost accounting, inventory management, and operational finance.

ERP system experience (e.g. Syspro, SAP, Oracle, Dynamics).

Skills and Competencies

Strong analytical and commercial acumen

Manufacturing cost and process understanding

Business partnering and stakeholder management

Attention to detail with a strong control mindset

Leadership and people development skills

Ability to work in a fast-paced, operational environment

Reporting Line

Reports to: Manufacturing Director

Direct Reports: Plant Finance (Plant FM, Controllers, Cost Accountants, Procurement)

NB: Specific duties/responsibilities will vary from time to time: the above list is intended to indicate the general nature of the post and is not exhaustive. The post holder will be expected to be flexible in supporting the business by undertaking any other responsibilities which are aligned with this job level.