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Location: Nigel

Reporting to: Finance Manager / Chief Financial Officer

Position Overview

The Senior Accountant will manage and oversee the financial accounting and reporting processes for a steel manufacturing business. This includes ensuring accurate financial reporting, implementing strong internal controls, analyzing production costs, and driving compliance with statutory and industry regulations. Given the capital- and energy-intensive nature of the steel industry, the Senior Accountant will play a pivotal role in monitoring raw material costs (scrap, billets, ferroalloys), energy consumption, furnace operations, rolling mill expenses, and workforce-related costs within a unionized environment. The position requires both technical accounting expertise and a strong understanding of steel industry dynamics to provide financial insights that support operational efficiency, profitability, and long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Accounting & Reporting

• Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with IFRS.

• Oversee month-end and year-end closing activities, including journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, and provisions.

• Maintain the general ledger and ensure all transactions are accurately recorded.

• Conduct variance analysis against budgets and forecasts, providing explanations for fluctuations in raw material, labour, and energy costs.

• Consolidate financial results across different departments (furnaces, rolling mills, finishing, distribution).

• Prepare board packs and financial presentations for senior management.

2. Cost Accounting & Production Analysis

• Implement and maintain standard costing systems tailored to steel production processes.

• Analyse cost drivers such as:

• Raw materials: scrap, billets, ferroalloys, fluxes.

• Energy: electricity for Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF), induction furnaces, natural gas, oxygen supply.

• Labour: direct and indirect, including overtime and union-related pay scales.

• Maintenance: planned and unplanned downtime of furnaces and rolling mills.

• Prepare cost-per-ton reports for steel output and track production efficiencies.

• Partner with operations managers to identify cost-reduction opportunities and efficiency gains.

3. Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Planning

• Prepare annual budgets and rolling forecasts for operating and capital expenditure.

• Monitor and control variances between actual vs. budgeted production and operating costs.

• Model the financial impact of fluctuations in raw material prices and energy tariffs.

• Provide input into long-term financial planning, capex projects (new furnaces, rolling mill upgrades), and expansion feasibility studies.

4. Compliance, Audit & Governance

• Ensure compliance with SARS (VAT, PAYE, Income Tax, EMP201/501 submissions)

. • Manage external audits and coordinate audit schedules, ensuring a clean audit report.

• Implement and monitor internal financial controls to prevent fraud, errors, and misstatements.

• Maintain compliance with company policies, statutory requirements, and OHSA-related financial obligations.

5. Treasury & Cashflow Management

• Monitor daily cash flow, working capital, and liquidity.

• Oversee bank reconciliations, supplier payments, and customer receipts.

• Manage credit control and liaise with debtors to improve collections.

• Assist in securing trade finance facilities, import/export financing for raw materials, and forex management (if applicable).

6. Team Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Supervise and mentor junior accountants, accounts clerks, and finance support staff.

• Provide financial guidance to operational managers, production planners, and procurement teams.

• Act as a finance business partner to the operations team, linking financial performance to production realities.

Key Requirements Qualifications

• BCom Accounting / Finance Degree (essential).

• BCom Honours / CA(SA) / CIMA (advantageous).

• Additional training in cost accounting or manufacturing finance highly desirable. Experience

• 5–8 years’ progressive accounting experience, with at least 3 years in a manufacturing or steel/metal industry.

• Proven track record in costing, variance analysis, and financial reporting for a heavy industrial environment.

• Strong exposure to ERP systems (Sage 50 and Sage 200, SAP, Syspro, Oracle, or similar).

• Prior experience supporting external audits and financial compliance processes. Skills & Competencies

• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, financial models).

• Strong understanding of IFRS and South African tax legislation.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Strong communication and negotiation skills, especially when liaising with production managers, suppliers, and auditors.

• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced, production-driven environment.

• High levels of accuracy, attention to detail, and financial discipline.

Core Competencies

• Commercial Awareness – understands how raw material costs, energy prices, and production efficiency impact profitability.

• Strategic Thinking – supports long-term financial sustainability and growth projects.

• Integrity & Ethics – always maintains financial discipline and compliance.

• Leadership – ability to manage and mentor finance teams effectively.

• Continuous Improvement – drives automation, process improvements, and financial efficiency in reporting and analysis.

The Dispatch Supervisor is responsible for overseeing daily dispatch and receiving operations, ensuring accurate, timely, and efficient movement of materials and products. The incumbent will coordinate dispatch activities, manage documentation, supervise loading and receiving processes, and maintain inventory accuracy while ensuring compliance with company procedures and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate daily dispatch and receiving operations.
• Ensure all outgoing deliveries are prepared, loaded, and dispatched accurately and on time.
• Verify and process delivery notes, invoices, dispatch documentation, and receiving records.
• Monitor incoming goods and ensure accurate receiving, inspection, and recording of stock.
• Maintain accurate inventory records and reconcile stock discrepancies.
• Coordinate with production, warehouse, and transport teams to ensure smooth workflow.
• Monitor vehicle loading activities and ensure adherence to safety and quality standards.
• Prepare and submit daily, weekly, and monthly dispatch reports.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and health and safety regulations.
• Address operational issues and implement corrective actions where necessary.
• Train and guide dispatch personnel to achieve operational objectives.

Minimum Requirements

• Grade 12 / Matric certificate.
• 1–2 years' experience in dispatch, receiving, warehouse, or logistics operations.
• Previous experience within the steel industry is preferred, particularly with companies such as RMS or similar steel manufacturing/distribution environments.
• Good understanding of dispatch and receiving processes.
• Computer literate with proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and inventory/ERP systems.
• Strong administrative and documentation skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving abilities.

Preferred Competencies

• Knowledge of steel products and related logistics processes.
• Leadership and supervisory skills.
• Inventory control and stock management experience.
• Strong organizational and planning abilities.
• Commitment to safety and operational excellence.

Salary

• Negotiable