Plant Controller

Manage and direct the financial and accounting affairs of the LiquiBox operations in South Africa and provide daily on-site financial support by partnering with operations and functional leadership teams.

Lead the administration of accounting and financial activities, including cash management, preparation of interim and final financial statements with supporting schedules, analyzing monthly results, preparing forecasts, and leading the annual budget process for the reporting entity’s management. Ensure cash flow optimization, cost control and company profitability through continuous process improvements. Responsible for monthly delivery of financial information to corporate and statutory reporting to the regulatory agencies in compliance with the company's financial policies, internal controls and accounting practices, and with local requirements. Responsible for the maintenance of the company’s fiscal records and registrations, Supervise control of bank accounts, foreign exchange exposure and transactions, cost accounting, and compliance with accounting regulations and statutory filings.

**Responsibilities**:

- Maintain and reconcile general ledger accounts on a recurring basis, including posting monthly journal entries, completing account reconciliations, providing variance analysis and investigating discrepancies.
- Conduct month and year end closing, reconcile and balance all accounts and review monthly journal entries
- Assist in establishing accurate and timely plant level financial statements
- Maintain the company's system of accounts and bank accounts, and keep books and records on all company transactions, cash and assets. Maintain these books and records in compliance with all applicable tax laws and in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) Ensures appropriate internal controls are in place and supports effective and efficient annual corporate and statutory audits
- Assist RM/MD/GM with weekly and/ or monthly submission to COO of operational targets and provide explanations for variances to those targets as part of the standard plant management reporting
- Identify possible weaknesses and implement process/system solutions to ensure compliance with control procedures
- Direct and coordinate the preparation of the budget and financial forecasts, institutes and maintain other planning and control procedures (including the cost accounting system) and analyze and report variances
- Coordinate and direct financial audits ensuring proper interface with external auditors, timely completion of all audit procedures, and submission to investors according to the Articles of Association
- Coordinate all finance activities with department leaders including production, maintenances, sales, engineering, procurement, HR, and IT
- Focus on operational productivity improvements in terms of spending, resource planning, productivity initiatives, and related manufacturing variances vs. standards costs
- Pro-actively propose process improvements to reduce costs and increase productivity
- Review and analyze monthly results in terms of sales, margins, costs, cash flow, and capital spending vs. targets. Identify specific initiatives to improve productivity
- Outline working capital initiatives to ensure we meet established targets
- Manage a rolling forecast outlining developments for sales, costs, EBITDA, and working capital performance
- Prepare & review monthly management reporting package, identifying improvement areas to drive appropriate action
- Monitor standard costs for accuracy, driving cost revaluations
- Provides the cost accounting expertise for the manufacturing operations
- Support in the collections of customer accounts receivables on an as needed basis
- Execute payments to vendors based on required payment terms
- Lead the physical inventory counts approving book to physical adjustments
- Review all Capital Appropriation requests, ensuring adequate ROI is achieved
- Various ad hoc business analysis
- Supervise accounting, administrative and other staff ensuring effective and timely results that comply with all domestic and international laws, accepted financial principals and internal controls
- Evaluate and recommend insurance coverage for protection against property losses and potential liabilities, process claims, and support risk reduction initiatives
- Manage the performance of the Finance and Accounts team

**Qualifications, Skills and Knowledge**:

- BCom in Accounting or Finance, CPA, CA (SA)
- Strong computer skills including intermediate or higher MS Excel capability. Experience with ERP systems (Oracle a plus)
- 10+ years of work experience focused in a senior Finance or Controlling role in a manufacturing environment
- Cost accounting, budgeting, forecasting, experience; knowledge of financial processes, reporting and internal controls
- Experience leading and working within a high performing team, multi-tasking projects in an efficient manner
- Active Listenin